SUDAN NEWS ALERT: BBC - At least 150 villagers feared dead in Sudan massacre

6/6/2024: BBC - At least 150 villagers feared dead in Sudan massacre, by Anne Soy

BBC report that at least 150 people are feared dead in a massacre in a village in central Sudan blamed on the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) 

The circumstances of the killings remain unclear - it is alleged the village was attacked twice by the RSF fighters on Wednesday. 

Hafiz Mohamad, from leading human rights group Justice Africa Sudan, has told the BBC that many more people are still missing but that it was "difficult to count all the dead" because "RSF elements are still around the area looting".

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Sudan Tribune - Sudan faces imminent crisis as displaced population nears 10 million

6/6/2024: Sudan Tribune - Sudan faces imminent crisis as displaced population nears 10 million

Sudan Tribune report that the International Organization for Migration (IOM) issued a warning that the number internally displaced by conflict in Sudan is on the verge of exceeding 10 million.

IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix reports 9.9 million people internally displaced across Sudan, with 7.1 million displaced since the war began. Women and children under five make up a significant portion of those affected.

“This crisis is equivalent to the entire population of London being displaced but under constant threat of violence, famine, disease, and brutal ethnic and gender-based violence,” stated IOM Director General Amy Pope.

Sudan Tribune add that, in total, approximately 12 million have been forced to flee their homes, with 70% of the displaced population struggling to survive in famine-risk areas, while humanitarian access remains limited or non-existent. The approaching rainy season threatens to worsen the situation, potentially leading to climate-related disasters and disease outbreaks.

SUDAN POLITICAL ALERT: UN World Food Programme - WFP expands emergency response to avert famine in war-torn Sudan

6/6/2024: UN World Food Programme - WFP expands emergency response to avert famine in war-torn Sudan

The UN World Food Programme announced that it is urgently expanding its emergency food and nutrition assistance in war-torn Sudan amid the looming threat of famine, with life-saving food and nutrition assistance to be provided to an additional 5 million people, thus doubling the number of people WFP had planned to support at the start of 2024.

WFP will also provide support in cash to 1.2 million people in 12 states, which “gives a vital boost to local markets and food producers,” and it is increasing how much food or cash it provides to people facing the most severe levels of hunger – more than two million people across more than 40 hunger hotspots.

Communities in areas where fighting is ongoing such as Darfur, Kordofan, Khartoum and al-Jazira are said to be “at a high-risk of slipping into famine-like conditions if they do not receive urgent and sustained support.”

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Bloomberg - At Least 100 Killed in Attack on Sudanese Village Amid Civil War

6/6/2024: Bloomberg - At Least 100 Killed in Attack on Sudanese Village Amid Civil War, by Simon Marks

Bloomberg report that at least 100 people have been killed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia as it opened fire on residents of Wad Al Noura village in Al-Jazira state after they tried to stop the RSF from entering the area, according to the Wad Madani Resistance Committee.

The Madani committee put the death toll at “as many as 100” people including women and children, and shared pictures and videos online showing dozens of bodies wrapped in white shawls.

However, two senior humanitarian officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that more than 100 people had been killed.

The RSF claimed that it attacked “three camps” west, south and north of the Wad Al Noura area, where it said the army, intelligence services and Islamist groups were present.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Reuters - Sudan's RSF kills at least 100 in attack on village, activists say

6/6/2024: Reuters - Sudan's RSF kills at least 100 in attack on village, activists say

Reuters report that the Wad Madani Resistance Committee announced that "Wad Alnoura village [in Al-Jazira state] ... witnessed a genocide after the RSF attacked twice,” before putting the number of dead in the hundreds and saying the Sudanese army had not heeded a request for help.

The RSF said it had attacked army and allied militia bases around Wad Alnoura but did not acknowledge any civilian casualties. However, the Madani RC accused the RSF of using heavy artillery against civilians, looting, and driving women and children to seek refuge in the nearby town of Managil, sharing photos of dozens of bodies wrapped for burial in an open square among large crowds of men.

