The Grim Reality of Life in Sudan’s Al-Jazira State
Residents of Al-Jazira state in Sudan are facing a harrowing reality as paramilitaries, led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), continue to wreak havoc in the region. A communications blackout has made it difficult to obtain information from the area, but rare interviews with residents paint a bleak picture of the situation on the ground.
Abuses and atrocities have been reported, with one resident from the village of Baranko revealing that RSF forces shot at dozens of people during a protest against the arrest of young individuals guarding houses. The violence has left 18 people wounded, with some managing to seek medical attention in a hospital located 250 kilometers away.
The RSF, which evolved from the notorious Janjaweed militia responsible for atrocities in Darfur, has been accused of war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity by international bodies. The situation in Al-Jazira, once a safe haven for those fleeing conflict in other parts of Sudan, has deteriorated rapidly since the RSF’s incursion into the region.
The conflict has taken a heavy toll on the population, with thousands killed, millions displaced, and the country teetering on the brink of famine. The Internet and telephone services were cut off in February, further isolating residents and making it difficult for them to seek help or escape the violence.
Residents like Al-Samani from the village of Tabet are struggling to leave the region due to a lack of transportation options and financial constraints. Buses have been stolen or run out of fuel, while online payment applications are paralyzed without an Internet connection. The economy, which has become increasingly reliant on virtual transactions, is in shambles, with rising prices and widespread looting exacerbating the situation.
The RSF’s actions have not only caused loss of life but also disrupted agricultural activities, leaving farmers unable to tend their crops. With Sudan’s income plummeting by 80% due to the conflict, imports have nearly disappeared, further exacerbating the economic crisis in Al-Jazira state.
The resistance committees, once organizers of pro-democracy protests, are now focused on providing aid to those affected by the conflict. They have reported numerous deaths and injuries in villages across Al-Jazira, as RSF violence continues unabated.
As the international community grapples with how to address the crisis in Sudan, the residents of Al-Jazira are left to fend for themselves in a hostile environment. The plight of those caught in the crossfire between warring factions highlights the urgent need for humanitarian assistance and a lasting solution to the conflict that has ravaged the region.