April 6, 2025—The Darfur Network for Human Rights (DNHR) strongly condemns the renewed rocket attacks launched yesterday, April 5, 2025, by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) against the Zamzam Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camp in North Darfur. These attacks have further endangered the lives of thousands of civilians who are already enduring unimaginable hardship under an ongoing siege.
Since May 2024, the RSF has imposed a devastating blockade on El Fasher and its surrounding areas, including Zamzam Camp. This deliberate siege has severely restricted the movement of people and the entry of essential humanitarian supplies. In recent weeks, the blockade has intensified to total isolation, cutting off access to food, drinking water, medicine, and life-saving humanitarian aid.
As a result, tens of thousands of displaced persons in Zamzam Camp are now facing extreme starvation, dehydration, and life-threatening conditions. The population, which includes a disproportionate number of women, children, and the elderly, has been left to suffer in isolation as the RSF continues its campaign of violence and deprivation.
The rocket attacks and blockades are not isolated incidents; they are part of a systematic strategy of collective punishment targeting civilians. These actions constitute grave violations of international humanitarian law, including:
• The principle of distinction prohibits targeting civilians and civilian objects.
• The prohibition of indiscriminate attacks, which has been blatantly violated through shelling of IDP camps.
• The use of starvation as a method of warfare was outlawed under Article 54 of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions.
• The obstruction of humanitarian aid violates both treaty law and customary international humanitarian law.
• And collective punishment is prohibited under Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
The Darfur Network for Human Rights urgently calls on the international community—including the United Nations, African Union, and international humanitarian and legal bodies—to:
1. Condemn these attacks and the ongoing siege in the strongest terms.
2. Exert diplomatic pressure on all parties to immediately allow unimpeded humanitarian access to affected areas.
3. Initiate independent investigations into violations of international law and ensure those responsible are held to account.
4. Mobilize emergency assistance to prevent a looming famine and catastrophic loss of civilian life in Zamzam Camp and beyond.
Time is running out. Every hour of inaction costs more innocent lives. The people of Zamzam Camp and all civilians across Darfur deserve immediate protection, access to life-saving aid, and justice.
