We are extremely outraged by the campaign of horror and horrendous attacks carried out by RSF in Eljezeera, Central Sudan over the last two weeks, leaving hundreds dead and forcing women into an unprecedented mass suicide.

On Sunday, October 20, large-scale attacks on Al Jazeera took the lives of over 300, with only 124 deaths among innocent civilians. A vicious shelling by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Sheikh Al-Jili Mosque and violent assaults on surrounding areas in Wad Madani claimed over 46 lives and left dozens more injured. Countless victims remain unrecognizable due to the severe dismemberment and charring of bodies. A further assault was carried out on Al-Suhra village in northern Al Jazeera, marking one of the bloodiest days of the 18-month conflict. Reports indicate that at least 124 civilians were killed, over 200 other civilians were injured, and the RSF detained 150. The UN has reported attacks on over 30 villages and the displacement of about 46,700 people over the past week. These actions constitute nothing short of a brutal massacre.

Since Sunday, many more civilians have been reported killed and others wounded in Tambol in relentless air and ground attacks. Alongside the air raids, the RSF launched attacks across numerous towns, including Rifa’a, Al-Shorfa, and Azaiba, killing more than 15 people. The scale of these attacks is chilling: markets have been looted, numerous facilities sabotaged, and families have been forced to flee in precarious conditions with little access to safe transport.

In this wave of attacks, rape, and sexual and gender-based violence have been widely used against women and girls. As a result, over 130 women have committed mass suicide by drowning in the river to escape the devastating and weaponized rape and sexual violence perpetrated by RSF in every single assault on villages and cities. This incident should have shocked the world’s consciousness and prompted them to intervene to save lives and restore confidence in the international community in Sudan. This incident of mass suicide marked the international community’s failure to protect the women of Sudan. The women of Sudan are left without option or hope for protection.

The ongoing and escalating crimes committed by the RSF forces against innocent civilians constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity punishable by international Laws. The international community, particularly the UN Security Council member states, must be ashamed of their failure to act. Darfur Women Action Group expressed outrage for not only the horrific massacre and the sexual violence inflicted on civilians in Sudan but also the failure of the international community to respond to these atrocities and hold the perpetrators accountable. We urgently call on the United States, the UN Security Council, and the African Union to take urgent action to stop and prevent this unprecedented escalation and take swift measures to hold those responsible accountable.

We at DWAG stand firm and say not to silence in the face of the world’s worst crimes – genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity committed in Sudan. The world must turn a blind eye to the systematic extermination of Sudan’s people. We urge DWAG supporters to speak up and shame our leaders for failing to act. We must speak out and compel our leaders to uphold their legal and moral obligations in Sudan.

Sudan needs you and needs your voice. Silence only aids the perpetrators.

Thank you for your continued support. Stay connected for updates and opportunities to take action.

With gratitude,
Niemat Ahmadi
President, Darfur Women Action Group (DWAG)
The DWAG Team