REPORTON THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN SOUTH KORDUFAN

Type: Official

Status: Published

AND BLUE NILE STATES OF SUDAN   JANUARY-JUNE 2024 <h4> HUDO Centre</h4> <h6> REPORT ON</h6> <h6> THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN SOUTH KORDUFAN AND BLUE NILE STATES OF SUDAN JANUARY-JUNE 2024</h6> Prepared by HUDO Centre Ref. No: H.K/PR/01/024 Released on 28th September 2024 i <h6> Table of contents</h6> 1 Executive summary ....................................................................................... iii Abbreviations ......................................................................................................................................... iv 2 SECTION ONE: INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................... 1 2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 1 2.2 About HUDO Centre ................................................................................................................ 1 2.3 Brief Background ..................................................................................................................... 2 2.4 Statement of the Problem ...................................................................................................... 2 2.5 Aim and Objectives ................................................................................................................. 3 2.6 Limitations............................................................................................................................... 4 2.7 Scope of the report ................................................................................................................. 4 2.8 Methodology ........................................................................................................................... 5 3 SECTION TWO: THE INCIDENTS ....................................................................................................... 6 3.1 Arbitrary arrests ...................................................................................................................... 6 South Kordufan ................................................................................................................................... 6 3.1.1 SAF arrested two family members in Talodi ................................................................... 6 3.1.2 Arrest of traders and confiscation of their goods by SAF in Talodi ................................ 6 3.1.3 SAF arrested two cousin brothers in Abu-Jibaiha ........................................................... 8 3.1.4 SAF carries out an arrest operation and killed five (5) people under torture basing on ethnic reasons in SK ........................................................................................................................ 8 Blue Nile ............................................................................................................................................ 10 3.1.5 SAF conducts arrest operations in Blue Nile ................................................................. 10 3.1.6 SAF arrested two people (Youth) in Damazin ............................................................... 11 3.1.7 SAF arrested three activists in Damazin........................................................................ 11 3.1.8 SAF arrested two youths in Damazin ............................................................................ 11 3.1.9 SAF arrested Abdelhakam Yousif in Damazin ............................................................... 11 3.1.10 SAF Arrested Mr. Ali Hajo in Al-Kurmuk ........................................................................ 12 3.2 Unlawful killing ...................................................................................................................... 13 South Kordufan ................................................................................................................................. 13 3.2.1 Unidentified armed people attacked and killed a herdsman in Elfaid Um-abdalla ...... 13 3.2.2 SAF conducts extrajudicial killings, inhuman acts basing on ethnic motives in Abu- Kershola locality......................................................................................................................... 3.2.3 RSF committed a series of assassinations and looting against civilians in Lagawa locality 15 3.2.4 Assassination of Mr. Sediq in Khor-Eldeleib ................................................................. 15 3.3 Other kind of violations ........................................................................................................ 16 South Kordufan ................................................................................................................................. 16 3.3.1 Regular armed robberies around goldmines in Talodi ................................................. 16 3.3.2 Violent attacks by RSF in Nuba Mountains ................................................................... 17 3.3.3 RSF committed a series of attacks against Nuba villages in Lagawa locality ................ 17 3.4 Recommendations ................................................................................................................ 18 4 SECTION THREE: APPENDICES ....................................................................................................... 19 4.1 Appendix (1) .......................................................................................................................... 