Disturbing Footage Unveils Horrific Acts Targeting African Ethnic Groups in Darfur
Disturbing videos reveal horrifying atrocities against African ethnic groups in Sudan's Darfur region, where they are being targeted and rounded up by paramilitary forces and Arab militias These verified and geolocated images and footage, recently surfaced online, depict a distressing surge in killings and a distressing pattern of abuse
Videos and images that have been verified and geolocated by CNN suggest that members of African ethnic groups in Sudan's Darfur region are being rounded up by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and Arab militias. Over the weekend, a video surfaced online, specifically geolocated to Ardamata, an outlying district in El Geneina city in West Darfur state, where men in military attire are heard using racist slurs against the captives, referring to them as "dogs" and instructing them to "gather here".
In another cut of the video, the same men in fatigues can be seen whipping the men. At one point the men appear to be forced to run down the street. A man fires shots.
A picture taken on June 16, 2023, shows bodies strewn outdoors near houses in the West Darfur state capital El Geneina, amid ongoing fighting between two generals in war-torn Sudan.
AFP/Getty Images
The UN is currently investigating the existence of 13 mass graves in the Darfur region of Sudan. Another video taken close to the first one shows men wearing light-colored fatigues with the RSF logo, seemingly in control of a group of men on the ground. In this video, the word "liquidation" is mentioned along with the command to "slay them."
The RSF on Saturday declared its capture of the primary military base in El Geneina, specifically, the 15th division headquarters—near the location where the aforementioned videos were recorded. According to a Reuters correspondent, on Tuesday, three individuals who were escaping from Darfur to Chad recounted witnessing acts of violence committed by Arab militias and RSF troops, specifically targeting the Masalit ethnic community in Ardamata.
"Disturbing reports and images are emerging from Ardamata, West Darfur, revealing assassinations, severe violations, and brutal massacres of innocent civilians. These atrocities have occurred following the RSF's assumption of control over the area. It is crucial for those in positions of power to uphold international humanitarian law, safeguard the well-being of civilians, uphold the principle of the rule of law, and ensure unrestricted humanitarian access to vulnerable individuals," stated Toby Harward, the United Nations' deputy humanitarian coordinator in Sudan, in a message posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. CNN has reached out to the RSF for their response.
New surge in killings
Amidst the largest surge in displacement seen in months, aid agencies working in Chad report that refugees from Sudan have been attesting to a recent upsurge in violence and conflict in West Darfur.
The intensity of ethnically motivated killings has risen since conflict erupted in mid-April between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF, report witnesses and aid organizations active in the area.
In September, the United Nations human rights body (UNJHRO) disclosed that it had received information about at least 13 mass graves in El Geneina suspected to hold civilians belonging to the Masalit tribe. These individuals were reportedly victims of attacks carried out by the RSF and Arab militias aligned with them.
According to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), there has been a significant surge in the number of people arriving in the eastern region of Chad due to intensified fighting in El Geneina. Nabila Abdel Rahman, a Sudanese woman, informed Reuters that their team in Ardmata has experienced casualties and displacement, with women losing their money and belongings and being unable to seek refuge.
According to MSF, a young man aged 27 reported at their hospital in Adré that he had escaped from El Geneina along with 16 others. Unfortunately, their group was ambushed while en route to Chad, resulting in the loss of all members except for him. He managed to survive by pretending to be deceased. The MSF news release stated that eventually, a fresh wave of refugees arrived and assisted him in reaching the border. He sustained several bullet wounds on his hands and legs.
A pattern of abuse
The incidents described to aid agencies follow a pattern of similar alleged abuses by the RSF since the conflict began, according to multiple CNN reports.
Stephanie Hoffmann, the outreach coordinator for MSF, reported that in the first three days of November, there has been a higher influx of Sudanese refugees compared to the entire previous month. Approximately 7,000 individuals have crossed the border.
During her recent visit to Sudan, Dominique Hyde, the director of external relations for the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), observed a significant increase in human suffering.
In the Darfur region, the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and RSF has resulted in an increased number of people being displaced. Thousands are facing challenges in finding shelter, forcing many to resort to sleeping under trees along the roadside, as stated in a news release by UNCHR.
This picture taken on September 17 shows a raging fire at the Greater Nile Petroleum Oil Company Tower in Khartoum.
AFP/Getty Images
Hyde expressed on X, formerly Twitter, that Khartoum is witnessing landmark buildings engulfed in flames, accompanied by rampant child malnutrition, cases of women being subjected to rape, prevailing violence, and entire families forced to sleep outdoors without shelter.
According to UNHCR, 4.5 million people have been displaced within Sudan, and approximately 1.2 million have sought refuge in neighboring countries since the outbreak of the war in April. The US State Department recently declared that the SAF and RSF have pledged to support enhanced humanitarian aid and enact measures to build trust during their discussions in Jeddah.
The State Department released a joint statement from the talks, calling upon the SAF and RSF to prioritize the Sudanese people, bring an end to the unnecessary war through negotiation, and implement a ceasefire. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, IGAD, and the African Union also supported this call.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has urged for an "immediate halt to the assaults" in El Fasher, North Darfur, following reports of an impending major attack by the Sudanese Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Expressing deep concern, Blinken emphasized that such an attack would put civilians at grave risk, including the hundreds of thousands of displaced persons who have sought refuge in El Fasher after fleeing from other areas. His remarks were made in a press statement on November 2.
CNNs Sarah Dean and David McKenzie reported from South Africa and Allegra Goodwin from London.
