RSF arrest civilians in Kreinek, West Darfur
Paramilitary aims to prevent reporting on human rights violations
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have carrying out arrests among civilians in the states of West and Central Darfur, detaining at least 13 people since last month, five of whom have been released so far.
Local sources from the Kreinek area in West Darfur told Sudan War Monitor that the Rapid Support Forces launched a massive arrest campaign these days, targeting young people and activists on charges of transmitting reports of RSF violations in the region. At least six young men were arrested as of Thursday morning, February 15, while other sources said that the number of detainees exceeded 10.
The sources reported that the Rapid Support Forces are monitoring the Internet communications hub in the town, where Starlink devices are used to provide the Internet, amid a complete interruption of the telephone network.
RSF have terrorized the Kreinek area for many years. They participated with Rizeigat Arab tribesmen in a massacre in 2022 that killed over 200 people. Thousands fled, and the remaining residents live in fear of such violence.
Arrests of Fur leaders in Garsila
Meanwhile, 110 km to the south, the Rapid Support Forces arrested a number of Fur notables in the Garsila area of Central Darfur state last month in connection with a murder case committed by some army personnel against three members of Arab tribes in the year 2019. One of the detainees stated that the arrests targeted the Native Administration who had previously committed to paying blood money for the dead after confirming that the army personnel who opened fire on the victims were members of the Fur tribe, and that the people had previously seen that the matter should be dealt with in the tribal framework instead of exacting revenge.
A case was opened through the military judiciary to prosecute army personnel who were carrying out their duty at the time.
The latest arrest of Fur notables therefore was an attempt to compel the payment of this blood money. The sources indicated that limited contacts had taken place with the RSF, who turn promised to release the detainees and pay the blood money involved, which amounted to about 96,000 pounds in total, including 76,000 for the costs of litigation procedures, according to the families of the dead. Two of the seven detainees were released, while two remain in detention.
Hunger in Kreinek
Meanwhile, tribal leaders from Kreinek have reported deteriorating humanitarian conditions amid a sharp increase in food price.
As reported by Darfur 24, the head of the Native Administration in the locality, Ahmed Azza Adam, said that citizens are living in famine-like conditions due to the lack of food and high prices, explaining that the price of a sack of millet has reached 60,000 pounds, and that some citizens have begun eating leftover peanut oil “Ambaz,” which is used as animal feed. He called on United Nations agencies and humanitarian organizations to intervene urgently and deliver aid to save the situation.
Likewise, another Native Administration leader and leader of one of the nomadic tribes, Omda Youssef Hamed, said that the Kreinek community has become isolated and is living in deteriorating humanitarian conditions.
He pointed out that farmers were unable to plant during the previous two seasons due to security incidents, which led to a lack of food grains.
The issue also reached the attention of the RSF, which recently carried out a visit to farmers in the Kreinek area, publishing this video in which they reassured that it would be safe to cultivate. Farmers in this video said their cultivation had been disrupted by insecurity in the past few years.