19 <h6> Executive summary</h6> The purpose of this report is to bring to light the human rights violations and abuses that took place in South Kordufan (SK) and Blue Nile (BN) States (government-controlled territories) of Sudan. The report indicates incidents that occurred between January and June 2024. HUDO Centre’s access to SPLA-N controlled area is very limited and even if there was access, the number of human rights monitors on ground reduced further because of the ongoing war between SAF and RSF in Sudan which made the situation more difficult. Some of the monitors were displaced within and outside of Sudan. Therefore, the information/ data that was included in this report was gathered by trained human rights monitors under difficult circumstances then reviewed and compiled by an experienced reporting panel. The human rights situation in the entire Sudan declined further and now matters have been worsened by the ongoing fight between SAF and RSF which contributed to the state of insecurity, human rights violations and abuses. Like other parts of Sudan, targeting of certain ethnic groups or tribes increased the violence. Human rights were violated especially the security of persons, detaining people incommunicado, robberies committed by armed militias, unlawful killings by security forces, denying people fundamental rights and the rights of civilians within conflict areas. Many people were detained in military bases and police cells. Sometimes, civilians could be arrested because they travelled to or from areas occupied by SPLA-N and many people were arrested by SAF basing on suspicion that they are affiliated to RSF. Many times, the authorities (police in particular) refused or failed to carry out investigations of cases brought before them especially cases that involved armed people. In conclusion, we recommend that the two warring parties should immediately stop the fighting and uphold the rule of law. The international community to pressure the two warring parties and to investigate the violations of human rights and humanitarian law. <h6> Abbreviations</h6> AI Amnesty International AU African Union BN Blue Nile GIS General Intelligence Service HRW Human Rights Watch HUDO Human Rights and Development Organization IDPs Internally Displaced People/ Persons INGOs International Non-Governmental Organizations MI Military Intelligence RSF Rapid Support Force SAF Sudan Armed Force SK South Kordufan SPLA-N Sudan People Liberation Army – North FFC Forces of Freedom and Change UN United Nations OHCHR Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights OCHA United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs 2 SECTION ONE: INTRODUCTION 2.1 Introduction The ongoing war between Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Force (RSF) worsened the human rights situation and there has been destruction of life and property, mass displacement and general suffering of the population. Regardless of the conflict situation across Sudan, HUDO Centre managed to document and highlight the violations and abuses that our human rights monitors managed to record in the government-controlled territories of South Kordufan (SK) and Blue Nile (BN). HUDO Centre’s access to SPLA-N controlled area is very limited and even if there was access, the number of human rights monitors on ground is limited since most of them were displaced by the war. The period covered in this report is from January-2024 to June-2024. 2.2 About HUDO Centre Human Rights and Development Organization (HUDO Centre) is an independent, non-government, non-partisan, non-profit making organization, dedicated to the promotion, protection of human rights, peace building and development, its office based in Kampala-Uganda. HUDO Centre undertakes monitoring of human rights situation in Sudan and advocates for the rights of vulnerable people. This includes the conditions and rights of civilians in conflict areas, religious rights, freedom of expression and other violations. HUDO Centre also observes the human rights related cases that are before courts of law. Although, currently there is no court business going on in Sudan because of the war situation. Our focus is on areas under the control of Sudan government in South Kordufan (SK) and Blue Nile (BN) States together with the internally displaced people (IDPs) from the two areas. HUDO Centre is also involved in advocacy work and has got a special program on refugee issues. In order to implement this task of monitoring, HUDO Centre trains human rights monitors based in SK and BN to improve their capacity to monitor, document and report on violations and abuses taking place. Our Vision: A world where everyone’s human rights are protected and fulfilled without discrimination. Our Mission: To champion universal access to rights-based information and services to vulnerable and underserved communities through sustainable innovations, humanitarian support, strategic partnerships, rights empowerment, capacity building, research and advocacy. 2.3 Brief Background The dominance of military on the political scene in Sudan remained the leading cause of instability and human rights violations. The serious deterioration has started by the military coup that was conducted on 25th October 2021 which disrupted the transitional period and subsequently affected the political consensus. This negatively affected the human rights situation in Sudan particularly in areas under conflict like Darfur, Blue-Nile (BN) and South Kordufan (SK). As a result, the entire Sudan ended up being affected by the current conflict when the military clashes/ fighting between Sudan Armed Force (SAF) and the Paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that broke out on 15th April 2023 caused despair. The war started from Khartoum which is the capital city of Sudan and spread to other regions. Formerly, the two forces (SAF and RSF) were allies in the ouster of president Al-Bashir’s regime in 2019 and the subsequent military coup of 2021. However, tensions arose during the negotiations to integrate the RSF in the country’s military as part of the framework agreement to restore civilian rule. As a result, fighting started between the two forces and this caused great suffering and humanitarian crisis across Sudan, causing the biggest displacement in the world now a day as well as worsened the violations and abuse of human rights. Since then, great suffering occurred to the people of Sudan in form of violence, rape, murder, distraction of property, hunger, displacement within and outside of Sudan and the general scale of human rights violations. Mediation efforts for peace talks have been made by different stakeholders including local, regional and international community (organizations and countries) with no effect. Since the war started in April 2023, the emergency laws in the two states of SK and BN were not changed (instead, they were renewed). Also, night curfews are imposed over the people and this affected the life of the civilians particularly in Blue Nile State. 