SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Ayin Network – Darfuris fear their new protectors

9/1/2021: Ayin Network – Darfuris fear their new protectors

Ayin’s feature on the withdrawal of the UN-African Union peacekeeping Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) highlights fears among internally displaced that they will be protected by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Osman Adam, a Kalma camp resident, asked: “The same people who kill us, take our land; the same people who [displaced us] are now going to protect us?”.

According to Adil Ali Yacoub, a resident of Gereda in South Darfur, intercommunal conflict between Fallata pastoralists and Masalit farmers were triggered by the RSF’s local head ignoring a directive to keep Fallata away from the area until a reconciliation conference took place.

With the pastoralists being more heavily armed, there is no chance of peace being restored so that the displaced can return home, said Musa Ali Shumo.

Meanwhile, in Jebel Marra in Central Darfur, factional fighting within the Sudan Liberation Movement over gold mines has displaced 27,000.