The attack is the latest in a string of dozens by RSF militants on small villages across al-Jazira after it took control of the capital Wad Madani in December 2023.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Radio Dabanga - 100+ ‘massacred’ by RSF in Sudan’s El Gezira

6/6/2024: Radio Dabanga - 100+ ‘massacred’ by RSF in Sudan’s El Gezira

Radio Dabanga report on reactions to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) massacre in Wad al-Noura in Al-Jazira state that killed over 100. 

The RSF claimed that they were targeting Islamist forces preparing to attack the militia.

The Coordination of Khartoum Resistance Committees labelled the massacre “another crime in the RSF’s record of crimes against humanity,” describing it as genocide and forced displacement of residents of al-Jazirah’s villages. 

Justice and Equality Movement leader Jibril Ibrahim said it was “impossible to coexist with people who kill, plunder, and rape as they are”. Minni Minawi, a faction leader of the Sudan Liberation Movement questioned why countries supporting the RSF are not taking action.

The Darfur Bar Association (DBA) called on the international community to take the necessary measures to stop the war, halt human massacres, and prosecute the perpetrators.

SUDAN POLITICAL ALERT: US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations – Risch on AU suspension of Sudan amid ongoing violence

6/6/19: US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations – Risch on AU suspension of Sudan amid ongoing violence

 US Senator Jim Risch, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, called for the end of the campaign of “fear and senseless killing…driven by Lt. Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo "Hametti" and his paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.”

 Risch said the African Union’s suspension of Sudan sends a strong message to the TMC that the “international community will not tolerate the senseless loss of life and brutal attacks on citizens witnessed this past week.”

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: AFP - Sudan’s Dagalo, feared Darfur militia chief at heart of crackdown

6/6/19: AFP – Sudan’s Dagalo, feared Darfur militia chief at heart of crackdown

 AFP’s feature piece charts Himedti’s rise to power, from Janjaweed leader tasked with crushing the Darfur rebellion, to the leader of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, and now the deputy of Sudan’s transitional military council.

 Sudan expert Jerome Tubiana attributes Himedti and the RSF’s rise to ex-president Omar Al Bashir’s distrust of the regular army and the intelligence service, thereby “[empowering] the RSF as a praetorian guard and third pole of power.”

 Tubiana adds that the RSF’s deployment to Yemen as Sudan joined the Saudi-led coalition, enabled Himedti, alongside current TMC chief Abdulfattah Al Burhan, to meet Saudi and UAE officials and present themselves as possible successors of Al Bashir.

 A European diplomat said: "although he's not educated, in his interactions he comes across as extremely street-smart and somebody who's in charge of the situation," with a western diplomat stating that “he is highly politically ambitious.”

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Foreign Policy - Washington Is Turning Its Back on Sudan

6/6/19: Foreign Policy – Washington Is Turning Its Back on Sudan, by Cameron Hudson

 Cameron Hudson calls for the US to support the Sudanese “in their greatest hour of need,” re-iterating his calls for the appointment of a US special envoy for Sudan.

 Hudson highlights the “near total absence” of US diplomacy in Sudan, citing failures to deploy funding or technical support to help democratic protesters become more effective in negotiating with the military.

 Hudson argues that a US special envoy would remind the Gulf Arab “drivers of influence in Sudan” that Sudanese civilian leaders can both protect their long term security interests, and extend civil and human rights to its citizens.

 Hudson adds that the envoy would also “build an active coalition of African and European allies…to help level the playing field between those standing up for their democratic rights and those seeking to extinguish them,” and “most importantly,” would show Sudanese people that they have not been abandoned.