2.4 Statement of the Problem The changing dynamics of the conflict in Sudan has come with great suffering in form of human rights violations, hunger, humanitarian crisis, displacements and death. As a result, thousands of people have been killed in the violence, others injured and others have been displaced massively within Sudan and across the country's borders. According to the June-2024 report issued by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Sudan | Situation Reports (unocha.org) Sudan has the largest internally displaced population in the world, with over 11 million people, including those displaced since mid- April 2023. An estimated 7.3 million people have been internally displaced since mid-April2023, including those who experienced secondary displacement. This does not include the over 2-million Sudanese that have since fled the country. According to the UN officials, Sudan: UN expert raises alarm at dire human rights situation |OHCHR, the crisis is mainly on the protection of civilians whereby the fighting forces indiscriminately attack and use explosive weapons within inhabited areas. Also, the failure to allow humanitarian access routes for humanitarian assistance to be delivered to people who need assistance. For instance, the fighting in Sennar hinders the humanitarian aid delivery routes yet the IDPs continue to arrive to Blue Nile state. In both SK and BN the cost of living is high, prices for essential commodities are high because of limited supply caused by insecurity. Different stakeholders have been calling on the warring parties to agree on ceasefire and go for peace talks in order to stop the bloodshed. However, the calls for ceasefire have largely been ignored. This war also affected South Kordufan along tribal lines as it happened to other parts of Sudan. The most active tribe that has members affiliated to RSF in South Kordufan is Hawazma mainly from Abu-Kershola locality. Other affected sub-tribes which are affiliated to Hawazma are; Aseera, Toogeya (among them Dar Kaabir), Ayatga (Hamid’s Omoodya), Dar Faied, Dar Ali, Dar Hesaiba, Dar Jegir, Awlad Maksour among others. The people belonging to such tribes were targeted by SAF. Many times, the authorities (police in particular) refused or failed to carry out investigations on cases brought before them especially where armed people or soldiers were involved. There were many incidents of arbitrarily arrests by SAF and Military Intelligence (MI) mainly targeting civil society actors, others were accused of being pro-Forces of Freedom and Change (the FFC is a block of political groups that were mainly in opposition during the Bashir regime and were the drivers of the transitional period)). Some people could be detained incommunicado, others detained in military bases, sometimes civilians could be arrested because they travelled to or from areas occupied by SPLA-N or they were only suspected to be affiliated to RSF. 2.5 Aim and Objectives Aim This report aims to bring to light the human rights violations and abuses in SK and BN states of Sudan (government territory) and the situation of IDPs from the two states. Objectives  To provide information to the United Nations’ Human Rights Expert for Sudan, African Union (AU), Amnesty International (AI), Human Rights Watch (HRW), INGOs, the Diplomatic Missions/ embassies in Sudan, institutes and individuals in order to enhance their efforts to improve the human rights situation in Sudan.  To lobby and engage the Sudanese Civil Society and other stakeholders for the advancement of human rights advocacy.  To study the human rights situation in the conflict zones of SK and BN in Sudan and come up with appropriate recommendations. 2.6 Limitations  The breakdown of the economy, food crisis, displacements, transport and telecommunication challenges all affected monitors’ work/activities.  The situation of war makes the work of human rights monitoring difficult and the monitors are affected also.  There is too much insecurity and this is worsened by the impunity among the security forces and lack of rule of law.  Most of the monitors were displaced either internally or crossed the borders. 2.7 Scope of the report With the current situation, most of the eighteen states of Sudan have experienced the conflict/war. This report covers south Kordufan (SK) and Blue Nile (BN) states in particular. South Kordufan state consists of seventeen (17) localities, some are located within a territory controlled by SPLA-N and others are under government control. Blue Nile State consists of seven (7) localities under government control with the presence of SPLA-N in some localities. The violations and abuses documented in this particular report took place in the government-controlled territories of SK and BN plus other states where IDPs are. The following are the towns and villages in SK State which were mentioned in this report; Al-kewaik the capital of Elraif Elsharqi locality; Ummbrembeta, Khor-Eldeleib and Elfaid Um-Abdalla are in Abu-Kershola locality; Talodi, Altegola goldmine and Meraidan goldmine are in Talodi locality; Wata, Tengil, and Gardood