Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Friday condemned a gruesome video released by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) depicting the murder of three civilians and horrendous mutilation of their bodies on ethnic and tribal grounds.
“This horrific scene underscores the criminal nature of these terrorists and contradicts morality, basic human values, religion, and the law,” RSF said.
“We condemn this heinous crime and call upon the international community and human rights organizations to denounce these egregious violations against our people.”
The Sudanese group, who holds prisoner tens of thousands SAF personnel, underlined in its statement that RSF will not be “coerced into repeating this inhumane behavior.”
“Despite this brutality, we will not undermine the human rights of our captives. We will continue to ensure their safety, security, and well-being,” the group said.
RSF said it remained committed to its mission to remove the former regime.
The Sudanese group called on the people of Sudan to stand up against “terrorists” who aim to take the country back to its “ruinous” and “hopeless” past.
The statement emphasized the dark history of violations and abuses committed by the remnants of the former regime, who have now taken over control of the armed forces, was no different than the images depicted in the video released by the SAF showing the act of driving a nail into the head of a doctor.
“We remain firmly committed to ending this war in favor of our people, to building a renewed Sudan on new and just foundations, and to establishing a unified national professional army that will safeguard our land and our people,” the group said.
Sudan has since April 15, 2023 been plunged into a civil war pitting army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan against RSF Commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.
The conflict has resulted in a devastating toll, with over 12,190 casualties and the displacement of more than seven million people, according to estimates by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project and UN figures, respectively.
Mediation efforts have faced significant obstacles due to deep-seated animosity between the rival factions. Despite Burhan’s administration continuing to issue statements as Sudan’s government, Dagalo’s Rapid Support Forces assert control over Khartoum’s streets, Darfur, and a substantial part of Al-Jazira, once Sudan’s vital agricultural region.
