Diaspora, Africa – (African Boulevard News) – Darfur residents are bracing themselves for what could be an all-out war between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group. According to residents’ reports, ground battles have already erupted in several neighbourhoods of Khartoum, and heavy gunfire has been heard in the north of Omdurman and the east of the city.
Many fear that the clashes are only going to escalate, leading to a humanitarian crisis similar to the one that occurred in Darfur over a decade ago. The war in Darfur was one of the deadliest conflicts in the world, with over 300,000 people killed, and millions more displaced from their homes.
The RSF, which was formed out of the notorious Janjaweed militia, has been accused of numerous human rights abuses, including rape, torture, and extrajudicial killings. The group has also been linked to the military coup that ousted former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir in 2019.
“The RSF has become a law unto itself,” said Ahmed Hussain, a Darfur-based journalist. “They answer to no one and have been given free rein to do whatever they want, including attacking civilians.”
The army, on the other hand, is supposed to be the protector of the people, but many residents view their recent actions with suspicion. Some say that the army has been infiltrated by remnants of Bashir’s regime, who are working with the RSF to assert their control over the country.
“The army is supposed to be neutral, but they are clearly taking sides,” said Mariam Ali, a resident of Khartoum. “We fear that this will lead to more bloodshed and suffering for innocent people.”
The United Nations has expressed concern over the violence and has called on both sides to show restraint and respect for human rights. The UN has also urged the Sudanese government to take steps to ensure the safety and security of its citizens.
“The people of Darfur have already suffered enough,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres in a statement. “We cannot let this conflict spiral out of control and lead to more death and destruction.”
The situation in Darfur is still unfolding, but residents are calling on the international community to intervene before it’s too late. Many fear that the world has already forgotten about Darfur, and that history is about to repeat itself.
