The Darfur Network for Human Rights strongly condemns the heinous assassination of prominent merchant Jamal Omar Babiker, aged 45 and widely known as “Quds”, on the afternoon of Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur. The victim was shot and killed by masked gunmen driving an unmarked salon car that bore no license plates.

According to eyewitnesses, the assailants intercepted Mr. Babiker near Ed Daein Road, in the eastern section of Nyala’s main market, at approximately 2:00 PM. Following a verbal altercation, after the victim refused to comply with their demand to accompany them, he was shot three times at close range, resulting in his immediate death.

This targeted killing comes just days after the RSF launch of a security campaign referred to as the “Negative Phenomena Crackdown,” which was purportedly aimed at disarming civilians, confiscating unlicensed vehicles, and removing militarized actors from urban centers.

Despite these announced measures, the murder took place in broad daylight, in a densely populated commercial area, and under conditions of de facto control by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This raises serious and urgent concerns about:

The efficacy and sincerity of recent security operations are being questioned, as the resurgence of organized criminal activity in the urban centers of Nyala city raises concerns. And the continued failure to protect civilians under RSF-dominated local governance.