Al-dakir are in Habila locality; Abu-Jibaiha in Abu-Jibaiha locality. There are other areas part of Nuba Mountains however administratively under other states apart from South Kordufan, they are: Sidra and Kimla are in Noth Kordufan State: Nimir Shago, Kara, Um-Kuji, Tarin, Shawa and Alfugara are in Lagawa locality of West Kordufan State. In Blue Nile State this report covered the following areas; Damazin the capital of Blue Nile State; Roseries in Roseries locality and Al-Kurmuk in Al-Kurmuk locality. The report also captured some incidents committed towards IDPs in different states 2.8 Methodology HUDO Centre’s network of field monitors and focal people within SK and BN were also affected by the war situation. Some were displaced within Sudan and others fled the country to neighbouring countries. With difficult, the field monitors managed to gather information and reported about incidents from areas where they could gain access physically and sometimes remotely. During the collection of data (information) different methods were used. The information from the field was critically analyzed by a reporting panel at Kampala office. The panel used analytical methods to sort the information in order to arrive at accurate findings which were included in this report. HUDO Centre also used the following methods to collect and verify the data/ information;  Interviewing of victims, their relatives and witnesses  Using data collection forms  Getting comments from professionals (Lawyers, Doctors e.t.c)  Verification of documents  Analysis of official declarations /statements, reports and media articles 3 SECTION TWO: THE INCIDENTS 3.1 Arbitrary arrests South Kordufan 3.1.1 SAF arrested two family members in Talodi On 6th and 12th January 2024, Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) soldiers arrested two family members in Talodi under circumstances relating to Altegola Goldmine. One was arrested for claiming ownership of a well in the goldmine and another was arrested for attempting to visit the detained relative. On 6th January 2024, SAF soldiers arrested Mr. Hassan Adam Abker from Altegola Goldmine. This was after the dispute of ownership of well/ borehole between SAF officer and Mr. Hassan Adam Abker. The SAF officer claimed to own the well which belonged to the victim. The following day (7th January 2024) Mr. Hassan was released on condition that he has to accept that his goldmine (well) belonged to the SAF officer. After his release, he refused and insisted that the well is his. On 8th January 2024, he was arrested again and held incommunicado at Talodi SAF garrison. On 12th January 2024, Mr. Ali Jibril (Hassan’s cousin) came to visit Hassan but, he was arrested on arrival at the Talodi military garrison. The two were later released on condition that they do not claim the ownership of the goldmine (well) again. An activist from Talodi said that; “SAF soldiers usually intimidate civilians particularly those who are successful with business at the goldmines like traders, jewelers and the well owners. They threaten to arrest them and sometimes they arrest them and ask for ransom before releasing them. They falsely accuse them of causing insecurity. Recently, SAF was targeting the Darfurians accusing them of being connected to RSF”. Mr. Hassan Adam (35 years old) and Mr. Ali Jibril (37 years old) are from Nyala, the capital of South Darfur state. They are relatives, currently residing in Talodi locality. For more than two years they have been working in Altegola goldmine zone. Mr. Hassan is known as the owner of the mentioned well/ hole. SAF officers in Talodi used to impose taxes on the goldmine sectors over the owners of the wells, traders and the labourers reasoning that they (SAF) offer them protection/ security as well as pretending the ownership of the wealthy wells. 3.1.2 Arrest of traders and confiscation of their goods by SAF in Talodi On 13th January 2024, twenty (20) traders were arrested with their motorbikes (tuk tuks) which were carrying fuel barrels (three barrel on each). They were detained at Talodi SAF garrison. They were later released (same day) but their motorbikes, goods especially fuel were impounded. On 19th January 2024, SAF released the impounded motorbikes and fuel but it was inadequate compared to what was confiscated. Each barrel of fuel was less by more than eighty (80) litres. The following are the names of some traders who were briefly detained; • Eltahir Mustafa • Ibrahim Mohammed Abduelrahman • Abas Eisa Abdalla • Mukhtar Juma Abduelrahman • Ismail Abdalla Mohammed • Abduelmajid Elshareef Redwan • Hammad Ahmed Hassan • Adam Abker Yagoub. On 23rd January 2024, eleven (11) traders with seventeen (17) tuk-tuk/ motorbikes (some had two using drivers) loaded with goods were coming back from Yida refugees camp in South Sudan heading to Talodi town. SAF stopped them at a point of Bir-Balaeil (about 20 km south Talodi town) and arrested them. SAF drove them to Talodi military garrison and detained them. On 26th January 2024, the community leaders in Talodi conducted a meeting with the security committee of Talodi locality and demanded that SAF must release the traders and their goods. They reasoned that many areas in South Kordofan during this time of conflict between SAF and RSF depend entirely on essential commodities from neighbouring markets in South Sudan. They stated that SAF should legalize the matter by obtaining permits for this purpose or close the road completely instead of confiscating the goods every time. On 30th January 2024, the traders and their tuk-tuks (3-wheeled automobiles) were released but their goods were confiscated and transferred to the head of the military division in Abu-Jibaiha. The names of the detained traders who own the goods are: Walid Mustafa Omer, Hammad Hussein Abbad, Saber Haraz Mahmoud, Ibrahim Omer Ahmed Nugra, Mogaddam Abdul Rahman Ali, Abdul Rahman Goja