TOKYO: More than ten months have elapsed since Sudan’s foreign-aided Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) rebellion erupted in a shaky, reckless attempt to take power by force after rejecting a fundamental and revolutionary demand to integrate the RSF paramilitary group into the Sudanese armed forces — highlighted in the framework agreement signed in December 2022.

The RSF’s well-documented and widely condemned blatant atrocities have not only caused lasting consequences for the Sudanese people but also created a ripple effect on the entire region.

According to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) report issued in December 2023, nearly half of the total population in Sudan is in need, reaching an estimated 24.8 million. Of these, 26% are women, 48% are children, and 15% are people with disabilities. Approximately 9 million individuals were displaced, the highest recorded worldwide.

In addition to the above, more than 12,000 individuals were killed, and blatant gender-based violence against women and girls were carried out as well as widespread looting. These atrocities by the RSF reflect the volatility of the situation in Sudan.

The RSF’s well-documented and widely condemned blatant atrocities have not only caused lasting consequences for the Sudanese people but also created a ripple effect on the entire region.

Ali Mohamed

The total amount required for humanitarian aid is estimated at 2.7 billion dollars, of which only 3.3% has been met. This highlights the gap in providing those in need with the necessary protection, food, shelter, and other necessities, especially those most vulnerable.

A poignant comparison made by some Sudanese activists residing in the United States regarding the humanitarian situation and responses between the cases of Sudan and Ukraine has revealed that despite the severity of the situation in Sudan — the number of individuals in need and the number of internally displaced persons, the latter exceeds 9 million, compared to 3.67 million in Ukraine. The number of fatalities of more than 12 thousand, is comparable between both countries. The aid provided to Ukraine amounts to 77 billion US dollars, whereas Sudan receives only 0.84 billion.

Factual and technical reports that accurately portray the scale of RSF atrocities in Sudan are categorized as ethnic cleansing and war crimes. The final report of the Panel of Experts on Sudan, for instance, reveals that the RSF and its affiliated militia routinely violated international humanitarian law; some of these violations may be classified as war crimes or crimes against humanity. The report further indicated that the RSF and its affiliated militias targeted IDP-associated gathering spots, civilian networks, and medical establishments and committed sexual assaults against females and minors.

The Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the situation in Sudan has revealed that RSF has also committed indiscriminate attacks in densely populated areas, including attacks on protected areas that house hospitals, markets, and churches. The report also showed that The Rapid Support Forces had implemented a strategy of deploying civilians in open areas adjacent to their locations, primarily to defend themselves from attacks by the Sudanese Armed Forces.

According to the same report, the Rapid Support Forces and their allied militias carried out at least ten attacks against civilians in El Geneina and surrounding areas between April 24 and June 16, including attacks that targeted the Masalit community.

Khamis Abbakar, the Governor of West Darfur and a prominent Masalit and leader of the Sudan Alliance was killed on June 14 while in the custody of the Rapid Support Forces in El Geneina.

The report has documented instances of violence based on gender and sexual orientation by the Rapid Support Forces and their allied Arab militias in West Darfur between May and November. The Office of Human Rights has received reports indicating that women and girls, including a significant number from the Masalit community, have been the victims of sexual violence and other Sudanese have been looted, detained or have simply disappeared.

Despite the grave violations of civilian rights as documented in the international reports and the refusal of the RSF to adhere to all humanitarian and cease-fire measures, the international community has yet to take any concrete steps towards isolating and classifying the RSF as a terrorist organization

Ali Mohamed

Recently, the RSF Militia cut off communications in Sudan, which increased the suffering of citizens who depend heavily on electronic financial transfers after the banks stopped working. The recent violations by the RSF in Aljazira state are incomprehensible.

All initiatives aimed at alleviating the humanitarian situation in the country have been accepted by the Government of Sudan. From the second day of the RSF rebellion until the IGAD initiative, Sudan’s neighbors led by Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, as well as the United States of America, co-facilitated talks in Jeddah, resulting in the May 11, 2023, Jeddah Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan.

Regrettably, all initiatives were disregarded by the RSF. They refused to leave the homes they had seized from Sudanese citizens or other civilian facilities such as hospitals, as stipulated in the declaration.

Despite the grave violations of civilian rights as documented in the international reports and the refusal of the RSF to adhere to all humanitarian and cease-fire measures, the international community has yet to take any concrete steps towards isolating and classifying the RSF as a terrorist organization. Even more disappointingly, they have not taken any measures to halt the military and logistical supply to the RSF, thereby prolonging the tragic consequences of the violence.

To conclude, it is imperative that the international community comprehends the pivotal political, security, and economic role that Sudan has consistently played throughout its history, not only within the region but also beyond. A more robust and stable Sudan, with borders to the Red Sea stretching over 650 kilometers, would play a pivotal role in ensuring the security and safety of international navigation in the Red Sea, particularly during this challenging period when global trade is encountering significant obstacles in the region. The RSF has impeded the flow of trade between Sudan and many of its partners, who are now experiencing a shortage of many products that used to be imported from Sudan.

• Ali Mohamed is the chargé d’affaires of Sudan to Japan