The conflict in Khartoum, which began on April 15, 2023, between the SAF and RSF, has led to severe human rights violations and a humanitarian crisis. The RSF controls much of Khartoum, using civilian sites for military purposes, while the SAF engages in battles for control. This report examines detention practices of both parties, emphasizing the pervasive risks faced by civilians and the lack of oversight for their rights.
Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, has faced significant devastation since the outbreak of conflict on April 15, 2023, marked by violence between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict has stemmed from disagreements over security sector reform, leading to severe violations of international human rights and humanitarian laws, including unlawful killings, arbitrary detentions, and sexual violence. Civilians have suffered immensely, facing large-scale displacement, destruction of critical infrastructure, and an escalating humanitarian crisis characterized by urban warfare that renders neighborhoods uninhabitable, severely restricting access to basic necessities such as clean water, food, healthcare, and shelter.
As of mid-2023, the RSF has established control over much of Khartoum State, utilizing civilian structures like homes and schools as military bases and detention facilities. In contrast, the SAF has retained control over certain strategic areas, engaging in fierce clashes to reclaim lost territory. Recent offensives by the SAF in September 2024 have further intensified the fighting and altered control dynamics within the city, leading to ongoing instability.
This report focuses on the detention practices of both the RSF and SAF, documenting the human rights violations occurring within their detention facilities based on testimonies from victims and witnesses. The report emphasizes the unpredictable nature of territorial control in Khartoum State, noting that critical infrastructures, including detention sites, frequently change hands amidst the conflict. Despite varying control by rival factions, the existence and conditions of these detention facilities reveal persistent risks for civilians and the absence of sufficient oversight to safeguard their rights. This investigation covers events from April 15, 2023, to June 2024.
The conflict in Khartoum has resulted in catastrophic humanitarian conditions, marked by widespread violations of human rights and significant infrastructure destruction. Control of the city remains fluid, with both the RSF and SAF engaging in violent confrontations that impact civilians severely. The existence of detention facilities, irrespective of which party operates them, underscores a critical lack of oversight and continued risks to civilian safety, highlighting urgent needs for intervention and protection of human rights.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
