Statement from Government of Darfur Region
We have been closely monitoring the arrival of a significant number of Trucks carrying humanitarian Aid to some of the areas affected by the ongoing war in the country since mid-April of last year. We praise and welcome the entry of this Aid, and we reiterate our gratitude and appreciation for the efforts made by UN agencies and international humanitarian organizations for their continuous dedication to providing Aid to those affected people in the Region.
However, we would like to point out that the Government of the Darfur Region has repeatedly attempted to facilitate the entry of this aid, but the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia has shamelessly seized, confiscated, obstructed, and looted it, as occurred in the area between Kass and Zalingei. The RSF continues these actions up to the time of writing this statement.
EX: Humanitarian aid from the World Health Organization (WHO) was confiscated by the RSF militia in Al- Kuma Town, as it was on its way to the city of El Fasher, Kutum locality, and the Zamzam camp for displaced persons. Similarly, aid from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has also faced obstruction and delay by the militia and has been held in Mellit for more than a month and a half.
Moreover, medical aid from Doctors Without Borders France (MSF – France) destined for the Zamzam camp in North Darfur for displaced persons and other locations has been either seized or obstructed, preventing it from reaching its intended destinations. The RSF has even threatened to withdraw protection for these supplies if they attempt to continue their journey through areas under its control.
Despite these severe human rights violations, the RSF leader, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, issued a weak statement ordering his forces to respect international humanitarian law, human rights, and protect civilians.
What kind of respect for human rights are you talking about when your forces are looting this aid and assaulting the staff responsible for delivering it? What protection of civilians do you speak of when your forces are killing and torturing innocent people, unarmed citizens, seizing their lands, properties, farms, and crops? Even the food aid and life-saving medicines provided by organizations have been seized by your forces, left in under the sun to spoil or expire, or at worst, distributed selectively based on ethnic affiliation to those who support RSF actions and align with the militia, while preventing other innocent citizens from receiving such assistance.
Calling for respect for international law and human rights while simultaneously bombing and shelling populated cities, hospitals, health centers, international and UN offices, humanitarian warehouses, public markets, and displaced persons’ camps is a schizophrenic behavior that deserves to be studied.
In conclusion, the Government of the Darfur Region would like to point out that the terrorist Rapid Support Forces militia, following the statement of its leader, is now preparing to launch a massive attack with all its forces and artillery on the city of El Fasher. Human rights organizations should be aware that there is a vast difference between words and actions—they speak in the name of human rights and civilians while preparing to invade, loot, and brutalize them.
Therefore, we demand immediate action from all human rights organizations and the United Nations to stop these historical violations and absurdities against civilians. Rest assured that the Armed Forces, joint forces of the armed struggle movements , armed struggle movements, and the mobilized forces in El Fasher are capable of protecting the city from any treacherous mercenary.
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Media_Government_of_Dafur_Region
Sudad September 2, 2024