Do Not Forget About Darfur

While all media is centered on the capital, Darfur villagers suffered deadly attacks 

Darfur Women Action Group is deeply concerned by the recent wave of violence in West Darfur, particularly Jebel Moon, that has left at least 21 people dead, over 20 injured, and thousands displaced either in Darfur or by fleeing to eastern Chad. 

Misseriya tribesman Siddig Ibrahim told Radio Dabanga that at the end of last week, “a large group of heavily armed militiamen riding in four-wheel drive vehicles, on motorcycles and on horses attacked a number of villages in Jebel Moon”.

Thousands of villagers fled to eastern Chad as their villages were burnt. The Higher Pastoralists Coordination stated that they blamed the West Darfur state government for the violence. They additionally demanded that “the central government reconsider the contents of the Juba Peace Agreement.”

Amid the violence in Khartoum, DWAG emphasizes that attacks in Darfur are sadly still very much a reality. In fact, DWAG has raised constant concern that while all eye shifted to the military coup and the trouble that came with it, that government affiliated militias like the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Janjaweed would continue to act with impunity throughout the region, as the Sudanese Armed Forces show no sign of implementing any accountability measures and continue to act with impunity around the country. DWAG calls on the US and the international community not to forget about the violence in Darfur and the millions of innocent people who have remained under attack for nearly two decades. DWAG urges the US and the UN Security Council to take steps to ensure civilians are protected and the attackers are held accountable.

These innocent civilians have been repeatedly displaced hundreds of times since the start of the crises in Darfur and they are still under attack because of the continued impunity the military enjoys. Therefore, DWAG urges the Biden administration to make accountability a top priority in Sudan. The problem of Sudan can’t be sustainably resolved without accountability for those that have committed the most serious international crimes.

We urge you to join us and speak up by demanding accountability for the past and present crimes committed in Darfur.