Sharaf Al-Din, Haroun Hussein Salah, Hassan Mohammed Yousif, Ibrahim Abuelrahman Abbas, Muzamil Ali Yousif and Mukhtar Juma. The given reason behind the arrest was that, the traders and their motorbikes had crossed the border with South Sudan to Yida refugee camp and imported goods including fuel. The context; by then, the fuel prices in Talodi radically increased (one litre of fuel = 5000 SDG equivalent to $5) due to the ongoing fight between SAF and Rapid Support Force (RSF), while in Yida fuel is cheaper (1 litre = 2000 SDG which is equivalent to $2 USD). The prices for the essential goods are also high compared to Yida camp. The lawyer from Talodi talked to HUDO Centre saying that; “The citizens of the two countries in these areas are governed by a customary law that allows free movement between the two countries and no binding law that criminalizes the trading between them. However, there was a political communiqué between the two governors to organize this trading”. 3.1.3 SAF arrested two cousin brothers in Abu-Jibaiha On 2nd March 2024, Sudan Armed Force (SAF) soldiers came on a military vehicle and arrested Mr. Abduelraheem Abdalla Mohammed Monawar and Mr. Abdalla Fadelalla Mohammed Monawar from their home in Algalaa (the neighborhood) of Abu-Jibaiha town. SAF arrested and took them to Abu-Jibaiha military garrison where they have been held incommunicado. The two were accused by SAF to be members of Rapid Support Force (RSF). 3.1.4 SAF carries out an arrest operation and killed five (5) people under torture basing on ethnic reasons in SK On 5th April 2024, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) arrested fifteen (15) civilians from Al- kewaik of South Kordufan state accusing them of spying on behalf of SPLA-N. This was shortly after the SPLA-N’s attack on Al Kewaik SAF barracks. The detainees were tortured which caused the death of five (5) people and others were injured. They were released on 11th April 2024. On 30th March 2024, the Sudan People's Liberation Army-North (SPLA-N) attacked the Sudan Armed Force (SAF) military garrison of Al-kewaik. The SAF responded to the attack and pushed SPLA-N back. Between 2nd and 5th April 2024 after the SPLA-N attack, SAF in Al-Kewaik arrested many people especially the youths accusing them of spying for SPLA-N. By 5th March 2024, SAF had arrested fifteen (15) civilians/ residents of Al-Kewaik including one female. All of the arrested people were from Kega temeru/ Nuba (tribe) aged between 30-40 years of age except one. Their names are listed below: • Mr. Ramadan Abduelrahman Al-Bushari Kafi, government employee/ Locality information and media. • Mr. Omer Musa Haren Kafi, 52 years old, government employee/ Ministry of Finance. • Mr. Waheib Abdalla Ibrahim Tangulo, government employee/ Health Insurance • Mr. Hassabo Mohammed Kortukaila. • Mr. Ibrahim Edris Abujalha Kafi. • Mr. Shams Al-Haq Sharafeldin Jibril Kafi. • Mr. Hassan Awadalla Eltoum Kafi. • Mr. Shawgi Mukhtar Haren Kafi. • Mr. Hussein Sheikheldin Ajabna. • Mr. Atif Hassan Ando Shaga. • Mr. Al-Maleh Makin Al-Birair Tutu. • Mr. Hamid Mohammed Hamid Al-Tayeb. • Mr. Al-Sanussi Elzobair Musa Eleasir. • Mrs. Salwa Barnita Elamin. • Mr. Shaga Tiya. After the arrest campaign, the community leader/ Mayor of Al-Kewaik (Omda/ Ibrahim Ramadan) approached the SAF commandant in Al-Kewaik seeking to release the detainees but it was not possible. Instead, the detainees were transferred to Kadogli military headquarters where they were brutally tortured, intimidated and abused verbally with racist words. On 9th April 2024, the families and community members of the detained people were reliably information that four (4) of the detainees had died under torture. This was later confirmed by the Kadogli military high commandant. According to this military commander, the dead detainees were buried by SAF. They did not hand over the dead bodies to the families and no burial location that could be traced. The names of the four (4) dead victims are; • Mr. Ramadan Abduelrahman • Mr. Omer Musa • Mr. Waheib Abdalla • Mr. Hassabo Mohammed After the news of detainees dying under detention, a group of activists and community leaders intensified their demand for releasing the other detainees and they succeeded. On 11th April 2024, the remaining eleven (11) detainees were unconditionally released by SAF in Kadogli with clear marks of torture on their bodies. On 25th April 2024, Mr. Shaga Tiya died as a result of the torture injuries that were inflicted on him by SAF soldiers while in custody. Others are still in bad health condition like Mr. Ibrahim Edris who is up to date receiving treatment at his home due to torture wounds on his head. Mr. Shams Al-Haq and others are currently suffering from trauma. An activist from Kadogli spoke to the HUDO Centre saying that, “The SAF in South Kordofan State/ Nuba Mountains arrests civilians basing on ethnic grounds. They accuse Nuba ethnic groups of collaborating with the SPLA-N, while the collaboration with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) is imposed on the Arab ethnic groups’’. Blue Nile 3.1.5 SAF conducts arrest operations in Blue Nile SAF intensified its operations of arresting activists, politicians and the youth in Blue Nile state most especially after the war started between Sudan Armed Force (SAF) and Rapid Support Force (RSF). On 15th April 2023. Arrests dramatically increased after RSF invaded Medani town on 15th December 2023. SAF arrests and detains people in poor conditions. During interrogation of the victims, SAF accuses them of either being affiliated or supporting RSF and in some cases they accuse them for communicating to their relatives or friends who joined RSF. They detain people in large numbers in unventilated rooms with limited food and water. They also detain them without legal charges. They only rely on the emergency order. The number of detained people