Niemat Ahmadi
Darfur Women Action Group
11/20/2023
[Name of Publication or Newspaper]
[Address of Publication or Newspaper]
Dear Editor,
My letter is to refer to the tremendous events that occurred in Sudan. The war in Sudan that spread on April 15th, 2023 is now completely out of control. While the atrocities in Khartoum may constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity under the international law, in Darfur, an active genocide has been systematically carried out against indigenous African people. The international community must take action to end it and hold those responsible accountable.
As of this week, Darfur has completely fallen under Rapid Support Force’s control – with the exception of Elfasher, in North Darfur. In recent weeks, mass killings have escalated to an alarming rate, but the world has remained silent. The mass killings in the Darfur region have escalated to an alarming scale, first in El Geneina, West Darfur, and now in Ardamta Kutum, Tawila in North Darfur, Mornay in West Darfur, and Nyala in South Darfur. The inaction of the international community is indirectly legitimizing the slaughter and extermination of the indigenous African population in Sudan. The only city that has yet to be attacked is El-Daein, the capital of East Darfur state and the stronghold of Rezaigat tribes, however, the military in El-Daein has declared its full support and affiliation to the RSF.
The RSF’s attacks are systemic and precisely directed toward the indigenous African population. These attacks include mass slaughtering of innocent people, deprivation of access to food, water, and medical assistance, a blockade to the access of phone services, internet, electricity, and other services. These actions constitute a precise strategy to isolate civilians and to eliminate all survival means and humanitarian aid. News confirmed that over 1,300 civilians have been slaughtered; among the murdered were over 800 young men, most of whom are between the ages of 15-30. Since the beginning of the war, it is estimated that more than 1.2 million people fled from their homes. Most of them are women and children with approximately 1 in 6 of whom are with disabilities. Women of all ages are in terrible danger as they are targeted constantly to be treated as sexual slaves and raped on a daily basis.
Here the immediate actions that need to be taken:
- Robust intervention to protect civilians and to stop the genocide in Darfur.
- Open an unhindered humanitarian access channel in Sudan and Darfur to reach all those in need.
- Pursue accountability for those most responsible for the pastand current genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity committed in Darfur and across the Sudan.
- Impose targeted sanctions such as freezing assets, travel bans, and sanctioning all business associated with the two warring generals in Sudan in order to cut the funding for their weapons.
- Provide support of the CSOs and women who are historically marginalized Sudanese civilians in order to have the capacity and voice at all levels of decision-making for solutions to the current crises.
It is particularly important that there is media coverage of these atrocities and that our leaders care. Reporting on these horrific situations is crucial to bringing attention and to mobilizing political action that may help save lives. Silence and lack of reporting will aid the perpetrator. Remember, as humans, we have a moral and ethical obligation to speak up when acts of genocide occur.
Sincerely,
Niemat Ahmadi
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