SUDAN POLITICAL ALERT: Amnesty International UK - Sudan: Rapid Support Forces should be removed from streets of Khartoum immediately

6/6/19: Amnesty International – Sudan: Rapid Support Forces should be removed from streets of Khartoum immediately

 Amnesty International calls for the “feared” Rapid Support Forces to be “immediately withdrawn from the streets of Khartoum after their implication in horrific violence in the Sudanese capital in recent days.”

The press release also called for recently-returned opposition leader Yassir Arman, whose whereabouts are unknown, to be released “immediately and unconditionally.”

 Finally, Amnesty International called for the “immediate unblocking of the internet and social media to allow people in Sudan access to information, and the opportunity to exercise their freedom of expression.”

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Sky News - Sudan: UK summons ambassador over 'absolutely sickening' military crackdown

6/6/19: Sky News – Sudan: UK summons ambassador over ‘absolutely sickening’ military crackdown

 Sky News reports that the UK has summoned the Sudanese ambassador after a military crackdown on pro-democracy protesters left dozens of people dead.

 Harriet Baldwin, the UK's minister for Africa, said she was "absolutely sickened" by the "very credible reports of the violence against peaceful protesters".

 She added: "Sudan needs to move to a civilian government as soon as possible."

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Foreign Policy - Arab States Foment Sudan Chaos While U.S. Stands By

6/6/19: Foreign Policy – Arab States Foment Sudan Chaos While U.S. Stands By, by Justin Lynch and Robbie Gramer

 Justin Lynch and Robbie Gramer’s feature piece provides exclusive comments from former Sudanese spy chief Salah Gosh, and US officials who claim that their “hands are tied” despite unhappiness over Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE’s in dominant role in Sudan.

 Gosh told FP that the “UAE pushed [the coup] but [they] are not the main player,” adding that he plays no role in Sudan’s political or military situation, but predicted that “[there] will be losses,” although not to the extent of Darfur.

 Anonymous US officials “complained that the Trump administration seemed to have no solid strategy on Sudan beyond…condemning violence,” and “wasn’t convening enough regular meetings to coordinate between agencies.”

 Ex-US Assistant Secretary of State Johnnie Carson told FP that Saudi, Egyptian and Emirati “views on what should happen in Sudan diverge significantly from the policies the [US] should be pursuing.”

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Washington Post – A chance for democracy in Sudan is being snatched away. The world must act.

6/6/19: Washington Post – A chance for democracy in Sudan is being snatched away. The world must act.

 The Washington Post editorial board call for the west to speak up “strongly” for the Sudanese demonstrators, force the military to relinquish power, and impose sanctions “on those who carried out the carnage.”

 The editorial argues that the military council “must be told, loud and clear, that the rest of the world will not recognize a leadership that seized power at the point of a gun,” suggesting that they should not be provided international finance.

 In addition, the WashPo editors call for sanctions to be imposed on the Rapid Support Forces, “who led the Khartoum massacre.”

 The editorial concludes by stating that US President Trump’s silence about Sudan is deafening and telling, before calling for Sudanese hopes for democracy “[to] not be extinguished by complacency and indifference elsewhere.”

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Bloomberg - The World Should Not Fail Sudan

6/6/19: Bloomberg – The World Should Not Fail Sudan

 Bloomberg’s editors call for a “coordinated international response” to the massacre of Sudanese protesters.

 Bloomberg’s editors suggest the US and Europe n should insist on a civilian-run transitional authority, as opposed to the military’s new plan to force through elections, “which in all likelihood is meant to buy time to consolidate power and slacken the pro-democracy movement.”

 The editorial also calls for the US and Europe to assist Sudanese civilians and help coordinate internationally monitored elections.

 The editorial goes onto call for the military council to be told that failure to facilitate civilian government “could lead to sanctions for human-rights abuses and other violations,” but also suggests that “they should be offered leniency in any post-election reckoning of their behaviour,” should they “peacefully” return to their barracks.

 The editorial concludes by calling for Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE to endorse the aforementioned US and European efforts.

