RSF's Reign of Terror: El Gezira State Grapples with Looting and Violence

In Sudan's central El Gezira state, a critical agricultural region, residents are grappling with a dire situation as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continue their reign of terror. Since December 2023, when the paramilitary group seized control of most of the state, locals have reported systematic looting, kidnapping, and violence.

The RSF, led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, has its roots in the notorious Janjaweed militias. These forces, officially recognized as a state-sanctioned security group in 2017, have a history of alleged war crimes in Darfur. Now, their actions in El Gezira are causing widespread concern and displacement.

El Gezira, home to one of the world's largest irrigation projects, has become a battleground in the ongoing conflict between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces. The state's strategic location and agricultural importance make it a key target for both sides. The Nile River, which divides the state into east and west regions, has become a natural boundary for different RSF factions.

The situation has led to a severe humanitarian crisis. According to the United Nations, over 850,000 people have been forced from their homes in El Gezira alone. This displacement is part of a larger crisis affecting Sudan, where a fifth of the country's 50 million inhabitants have fled their homes, and about half face food insecurity.

"The army, Islamist militias and criminals looted the state systematically in order to scapegoat our forces. Our forces clashed with these rogue actors, and our commanders and soldiers died in that effort."

However, residents' accounts paint a different picture. They describe RSF fighters, many motivated by the promise of spoils, engaging in widespread looting and violence. The paramilitary group's struggle to control its irregular forces has led to internal conflicts and further instability in the region.

The Sudanese military, with limited ground presence in El Gezira, has resorted to airstrikes and mobilizing civilians for defense. This strategy has often resulted in deadly retribution from the RSF, as seen in the June 2024 incident in Wad al-Noura village, where over 100 people were reportedly killed.

The conflict's impact on agriculture is particularly concerning. El Gezira's farmers face threats, theft of equipment, and restricted access to their fields. This disruption threatens food security not only in the state but across Sudan, raising fears of potential famine in some areas.

As the conflict enters its 17th month, international efforts to mediate between the warring parties have made little progress. The RSF's internal dynamics and the military's insistence on their withdrawal from civilian areas pose significant challenges to any potential ceasefire.

The situation in El Gezira reflects the broader crisis in Sudan, a country with a complex history of civil wars, coups, and ethnic diversity. As the international community grapples with how to address this crisis, the people of El Gezira continue to bear the brunt of a conflict that shows no signs of abating.