Community leaders at Kalma displacement camp in South Darfur have appealed to Sudan’s TASIS-backed Peace Government to facilitate the release of 172 residents reportedly detained by Rapid Support Forces (RSF) personnel across Darfur.
The appeal was presented to Ezzeldin al-Safi, head of the National Authority for Humanitarian Access, during his October 21 visit to the camp, according to community sources cited by Darfur24.
Yaqoub Mohamed Abd Farri, head of the General Coordination of Displacement Camps and Refugees, reportedly raised the detainees’ cases during discussions with TASIS officials and camp representatives.
The community sources said the 172 residents were being held in Nyala and other locations across Darfur.
They alleged that many had been detained while attempting to find employment to support their families, including residents travelling towards traditional gold-mining areas in Northern State or seeking work in Nyala.
The sources said camp representatives had repeatedly approached the civil administration in South Darfur seeking their release, without obtaining a resolution.
The circumstances of the individual arrests, the grounds for detention and the precise number of people still being held have not been independently verified.
Community leaders raise security concerns
The appeal also highlighted wider security challenges facing displaced families living in Kalma and travelling to surrounding communities.
According to Darfur24, Farri alleged that armed individuals wearing RSF uniforms had threatened and robbed passenger vehicles operating between Kalma, Nyala and Bileil.
He also raised concerns that personal disputes involving individuals who subsequently joined the RSF had resulted in allegedly malicious complaints against camp residents.
The allegations have not been independently established.
Humanitarian engagement
The detention appeal comes as the TASIS administration seeks to expand humanitarian assistance and restore civilian services across areas under its administration.
During the October 21 visit, al-Safi and accompanying officials met representatives of Kalma’s administrative sections to discuss shortages of food, drinking water, medicines and healthcare services.
The delegation pledged to support medical assistance and outlined plans for an early recovery programme intended to help displaced communities rebuild livelihoods.
Al-Safi also announced preparations for a humanitarian conference in November that would bring together community representatives and aid organisations.
The latest appeal places the unresolved detention cases alongside the camp’s humanitarian needs.
Community leaders are seeking the release of residents they say were detained while pursuing ordinary economic activities.
