Sudanese Protesters Slaughtered by Local Militia

Zeinab Mukhtar '21, Guest Writer|June 11, 2019

What was supposed to be a peaceful conclusion to the holy month of Ramadan turned into gruesome attacks on Sudanese protesters last week. For two months, the people of Sudan were peacefully protesting for their right to a civilian-ruled government. One week ago, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), also known as the Janjaweed, (militia group that executed the Darfur Genocide) arrived in Khartoum and began violently attacking demonstrators.

The RSF has not only extended control over the capital, but has forced a complete media blackout, cutting off both telecommunication and internet access. The TMC and RSF are trying to silence the protestors and draw attention away from the injustices happening in the country.

Security forces raided central Khartoum, where the largest sit in was taking place. The RSF have been violently attacking people ever since. They have raided homes, shot at people, murdered innocent protestors, attacked women and families, and even thrown people into the Nile river. There are more than 100 dead and almost a thousand injuries. More than 60 corpses have been found in the Nile and there have been countless cases of rape.

The United Nations hasn’t found a solution. Just three days after all of this began, the UN pulled personnel from Sudan because of the ongoing violence. In addition to this, Sudan has been suspended from the African Union until governing power is handed over to the civilians.

Omar Al-Bashir came into power in 1989 through a military coup and ruled Sudan with an iron fist for 30 years. Throughout his leadership, Al-Bashir ordered the raid and murder of Sudanese civilians in the west, what became known as the Darfur Genocide. Later, he was charged for crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court (ICC). In addition to initiating what was called one of the worst humanitarian crises of the 21st century by former US Secretary of State Colin Powell, he was also responsible for Sudan’s crumbling economy.

The people of Sudan faced limited amounts of food and high prices of bread. In December of 2018, the Sudanese people began to protest against Al-Bashir’s rule. They were tear gassed, assaulted, and even shot at. Al-Bashir was later overthrown and placed in a high security prison in April 2019 by the Sudanese military and leadership was given to the Transitional Military Council (TMC) whose leaders were warlords as well. The Sudanese people demanded civilian rule, and staged a massive sit in against Al-Bashir’s military in front of the TMC headquarters.

Leading the gruesome militia is Hemeti (Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo). He is a 43 year old warlord who led the RSF (janjaweed, translates into “devils on horseback”) to execute the genocide in Darfur in 2003. He is also responsible for sending an army of Sudanese minors to fight in the Yemen proxy war between Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Now, he is leading his militia as they massacre the peaceful protesters of Sudan.

On Sunday, June 9th, protesters began their Civil Disobedience Campaign. Right now, the streets of the capital (and many other cities) are deserted as everyone participates in the labor strike. The RSF and Transitional Military Council are continuing to raid the homes of civilians and massacre them. The people of Sudan seem strong, resilient, and determined.