is unknown however, HUDO Centre managed to confirm some names as indicated below; • Mohammed Ahmed Rahama, manager of Abu-Naama Company • Elfadil Mohammed Elsadiq (resident of Ganees Sharq/ East. • Kaba, driver and resident of Elseraio • Mohammed Manzoul • Ayman, resident of Ganees Sharq/ East • Salim, resident of Elshorouq. • Abubaker, resident of Ganees Sharq/ East • Abaker, resident of Alazaza Many other people were arrested and imprisoned for months without appearing before court, only under emergency state orders. Usually, the number of detained people is not known, till a pardon is issued then numbers are disclosed partially (appendix - 3). This process was earlier challenged by lawyers however the authorities ignored the rule of law. 3.1.6 SAF arrested two people (Youth) in Damazin On 6th January 2024, Mr. Eihab Babikir Sesio (35 years) and Mr. Musaab Rizgalla (28 years) were arrested by Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) soldiers from Damazin checkpoint at Roseries bridge while they were travelling between the two towns. The detained youth are social activists and residents of Roseries town. They were taken by SAF soldiers to the nearby barracks (SAF’s air defence). While at the barracks, they were interrogated, intimidated and threaten to be killed. SAF accused them of suspiciously being affiliated to Rapid Support Force (RSF). During the interrogation, they were asked about their connections with RSF and if there is any communication between the RSF and the resistant committees in Roseries. Their phones were also checked. SAF warned them not to communicate with anyone within RSF or else, they will be killed. They were later released on the same day. 3.1.7 SAF arrested three activists in Damazin On 14th January 2024, soldiers from Sudan Armed Force (SAF) arrested Mr. Bahaa-Eldin Mukhtar, Mr. Abu Murtada Jagdoul and Mr. Ahmed Jaafar from their homes. The three were interrogated about their activities with the resistance committees, detained the whole day and released in the evening. An activist from Damazin talked to HUDO saying that, the three activists are members of the Emergency room for sheltering internally displaced people in Damazin and particularly managing Alnahda neighbourhood IDPs shelter centre. “I believe they were arrested because they have resisted SAF control over the shelter centres as it’s a civil society initiative”. The three activists are known in Damazin town as social activists without political affiliations. 3.1.8 SAF arrested two youths in Damazin On 3rd April 2024, a group of Sudan Armed Force (SAF) soldiers arrested Mr. Badreldin Elamein Temsah (33 years old, self-employed) and Mr. Babikir Adam (34 years, self- employed) from the street and took them to military garrison in Damazin. While at Damazin military garrison, the two were interrogated, intimidated and tortured (beaten). SAF accused them of belonging to Rapid Support Force (RSF). On 7th April 2024, the two youth were released unconditionally. 3.1.9 SAF arrested Abdelhakam Yousif in Damazin On 4th April 2024, Mr. Abdelhakam Yousif (58 years old, is a government employee at the petrol department in the ministry of finance in Blue Nile State) was arrested by a group of Sudan Armed Force/ Military Intelligence (SAF/MI) from his office at the Ministry of Finance in Damazin town. He was arrested soon after his arrival from Asosa town of Ethiopia where he had gone for a visit. He was taken to SAF premises in Damazin where his phones were confiscated, and he was interrogated and detained for one night. The following day (9th April 2024) he was transferred to Police and a case was filed against him. The case was filed under articles 21, 51 and 55 of Sudan Criminal Penal 1991. Thereafter, he was released on bail but his phones which were confiscated by SAF/MI were not given back to him. According to the interrogation by military, they concluded that Mr. Abdelhakam Yousif had briefly met with an officer of Sudan People Liberation Army – North (Elhelo’s faction) during his visit to Asosa Ethiopia. On 21st April 2024, Mr. Abdelhakam was arrested again by SAF/ MI. On 25th April 2024, Mr. Abdelhakam was sentenced to three months in prison by the security committee basing on the emergency law. He was transported to Roseries prison where he is currently imprisoned. 3.1.10 SAF Arrested Mr. Ali Hajo in Al-Kurmuk On 28th May 2024, the Sudan Armed Force (SAF) in Al-Kurmuk town arrested Mr. Ali Hajo (40 years old, is a government employee and political activist)1 while he was traveling to Ethiopia. He was on the road to Ethiopia by road and he stopped at the checkpoint (office) of SAF Military Intelligence (SAF-MI) in order to get the permission to cross the border to Ethiopia (this is one of the measures imposed by the security of Sudan for the cross-border movement between the two countries). Mr. Hajo was subsequently arrested by SAF-MI and detained at the military garrison in Al-Kurmuk. He was accused of going to attend TAGADOM conference. ((TAGADOM is an abbreviation for the Arabic name of coordination body of the Democratic Civil Force whom had conducted a conference in Adis Ababa from 26th to 30th May 2024)) Mr. Ali Hajo has been regularly arrested by the security agencies. The last time he was arrested was on 26th January 2023, and basing on emergency order he was sentenced to three (3) months imprison without appearing before court and sent to Roseries prison. He was later released on 25th April 2023. This arrest and imprison (of the year 2023) was because of an article he posted on his Facebook page criticizing the appointment of a former SAF/MI commandant in Blue Nile as a head of the reconciliations committee in Blue Nile. In his article, he stated how the commander was responsible for torturing students and activists in Blue Nile during Omer Al-Bashir’s regime and Mr. Hajo was one of his victims. On 5th June 2024, Mr. Ali Hajo was transported by SAF from Al-Kurmuk to Damazin. He was detained at Damazin central police up to 9th June 2024. From there, he was transferred to Roseries prison to serve the three (3) months prison sentence, according to an emergency order. 