Security Briefing: El-Geneina Massacre

Introduction

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been accused of conducting a massacre in el-Geneina, west Darfur – with the blessing of local government authorities. Sudanese civilian organisations have labeled the massacre as ethnic cleansing and genocide. In remedies suggested by international actors, the UN has called for durable solutions that address the drivers of the Darfur conflict, with the US calling for the incident to not be used as a political weapon in the peace negotiations. However, Sudanese entities have called for the dismissal of the West Darfur governor and the removal of the RSF from the region.

1. What happened?

Reuters (December 30) reported that violence flared in el-Geneina, West Darfur, after a Rapid Support Forces (RSF) soldier was stabbed to death, with two of his relatives, in apparent retaliation for incidents in which locals had been hit by cars. Arab groups then responded to the soldier’s death by raiding camps for internally displaced people near el-Geneina.

Radio Dabanga (31 December) initially reported the El-Geneina massacre as clashes between Arab Maaliya herders and non-Arab Masalit tribespeople.  According to early reports, more than 70 were killed or injured, with Masalit tribesmen accusing the RSF of complicity

Masalit tribesmen said the “Janjaweed” who attacked Kerending camp for the internally displaced were riding vehicles belonging to the RSF, who also fired indiscriminately at people in other districts in el-Geneina, under the watch of the army and the police. The RSF also allegedly attacked wounded people at El Geneina Teaching Hospital. (Radio Dabanga, 31 December).

On January 3, Radio Dabanga reported that the El Geneina Crisis Committee put the death toll at over 80, with at least 190 wounded. It was reported that 80,000 people have been affected, with:

  • · 8,111 families fleeing their homes

  •    More than 5,000 heads of livestock, 200 motorcycles, 300 rickshaws, more than 180 vehicles of all kinds, and millions of Pounds in cash were stolen.

2. How has Sudan reacted?

Sudanese civilian associations disputed reports that the casualties were a result of tribal conflict, instead describing the attacks as state-orchestrated ethnic cleansing.

The El Geneina Crisis Committee said the attacks constitute the “continuation of systematic crimes in an orchestrated operation intended to reproduce the genocide that started in [Darfur] 2003.” (Radio Dabanga, 3 January)

A delegation of the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) said that the attacks were the result of “elements of the deep state achieving their personal interests”. (Radio Dabanga, 6 January)

The Darfur Bar Association also labelled the attacks “an organised crime committed by militiamen,” accusing the security services of complicity.  (Radio Dabanga, 7 January)

The Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) rebel alliance suspended peace talks concerning Darfur, adding that they hold the government in Khartoum responsible, and demand that it “fulfils its full duty to protect unarmed civilians and provide security”. (Radio Dabanga, 31 December).

3. Remedies suggested by international actors

The solutions to the massacre presented by the UN (January 3) have been directed at the transitional authorities. UN secretary-general António Guterres, and the United Nations-African Union Joint Mission In Darfur (UNAMID) both called on Sudanese authorities to conduct an investigation, hold the perpetrators to account, and restore security around the el-Geneina region.

Guterres emphasised the need to find peaceful and durable solutions to the situation in Darfur, that address the key drivers of conflict.

Meanwhile, the US State Department called on Sudan’s peace negotiation parties to refrain from using the “tribal clashes” for political gain. (Sudan Tribune, 3 January). The same article also reported that the committee investigating the violence involves state officials, despite allegations that the government-linked RSF is behind the massacre.

4. Remedies suggested from Sudan

The El Geneina Crisis Committee also demanded that Sudan’s Sovereign Council and Cabinet conduct a “transparent and fair investigation,” hold the perpetrators accountable, and “be fair in dealing with the grievances.” (Radio Dabanga, 3 January)

However, Masalit tribal leaders accused Mousa Ambelo, the deputy commander of the RSF militia in West Darfur, of genocide and ethnic cleansing. They called for the dismissal of the West Darfur governor and security committee, the expulsion of the RSF and district-wide disarmament.  (Radio Dabanga, 31 December).

Masalit calls were supported by the Darfur Bar Association, who demanded the removal of the governor and the leaders of the security services in West Darfur. (Radio Dabanga, 7 January)