{"id":20059329,"date":"2023-11-14T18:21:32","date_gmt":"2023-11-14T17:21:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dabangasudan.org\/?p=20059329"},"modified":"2023-11-15T16:18:39","modified_gmt":"2023-11-15T15:18:39","slug":"eu-we-cannot-turn-a-blind-eye-on-darfur-atrocities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dabangasudan.org\/en\/all-news\/article\/eu-we-cannot-turn-a-blind-eye-on-darfur-atrocities","title":{"rendered":"EU: ‘We cannot turn a blind eye’ to Darfur atrocities"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The European Union, Sudanese Journalists Syndicate (SJS), and Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) have condemned the alleged killing of over 1,000 people in the Ardamata neighbourhood of El Geneina, West Darfur, with the SJS and Masalit leaders demanding a transparent and independent investigation, as opposed to one led by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The EU expressed its shock at the recent escalation of violence in Darfur. High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell said in a statement that \u201cthe latest atrocities are seemingly part of a wider ethnic cleansing campaign conducted by the RSF with the aim to eradicate the non-Arab Masalit community from West Darfur, and comes on top of the first wave of violence<\/a> in June.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said that the EU is working with the International Criminal Court (ICC) and other international partners to monitor and document human rights violations in Sudan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The international community \u201ccannot turn a blind eye to what is happening in Darfur and allow another genocide to occur in this region,\u201d he stressed, reiterating the EU\u2019s condemnation of ongoing violence<\/a> and reminding the warring parties that under international law they must protect civilians in Sudan. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“We cannot turn a blind eye to what is happening in Darfur and allow another genocide to occur in this region.”<\/p>\nJosep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

In a statement, the SJS reported that some of the victims of the massacre were killed inside a hospital while receiving treatment. According to their statement, over 700 people were killed between November 2 and 9. A Sudanese doctor who fled Ardamata to Chad on Thursday told Sudan Tribune <\/em>that over 2,000 civilians were killed by the RSF and allied militias in the area between November 4 and 9.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The EU statement said that there were \u201ccredible eyewitness reports that more than 1,000 members of the Masalit community were killed in Ardamta in just over two days, during major attacks carried out by the RSF and its affiliated militias.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SJS pointed out that some leaders of civil administrations<\/a> and their families were targeted and killed inside their homes. \u201cThe killing did not even exclude the elderly or children,\u201d noting the killing of a prominent West Darfur native administration leader, Farsha<\/em> Mohamed Arbab, his son, and eight grandchildren on November 4. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Smoke rises above the West Darfur capital, April 25 (Photo: social media)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The JEM faction led by Suleiman Sandal<\/a> also condemned the crimes carried out by the RSF against civilians. They discussed with officials in the European Parliament the humanitarian situation in general and in Darfur in particular, according to JEM Vice President Jibril Adam Bilal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The main focus of the discussion with officials is the humanitarian situation and discussions about a ceasefire through the Jeddah platform<\/a>, said Bilal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He explained that JEM is still communicating with the SAF and RSF, especially regarding the escalation of violence<\/a> in El Fasher, capital of North Darfur. \u201cSuleiman Sandal is leading the dialogue and is in contact with the two parties to calm the situation.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe told the European Parliament that the Jeddah platform, despite our support for it, needs to include civilians,\u201d noting that there are political issues that must be discussed after agreeing on a ceasefire. They stressed the need for a ceasefire so that humanitarian relief teams can deliver aid to displaced people in Sudan. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Bilal, Gen Mohamed \u2018Hemedti\u2019 Dagalo, commander of the paramilitary RSF, has called for an investigation into the events in Ardamata. He allegedly stressed that the RSF would not protect any individual involved in any violations of the rights of innocent civilians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“The RSF has selectively eliminated 14 civil leaders in Ardamata since last week.”<\/p>\nFarsha Mujeebelrahman Yagoub, Masalit tribe leader and Assistant Commissioner for Refugees in West Darfur<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Farsha <\/em>Mujeebelrahman Yagoub, a leader in the Masalit tribe and Assistant Commissioner for Refugees in West Darfur, told Radio Dabanga of his lack of confidence in the investigation committees formed by the RSF yesterday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The RSF aims to evade punishment, said Yagoub, joining the SJS in calls for the formation of an independent international investigation committee. “The RSF has selectively eliminated 14 civil leaders in Ardamata since last week,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The syndicate also called on the international community to exert pressure on both sides of the war in Sudan, to immediately stop the fighting, allow the entry of humanitarian aid, and withdraw the military from civilian posts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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RSF troops in Zalingei, Central Darfur, on October 31 (Photo: RSF)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a statement on Monday, more than ten days after the violence in Ardamata, the RSF accused Military Intelligence of assassinating Farsha<\/em> Mohamed Arbab, Farsha <\/em>Abdul Basit Suleiman, and Mayor Amin Suleiman, noting their presence inside the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The statement said that \u201cMilitary Intelligence has been carrying out killings in West Darfur over the past years to fuel tribal strife and drive a wedge between the RSF and local communities.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The statement claimed that the former Al Bashir regime sought to plunge the region into a cycle of tribal violence. \u201cThere is conclusive evidence proving their involvement in all the dirty deeds that take place,\u201d it claimed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I am sorry to have to share such a disturbing image, I usually avoid doing so, but it must be done.

This is what RSF has done to civilians in Ardamata, West Darfur after taking over the base and area 2 days ago.

This is what they did in AlGineina before it. #KeepEyesOnSudan<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/yuwbUInBbv<\/a><\/p>— Munchkin (@BSonblast) November 6, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote>