SUDAN PEOPLE’S LIBERATION MOVEMENT-NORTH (SPLM-N)
Date: 6 April 2021
To Whom it May Concern
West Darfur State: al-Jeneina Carnage
On Saturday, 3 April 2021, bloody violence erupted in the city of al-Jeneina for the second time in less than three months. The violence escalated rapidly on the following day, leaving 18 civilians dead and 54 others injured who are currently being treated at al-Jeneina Educational Hospital, al-Naseem dispensary and Military Medical Hospital in the city. Ten operations have been carried out so far in these hospitals, while more victims are continually being admitted for medical treatment.
On Sunday, an ambulance, which was transporting the medical staff from al-Jeneina Educational Hospital, came under attack that led to the injury of the driver. The staff were told to dismount and subjected to beatings, leaving two medical laboratory specialists, ‘Abd Allah Salih and Mohamed al-Amin, and a security guard inured; they were robbed of their personal belongings. The deliberate neglect of Security Committee in West Darfur State and the failure of Ministry of Health to provide adequate security for medical institutions and health workers are jeopardising the delivery of medical services.
According to Doctors Committee in West Darfur State, the number of casualties rose on the following day – that is, Sunday, 4 April – to 32 dead and 78 injured, raising the total figure of casualties since the eruption of vigilance to 50 dead and 132 injured. Despite the relative calmness in the city, the medical teams are still suffering from lack of security, especially at al-Jeneina Educational Hospital where every armed militiaman could enter and leave easily and, besides, instil fear among the workers, making it hard for the medical staff to provide medical services swiftly and efficiently. It is worth mentioning that there are serious cases of injuries that require transfer to Khartoum, for they need highly skilled operations that cannot be performed in the city of al-Jeneina.
The city neighbourhoods which are burned down by armed militiamen during the three days of mayhem – that is, Saturday, Sunday and Monday – are: Hai Jamarik, Muraba’at Hai al-Jebel, ‘Ashara Biut, Hai al-Tadamon, Hai al-Thawra, Abu Zir Camp, Zalingei University and Hujjaj Camps for the internally displaced persons who sought refuge at al-Gadeima High School and some houses in the city. On Tuesday morning, Abu Zir and Zalingei University Camps were completely set ablaze with connivance from the state security; the militiamen continued the attacking of civilians and property, using light weapons and heavy artillery alike.
The events in West Darfur are the vestiges of defunct regime which divided the Sudanese people into ethnic groups; it armed one group against another, but the current incumbent government in Khartoum has done nothing whatsoever to change the situation to the better. Judging by the types of weapons used by the militias in killing the unarmed civilians, it is a conclusive fact that the central authorities in Khartoum are in cahoots with the perpetrators in West Darfur State and other parts of the Darfur region.
We, in the SPLM-N, demand the government to put an end to such a lawless situation in Darfur, restore law and order and curtail the activities of these militias which are clearly sponsored by the authorities. We also denounce these continuous massacres, the silence of authorities and their failure to carry out their duties and responsibilities towards their own citizens. The presence of arms in the hands of tribal militias and the Rapid Support Forces makes the attainment of peace, security and stability impossible. It is, therefore, very important that these forces should be disbanded and absorbed into the Sudan Armed Forces under a united army command with new military doctrine. Furthermore, such recurring pogroms with a clear strategy will not help establish comprehensive peace in Sudan. Finally, if the government cannot seriously intervene to put an end to such barbaric violence in the region, things might get out of control and hatch counter-violence, for violence begets counter-violence. Despite the singing of Juba Peace Agreement on 3 October 2020, there are no signs of peace at all and these tragic situations will not augur well for peace in future.
Thank you very much.
Dr Omer M Shurkian
SPLM-N Representative and the movement Spokesman in the UK and Republic of Ireland
