The Sudan Doctors Network has accused the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of detaining at least 135 medical and education professionals in El Geneina, the capital of West Darfur, raising concerns over their safety and conditions of detention.
In a statement issued Wednesday, the network said it had received information indicating that 47 healthcare workers and 88 teachers and university lecturers were being held at several facilities across the city.
The reported detention sites include the former headquarters of the United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), facilities within the 15th Infantry Division headquarters and Ardamata prison.
The network warned that the continued detention of medical personnel was placing additional pressure on an already struggling healthcare system, depriving thousands of residents of essential medical services.
It said the shortage of qualified healthcare workers in conflict-affected areas had further weakened the ability of local hospitals and medical facilities to meet growing humanitarian needs.
The organisation also expressed concern over reports that other civilians, including women and children, were being held at the detention facilities.
It called for independent humanitarian and human rights organisations to be granted access to the sites to assess conditions and ensure detainees receive adequate medical care.
The network stressed that medical personnel are entitled to special protection under international humanitarian law and that any legal proceedings against them must respect their fundamental rights.
It urged the RSF to disclose the whereabouts of those detained, permit communication with their families and release individuals who have not been formally charged or afforded fair judicial proceedings.
The organisation also appealed to the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross and international human rights bodies to intervene and monitor the situation.
The reported detentions come amid continuing humanitarian challenges in Darfur, where prolonged fighting has severely disrupted healthcare, education and other essential public services.
The network warned that keeping medical and academic professionals in detention would deepen the humanitarian crisis and further undermine essential services for communities already affected by the conflict.
