MEDIA STATEMENT

MEDIA STATEMENT

RSF Leadership Statement Pertaining to Recent HRW Report

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) categorically refutes the allegations made in the Human Rights Watch (HRW) report dated July 11 regarding the events in the Mistri area of West Darfur State.

We affirm that we take the allegations mentioned in the statement seriously. In our statement issued on June 15 concerning the events in West Darfur, we emphasized the need for a fair and impartial investigation conducted by neutral parties, and called for avoiding accusations before having established the facts.

It is highly imperative to reiterate that what occurred in the Mistri area, specifically in West Darfur State, and particularly in the city of El Geneina, is a longstanding tribal conflict, which does not involve the RSF. We had issued documented warnings about the potential occurrence of such conflicts at the onset of the crisis. Unfortunately, this tribal conflict was ultimately ignited by SAF intelligence, which armed both sides.

The RSF would also like to clarify some of the information presented in the HRW report, which partially relies on unreliable sources and contains errors related to data, locations, and dates.

These inconsistencies have led to misleading conclusions and inaccurate reports in the media.

HRW did not communicate with the RSF through our official channels to obtain comment prior to publishing the report. As a result, it failed to learn that all RSF personnel had been officially withdrawn from all areas of the state, including Mistri, and relocated to El Geneina prior to these events.

Furthermore, we would like to highlight the directives issued by our leadership to our personnel deployed in West Darfur State to refrain from engaging in hostilities, to maintain their positions, and to exercise restraint. These directives are well documented and confirmed by the RSF commander in West Darfur.

It also should be noted that the people of El Geneina formed a committee, including the deputy mayor, local NGOs, youth groups, community leaders, and the Sudanese Red Crescent Society, which carried out their own campaign to bury the bodies. This contradicts the report's claim that the RSF was responsible for the burials. Therefore, it is very clear that the allegations about the RSF’s involvement in this activity in the report are not based on any material evidence whatsoever. The claim that the RSF was present in Mistri is simply not based on facts.

The claim that the RSF was present in Misteri is inconsistent with the actual situation on the ground. At that time, it was necessary for all RSF personnel to be in El Geneina to confront the SAF in the event of clashes, which renders illogical allegations of their presence at the time in the area of Misteri.

We also affirm that there are no allied militias with the RSF in Darfur or any other regions. The majority of the disbanded Arab groups are in fact affiliated with SAF intelligence. They have been armed and reintegrated by the Border Guard Forces, following a decision by the SAF commander-in-chief issued on April 20, 2023.

The HRW report disregards the testimony of the second party involved in the tribal conflict, namely the Arab tribes. It also fails to mention the origin and the causes of the conflict, focusing deliberately on one side and directing condemnation, which contradicts the standards of justice in considering evidence in conflict situations.

It is important to emphasize that the RSF strictly adheres to the Rapid Support Forces Act of 2017, as well as international humanitarian law, human rights treaties, and conventions, which are fundamental rules followed during the execution of any mission. The RSF is aware of its duties and responsibilities consistent with these rules at times of both peace and war.

We again affirm the will and determination of the RSF leadership to establish fact-finding committees to investigate any allegations that might arise. Furthermore, the RSF expresses its full readiness to cooperate with all independent national, regional, and international bodies to promote, ensure, and protect justice and human rights in Sudan. We will continue to abide by the rules of international humanitarian law in cooperation with all respective organizations working in the field.

Official Spokesperson

Rapid Support Forces