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Bloomberg - Don't Let the Saudis Ruin Sudan's Democratic Movement

6/6/19: Bloomberg – Don’t Let the Saudis Ruin Sudan’s Democratic Moment, by Eli Lake

 Eli Lake calls for the US to use its leverage on Saudi Arabia to get them to end their support for Sudan’s military junta.

 Lake acknowledges that the US has recently “begun to make public its unhappiness with the Saudi position on Sudan,” but suggests a “firmer hand” is needed to ensure a behaviourial change.

 Lake calls for consequences for Saudi Arabia if it continues to support the junta, suggesting that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo could no longer override US Congress’ objections to a slate of arms sales to Riyadh.

 Lake also re-iterates his calls for Pompeo to visit Khartoum to confer some legitimacy on the civilians leading the democratic protests.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: AP – Sudanese vow to keep up protests after crackdown

6/6/19: AP – Sudanese vow to keep up protests after crackdown, by Bassam Hatoum and Noha Elhennawy

 AP reports that Sudan’s pro-democracy movement vowed Thursday to press its campaign of civil disobedience until the ruling military council is ousted and killers of protesters are brought to justice, as security forces fanned out across the capital and appeared to thwart any new demonstrations.

 The Sudanese Professionals Association said security forces have attacked demonstrators in more than a dozen cities and towns, in some cases beating, killing and raping civilians. The SPA did not provide further information about the attacks.

The group urged people to block main roads and bridges to “paralyze public life” across the country.

 “Our success depends on our full adherence to peaceful protests, no matter how hard the criminal militias seek to drag us into violence,” the SPA said.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Multiple sources – Sudan official disputes protesters death’ toll, health ministry says it rises to 61

6/6/19: Multiple sources – Sudan official disputes protesters death toll, health ministry says it rises to 61

• Reuters

• AP

• AFP

The official death toll in Sudan from violence that erupted on Monday has risen to 61, the director general of the Health Ministry said on Thursday, up from a previous toll of 46.

 Suleiman Abdel Jabbar told Reuters that of the 61 documented cases, 52 were from the capital Khartoum and they included 49 civilians killed by gunfire and three security personnel who died from stab wounds. The rest were from other provinces.

 Medics linked to the opposition have put the death toll far higher, at 108.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Reuters - Ethiopian PM to mediate between Sudan's military and protesters - diplomatic source

6/6/19: Reuters – Ethiopian PM to mediate between Sudan’s military and protesters – diplomatic source

 Reuters reports that Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed will visit Khartoum on Friday to mediate between Sudan’s military rulers and an opposition alliance over a transition to democracy, a diplomatic source at the Ethiopian embassy in Khartoum said.

 The source told Reuters that Abiy would meet members of Sudan’s Transitional Military Council and the opposition’s Declaration of Freedom and Change Forces (DFCF) during his one-day visit.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Reuters - UK summons Sudan envoy to raise concerns about Khartoum violence

6/6/19: Reuters – UK summons Sudan envoy to raise concerns about Khartoum violence

 In a short newsflash, Reuters reports that Britain’s Foreign Office has summoned Sudan’s ambassador to raise concerns about violence in Khartoum, a spokeswoman said on Thursday, after security forces cleared protesters from a sit-in camp in the city this week, killing dozens of people.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Multiple sources - Russia says extremists in Sudan must be subdued

6/6/19: Multiple sources – Russia says extremists in Sudan must be subdued

• Bloomberg, by Henry Meyer

• Reuters

 Russia said on Thursday it opposed foreign intervention in Sudan and the authorities in Khartoum must subdue what it described as extremists, Russia’s RIA news agency reported.

 The Russian foreign ministry also said it supported the holding of elections in Sudan, RIA said.

 Russia had close ties with the ousted regime of longtime Sudanese President Oman al-Bashir, and private Russian military contractors have been training Sudanese forces.

 On Tuesday, Moscow blocked a United Nations Security Council statement circulated by the U.K. and Germany condemning the killing of civilians and urging a rapid solution to the crisis.