3.2 Unlawful killing South Kordufan 3.2.1 Unidentified armed people attacked and killed a herdsman in Elfaid Um-abdalla On 21st January 2024, while herding their flock (sheep) near Elfaid Um-Abdalla, Mr. Abdalla Ajloon (65 years old) and Mr. Abdalla Mohammed Rajab (55 years old) were attacked by three armed men putting face masks. The armed men shot bullets at them and as a result, Mr. Abdalla Rajab was fatally injured while Mr. Abdalla Ajloon managed to flee from the scene and informed the relatives. The relatives rushed to the scene only to find Mr. Rajab dead. They took the dead body to the hospital at Elfaid Um-Abdalla town and also reported the case against unidentified people at Elfaid Um-Abdalla police office. The body was later buried. Police did not carry out investigations. A community leader from Elfaid informed HUDO Centre that; “these days Rapid Support Force (RSF) soldiers are moving within the area where many nomad Arabs are settled. This created tension among the residents and limited their movements”. 3.2.2 SAF conducts extrajudicial killings, inhuman acts basing on ethnic motives in Abu-Kershola locality On 4th April 2024 around 8:00 PM, SAF soldiers in Abu-Kershola locality conducted a series of arrests, looting and extrajudicial killings targeting Hawazma tribe. This was connected with the ongoing conflict between SAF and RSF. Also, there were acts retribution by SAF towards Hawazma youths which led to mass displacement of Hawazma people from Khor-Eldeleib. On 4th April 2024 around 08:00 pm (Sudan local time), SAF soldiers raided a youth club in Khor-Eldeleib and instructed one of the youth (Mr. Mohammed Abdalla Kaba) to hand over to them his motorbike and knife but he did not comply. Immediately SAF soldiers shot and killed him. This provoked the youths (friends) who were also armed. The youths confronted the armed soldiers and as a result, there was an exchange of fire which caused deaths on both sides. Thereafter, SAF in Abu-Kershola locality and particularly Khor-Eldeleib reacted in a revenge manner. The same night, SAF soldiers from Khor-Eldeleib garrison indiscriminately shot at civilians. This caused the death of Mr. Mohammed Fadul (104 years old) and his grandson Mr. Ishaq Musa Dafa-Alla (51 years old), other two people (Mr. Yunis Bura and Mr. Daoud Bura) were injured by the bullet shots. On 9th April 2024, SAF soldiers from Abu-Jibaiha came and attacked (looted) Khor-Eldeleib market. They chased out Hawazma youth, burnt some of the houses and killed Mr. Elfateh Ismail Bagari (60 years old). This incident forced most of the Hawazma residents to flee from Khor-Eldelieb to Elfaid Um Abdalla, Rashad and Umbrembeta towns. On 14th April 2024, the dead body of Mrs. Fatima Tabaq (44 years) was found with gunshot wounds near the SAF garrison of Khor-Eldeleib. On 16th April 2024, Ms. Ragaa Ali Norain was also found dead at her garden (500 meters from SAF garrison in Khor-Eldeleib). On 13th April 2024, SAF in Umbrembeta arrested four (4) civilians accusing them of belonging to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Their names are; • Mr. Adam Ahmed Elsayer (nickname; Adam Terbil, 56 years old) • Mr. Madhi Elbelail (62 years old) • Mr. Elnour Musa Abdel-Ghani (58 years old) • Mr. Kibir Bubo Elnour (41 years old, displaced from Khor-Eldeleib). They were detained incommunicado and tortured while in custody at the Umbrembeta military garrison. On 19th April, 2024, the four (4) victims were tied up, blindfolded and taken under the pretext of being deported to Abu Jibaiha town. However, SAF soldiers executed them after reaching Khor-Eldeleib. After killing them, SAF refused to hand over their dead bodies to families, amidst displeasure from the onlooking civilians. On 17th April 2024, SAF soldiers on five (5) military vehicles intercepted a traveling commercial truck driven by Mr. Albadri Alnaw Maali Harran at a point between Umbrembeta and Abu Kershola. SAF soldiers arrested four (4) passengers/ civilians (among them were two brothers). All were handcuffed, blindfolded and taken to Abu Kershola military garrison on charges of belonging to the Rapid Support Forces. On arrival, all the four (detainees/ passengers) were shot dead without interrogation. Their names are; • Mr. Ali Albadri Alnaw Maali Harran (25 years old) • Mr. Musa Albadri Alnaw Maali Harran (22 years old) • Mr. Fadlallah Ahmed Fadlalla Mabu (31 years old) • Mr. Elfadil Maali Ahmed Fadlalla (27 years old) All of them were farmers (cultivators and traders). SAF accused them that there were two guns and military uniform found on their truck. On the same day (17th April 2024), SAF confiscated the commercial truck (vehicle) when it arrived at Abu-Kershola town. The truck is owned by Mr. Albadri Alnaw Maali Harran (51 years old) a trader and father of the two killed victims No. 1 & 2 named above). 3.2.3 RSF committed a series of assassinations and looting against civilians in Lagawa locality Between April and May 2024, the Rapid Support Forces, supported by a tribal militia committed a series of killings in a number of villages around Lagawa locality. The authorities did not take any measures to protect civilians. On 16th April 2024, a group RSF soldiers shot and killed Mr. Sharif Badi Teea in Um-Kuji village and looted his cattle (about sixty-two cows). On 21st April 2024, RSF soldiers shot and killed Mr. Saleh Hamouda Suleiman (34 years old) when he was grazing his cattle 3 km away from his village Tarin. Thereafter, they took (looted) around twenty cows. On 23rd April 2024 around 8:00pm (Sudan local time), about fourty (40) RSF soldiers shot and killed Mr. Ali Mom Abu Duraa (48 years old) while he was praying at his home in Shawa village and looted about one hundred and seventy (170) of his cows. On 21st May 21 2024, Mr. Hamdeen Mohammad Hamdeen (a youth activist and the son of a community leader) was assassinated by RSF between Al-Fugara and Tarin villages. A community activist (B.F) spoke to HUDO Centre and said: ”On 12th April 2024, RSF conducted a meeting with a group of youth from the Misseriya tribe/ Arab in Jangaro village. The meeting concluded that, the violations of killing, looting, against Nuba tribes civilians should continue in Lagawa locality villages to force Nuba leave these villages’’. 