On December 6, 2023, in Central Darfur, Zalingei locality, 22 trucks with food relief supplies carrying 870 tons were entered by Islamic Relief World IRW distributions through HAC of Central Darfur.

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) ordered the condition that the displaced people of the Al-Hasahisa camp be returned. After that, food will be distributed to them. As a result, relief supplies were stored in the warehouses of the Al-Hasahisa camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs).

The condition was explained in a video interview with the leader of the Rapid Support Forces in central Darfur, Al-Shartay, and Ali Yogoub.

According to an eyewitness report received by the Darfur Network for Human Rights (DNHR), the problems faced by the people in the Darfur region are not just limited to food shortages. The report suggests that the main issue is the lack of protection provided to civilians and the continuous violation of human rights by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the allied militias. The eyewitness has appealed to the international community to intervene immediately to safeguard the interests of the people in the region. The eyewitness also warned against not trusting the Darfur region’s RSF and allied militias.

However, the internally displaced persons were denied permission to return to the camp. They looted their properties, destroyed their homes, and eradicated them; they lost a lack of trust in the RSF. Due to clashes between both sides of RSF and SAF on 15 April, RSF with allied militias targeted this camp, which resulted in more than 300 innocent IDPs killed, including wounded and sexual violence.

It’s great to see a blog that advocates for applying International Humanitarian Law (IHL) in real-time to influence behavior and protect civilians. The blog emphasizes the responsibilities of all parties, including the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), under the Geneva Conventions to ensure compliance with IHL for protecting civilians.

The RSF was considering relocating Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to the Hashasa camp, which could be a potentially dangerous location. The reason for this was that the RSF headquarters were located about 200 meters from the Hashasa camp, and there was a risk of SAF airstrikes targeting the IDPs upon their return. According to International Humanitarian Law (IHL), civilians mustn’t target or attack.

More information is available from Mohammed Hassan, Executive Director, DNHR, by email: [email protected] and by phone: (+256)752792112 or (+249)924638036.