Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) strongly condemned a disturbing video released by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) on Friday, depicting the brutal murder of three civilians and the appalling mutilation of their bodies based on ethnic and tribal motives.
The RSF denounced the act as a clear manifestation of the criminal nature of the perpetrators, emphasizing its contradiction with morality, fundamental human values, religious principles, and legal standards.
In an official statement, the RSF stated, “We condemn this heinous crime and call upon the international community and human rights organizations to denounce these egregious violations against our people.”
Despite holding tens of thousands of SAF personnel as prisoners, the RSF asserted that it would not succumb to inhumane behavior. The group pledged to maintain the safety, security, and well-being of its captives, despite the brutality depicted in the video.
Reaffirming their commitment to their mission of removing the former regime, the RSF called on the people of Sudan to unite against the “terrorists” attempting to drag the country back into a “ruinous” and “hopeless” past.
The statement drew attention to the dark history of violations and abuses committed by remnants of the former regime, now in control of the armed forces, comparing it to the distressing scenes in the SAF video.
“We remain firmly committed to ending this war in favor of our people, to building a renewed Sudan on new and just foundations, and to establishing a unified national professional army that will safeguard our land and our people,” the group asserted.
Since April 15, 2023, Sudan has been mired in a civil war between army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and RSF Commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. The conflict has inflicted a devastating toll, with over 12,190 casualties and more than seven million people displaced, according to estimates by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project and UN figures, respectively.
Mediation efforts have faced challenges due to deep-seated animosity between the rival factions. Despite Burhan’s administration issuing statements as Sudan’s government, Dagalo’s RSF maintains control over Khartoum’s streets, Darfur, and a significant portion of Al-Jazira, once Sudan’s vital agricultural region.