3.2.4 Assassination of Mr. Sediq in Khor-Eldeleib On 30th June 2024, Mr. Sediq Saboun Adam (43 years old, farmer) travelled (walked) alone from Khor-Eldeleib to Elfaid Um-Abdalla but he didn’t come back to his home. At the distance between the two towns is around 10 km. The evening hours, members of his family and friends decided to follow the route he had taken. Two (2) Km before reaching Elfaid Um-Abdalla, they found his dead body dismembered. His head was completely cut and separated from his entire body. They took the dead body to Elfaid Um-Abdalla and reported to the military garrison. Then after they took the body to Khor-Eldeleib where they filed a case at the police station before taking it for burial. No action was taken by the security organs (the police and military). 3.3 Other kind of violations South Kordufan 3.3.1 Regular armed robberies around goldmines in Talodi Unknown armed men looted civilians in three (3) separate incidents near the goldmines in Talodi locality. The looting happened on 17th , 20th January and on 23rd February 2024. The looting incidents were reported at Altegola goldmine police, but the police did not move to investigate or arrest the perpetrators. On 17th January 2024, two masked gunmen stopped and threatened Mr. Abdel-Aal Ahmed Omar at a place near Altegola goldmine. The two gunmen forcefully took (looted) his motorbike and disappeared. On 20th January 2024, Mr. Mohammed Ismail Abkar was threatened and his motorbike was looted under gunpoint by two (2) masked gunmen, this was near Altegola goldmine. The case was also reported to Altegola police but the police did not arrest the perpetrators. On 23rd February 2024 at midnight, four (4) unidentified armed men attacked Mr. Ahmed Issa Mohammed Saeed (45 years old) and Mr. Radwan Maati (31 years old) at their residence in Meraidan goldmine. They were asked by the gunmen to reveal where they keep their money. When the victims failed to corperate, the four (4) attackers beat them up with sticks (assaulted them) before disappearing. The victims sustained some injuries. The victims identified the attackers by their Arabic dialect/ accent to be from the nomad Arabs. This case was reported to police at the Meraidan goldmine police office, but the police did not respond. An activist from Talodi spoke to HUDO Centre, saying that: “Instances of threats and looting have been reported frequently during the past two months following the return of Arab nomads to the areas of Talodi but the police did not help”. 3.3.2 Violent attacks by RSF in Nuba Mountains Between 11th and 15th February 2024, RSF violently attacked five (5) villages in Nuba Mountains. As a result, more than seventy (70) people died, houses were burnt and property was looted. No action was taken by authorities to protect the civilians. On 11th 12th and 13th February 2024, armed groups dressed in Rapid Support Force (RSF) uniform with vehicles attacked Wataa, Tengil and Gardood Al-Dakir villages in Habila locality. They brutally killed about thirty-three (33) people (the youth), abducted thirty (30) including females, looted the villages and burnt down houses and property. On 15th February 2024, another (different) armed group dressed in RSF uniform with vehicles attacked Sidrah and Kimla village of Eldaer Mountain. During this attack, forty-six (46) people were killed and the villages were burnt. A community leader in Nuba Mountains commented to HUDO Centre that; “These attacks are ethnically motivated and these villages are known to be occupied by Nuba tribes. The videos circulated by the perpetrators themselves expressed the words of hatred towards the Nuba ethnicity”. 3.3.3 RSF committed a series of attacks against Nuba villages in Lagawa locality In April 2024, the Rapid Support Forces, supported by a tribal militia attacked a number of villages in Lagawa locality. The authorities did not take any measures to protect civilians. On 1st April 2024, Rapid Support Forces armed soldiers came on vehicles and motorcycles and shot Mr. Al-TahIr Haroun Ibrahim (42 years old) while he was working on his farm near Nimir Shago village. Mr. Tahir sustained injuries with a fracture in his right arm. On 15th April 2024, seven armed RSF soldiers came on motorcycles and attacked Kara village. On 25th April 2024 at morning hours, RSF armed group attacked the village of Shawa and looted thirteen (13) cows belonging to Mr. Tutu Al-Fahal and Mr. Elias Kuwa Al-Mair. 3.4 Recommendations  We recommend that, the two fighting factions (SAF and RSF) should immediately stop the war, engage in the dialogue (peace talks), create the safe passage for humanitarian assistance and allow civilians to live their normal life.  The fighting groups should respect the international humanitarian law and stop targeting civilians and their assets/ property.  The regional and international bodies should put pressure on the two fighting/warring factions to stop the war and investigate the ongoing atrocities and human rights violations committed by two fighting groups.  Make sure that there is accountability for all human rights violations and abuses, regardless of the perpetrators.

REPORTON THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN SOUTH KORDUFAN

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