02/01/2025
Series of Human Rights Situation Report
Sharq Alneel Human Rights Observatory (SAO)
Khartoum, Sudan
December 2024
🔹Introduction:
At Sharq Alneel Human Rights Observatory (SAO), we have diligently worked to monitor and document the human rights situation in Sharq Alneel Locality, aiming to record violations against citizens, prevent perpetrators from escaping accountability, and preserve the memory of the atrocities of the April 15 war for future generations.
We have attempted to publish human rights situation reports on a monthly basis at the locality level, documenting various types of violations. While we succeeded partially, we faced significant challenges that hindered consistency, including power, communication, and internet outages in Khartoum State for several months, while others stem from the Observatory's limited logistical capabilities. Consequently. However, this report attempts to reflect a comprehensive picture of human rights violations by the end of this year. The report seeks to highlight new patterns of human rights violations, humanitarian situations, crises, and disasters. While higher rates of the ongoing violations have been rapidly increasing, we succeed in exerting significant efforts to monitor and document violations that are outlined in previous reports—including cases of extrajudicial killings, aerial bombardments of populated areas, looting and theft, enforced disappearances and kidnappings for ransom, arbitrary detention and torture, armed assaults on neighborhoods, forced displacement of citizens, deliberate destruction of services and infrastructure, and racial discrimination—recent months have seen the emergence of new patterns of violations.
🔹Patterns and Scale of Violations:
1. Forced Displacement of Citizens:
In the last three months, the Sharq Alneel Human Rights Observatory (SAO) documented mass forced displacement operations carried out by armed groups affiliated with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) against residents in areas such as Wad Abu Saleh, Seyal Al-Faki Saad, Al-Dreesab, Sheikh Al-Ameen, and Al-Bayada. These acts constitute crimes against humanity and exacerbate the suffering of civilians amidst the ongoing war.
The (SAO) team on the ground observed systematic practices by RSF-affiliated groups in areas such as Soba Sharig and Al Samra, which can be described as a "different pattern of displacement." These groups force residents to get out of their areas by stripping them of basic necessities, looting available goods, preventing supplies from reaching these areas, and targeting service and healthcare facilities. These actions have made life in these areas unbearable, ultimately forcing residents into displacement to save their lives.
2. Armed Assaults and Extrajudicial Killings:
There has been an escalation of systematic violence against unarmed civilians. Some areas, including Alwadi Alakhdar, Soba Sharig , Al Samra, Mygoma, and Wihda, have witnessed deliberate killings executed by RSF forces.
3. Indiscriminate Bombardment of Populated Areas:
Residential areas and markets in Sharg Alneel have been subjected to indiscriminate aerial bombardments by the Sudanese Armed Forces. These attacks resulted in dozens of deaths and numerous injuries among civilians in locations such as Block 13 Market Station, Block 6 Market Station in Haj Yousif, Hillat Kuku Market, Soba Sharig Market,Block 13 Market Station on Street No 1 in Haj Yousif, and Um Duwaban. Notably, recent bombings have increasingly targeted markets and gatherings, causing a significant number of civilian casualties.
4. Armed Robbery and Looting:
Several areas, including Alwan, Wad Abu Saleh, Seyal Al-Faki Saad, Sheikh Al-Ameen, Alwadi Alakhdar, and Al Samra, have experienced widespread systematic looting and theft targeting homes and properties. These operations were carried out by RSF forces, accompanied by intimidation and terrorization of residents. Additionally, some health centers faced repeated theft of essential medical equipment, medications, and solar power units, rendering some completely inoperative.
5. Arbitrary Arrests and Kidnappings for Ransom:
The rate of unlawful arrests carried out by RSF forces has escalated, involving the arbitrary detention of civilians and financial extortion by demanding large sums of money for their release. These practices are accompanied by direct threats to victims’ lives, with detainees given the choice between paying the ransom or facing death. The (SAO) team on the ground documented numerous cases, though many remain unreported due to victims’ families’ fears.
6. Sexual Violations:
The (SAO) team on the ground has documented sexual assaults targeting women and children under the age of six in Al Wadi Al Akhdar during November. Such violations constitute unforgivable crimes against the most vulnerable groups in communities.
7. Attacks on Health Facilities and Community=Based Soup Kitchens
RSF elements have targeted several health facilities across the locality, looting essential medical equipment and supplies. Some centers were forced to cease operations entirely. Communal kitchens have also been looted during transportation or raided directly, leading to their closure and depriving citizens of vital food support.
8. Electricity and Water Service Disruptions:
Extended power outages plunged the region into darkness, severely affecting water services, as most areas rely on groundwater wells powered by electricity. Community-based volunteers made significant efforts to address these challenges and maintain water supply, but armed groups repeatedly targeted these stations, looting solar units and depriving citizens of access to water.
9. Attacks on Satellite Internet Points:
In the last three months, RSF-affiliated armed groups have repeatedly attacked points providing satellite internet services (Starlink), detaining individuals at these points, and looting their personal and Starlink devices. These attacks intensified following aerial bombardments and armed clashes, cutting off internet access, which is vital for financial transfer through banking applications and receiving financial aid.
10. Environmental and Health Situations:
The environmental and health situations in the region can be described as catastrophic. The aftermath of the rainy season continues to linger, with a shadow of diseases hovering over all neighborhoods in the locality. Health emergency reports indicate thousands suffering from malnutrition, particularly women and children. There is also widespread prevalence of waterborne diseases such as cholera, fevers, malaria, and dengue fever, exacerbated by a severe shortage of medicines and solutions, leading to hundreds of fatalities.
11. Illegal Levies and Extortion of Citizens
RSF checkpoints impose illegal transit fees on food supplies and essential goods, confiscating portions of shipments or extorting traders and citizens for exorbitant amounts. These practices exacerbate food insecurity and burden citizens already living under catastrophic conditions.
12. Blockade and Supply Shortages:
The locality and its surrounding areas still remain under siege, with the army preventing food and medical supplies from passing through its controlled areas to the locality under the pretext that these supplies benefit RSF. This has caused acute shortages in medical and food supplies. RSF checkpoints also frequently prevent buses carrying citizens from leaving the locality, exacerbating displacement challenges. Even those who manage to escape face harassment and abuse from military intelligence in the SAF-controlled areas under accusations of collaboration with RSF.
13: Targeting Volunteers and Humanitarian Workers:
Despite the significant efforts of volunteers in emergency response rooms and community-based initiatives, they face numerous risks. Both sides of the conflict, particularly RSF elements, target them, restricting their movements, subjecting them to arbitrary arrests, theft, physical assaults, and, in some cases, kidnappings for ransom.
🔹Conclusion
This report outlined some cases that the (SAO) team on the ground was able to access, monitor, and document. Several violations remain unrecorded due to the challenges mentioned earlier.
The (SAO) urgently makes a call for UN institutions, international and local organizations, and all relevant parties to intervene promptly to pressure both sides of the conflict to adhere to international humanitarian and human rights laws and reach a ceasefire agreement. This would enable safe delivery of humanitarian aid, restoration of essential services, and protection of civilians, community-based volunteers, and humanitarian workers. The (SAO) also urges humanitarian organizations to provide necessary support to improve life-saving strategies and humanitarian conditions in Sharq Alneel Locality.
