A newly released United Nations report has condemned widespread violations committed by General al-Burhan’s army (SAF) and the Joint Force in areas north of El-Fasher, North Darfur state.
These violations include looting, arbitrary arrests, and the detainment of individuals in shipping containers under deplorable conditions.
The report, compiled by the UN Panel of Experts on Sudan, details how members of SAF and the Joint Force looted homes, particularly in the Abu Shouk IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camp. It highlights the widespread arbitrary arrests of civilians, including youth, human rights activists, and journalists accused of collaborating with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Detainees were transferred to the former headquarters of the UN-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), where they were held for up to two weeks in shipping containers without sufficient food, water, or basic sanitary conditions. The report also cites allegations of severe physical and psychological abuse, including beatings and verbal assaults.
Both SAF and the Joint Force were accused of damaging civilian property and infrastructure. The report suggests that these violations were overseen by senior commanders in SAF and Joint Force, indicating the operations were carried out with their knowledge and direction.
The SAF, led by Commander-in-Chief Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, is facing growing criticism and public discontent. Activists accuse Al-Burhan of establishing “authoritarian military rule” and have reported an escalating crackdown on journalists and activists. Recent local press coverage revealed a broad campaign targeting those who participated in the 2019 revolution or who have expressed opposition to the ongoing conflict, as well as those calling for the return of civilian governance.
Additionally, security forces linked to the Port Sudan Authority have expanded repression efforts, arresting activists and volunteers involved in humanitarian efforts, including those working at “Takaya” public kitchens that provide free food to those in need.
The international community has widely condemned the Sudanese Army’s actions. In March, the UN’s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) accused the Sudanese Army of arbitrary detentions, including the arrest of women and children, who were reportedly held in overcrowded and unsanitary facilities, with limited contact with their families.
Former detainees have provided credible testimonies of torture and severe mistreatment, detailing repeated beatings, appalling conditions in detention centers, and a lack of basic necessities such as sanitation, food, and water.
