On Day 197 of war in Sudan, a QUICK & DIRTY for those just joining:
- Began on April 15, 2023 between the Sudanese military (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a militia-turned-legitimate force of the govt.
- Leaders: Burhan (SAF), Dagalo/Himedti (RSF)
#KeepEyesOnSudan
- Began on April 15, 2023 between the Sudanese military (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a militia-turned-legitimate force of the govt.
- Leaders: Burhan (SAF), Dagalo/Himedti (RSF)
#KeepEyesOnSudan
- Both leaders were previously serving - essentially - as President (Burhan) and Vice President (Himedti) of Sudan.
- General consensus is they each wanted all the power for themselves, so they went from partners to enemies.
#KeepEyesOnSudan
- General consensus is they each wanted all the power for themselves, so they went from partners to enemies.
#KeepEyesOnSudan
- Himedti & his RSF claim they are “protectors of democracy”, and they’re fighting SAF bc they represent the old dictatorship that Sudanese people revolted against in 2019.
(Remember that IG post Rihanna made and how everyone turned their profiles blue? That.)
#KeepEyesOnSudan
(Remember that IG post Rihanna made and how everyone turned their profiles blue? That.)
#KeepEyesOnSudan
- Burhan & SAF claim that RSF is a rebel militia & a terrorist org (they’re not wrong, more on that in a bit), and that they are fighting to protect Sudanese people, defeat the enemy& return Sudan back to its path to democracy.
But here’s where it gets murky:
#KeepEyesOnSudan
But here’s where it gets murky:
#KeepEyesOnSudan
- Before the Himedti & RSF “went straight” (read: legitimized by the govt), they were the Janjaweed militia, who were contracted by the Sudanese govt to commit atrocities in Darfur.
(Remember 2003 George Clooney & Save Darfur campaign? That.)
#KeepEyesOnSudan
(Remember 2003 George Clooney & Save Darfur campaign? That.)
#KeepEyesOnSudan
- Burhan & SAF were also participants in those atrocities, and the Janjaweed (RSF) were their support.
"Fun"fact: SAF/Sudan govt (cuz they RAN the govt for the last 30+ yrs) has a long history of oppression/atrocities (see South Sudan, Blue Nile, Nuba Mts)
#KeepEyesOnSudan
"Fun"fact: SAF/Sudan govt (cuz they RAN the govt for the last 30+ yrs) has a long history of oppression/atrocities (see South Sudan, Blue Nile, Nuba Mts)
#KeepEyesOnSudan
- Up until 04/14/2023, SAF & RSF were like this 🤞🏾; they worked together to suppress pro-democracy/anti-military govt protests, and popular demands to disband RSF.
(Ppl were killed for protesting; intl community told protesters they aren't being "reasonable")
#KeepEyesOnSudan
(Ppl were killed for protesting; intl community told protesters they aren't being "reasonable")
#KeepEyesOnSudan
So where did that murkiness lead us?
- Burhan & Himedti decided they didnt want to share oppressing us anymore, so their war has now entered its 7th month, affecting at least 6 major cities (including capital Khartoum), as well as many towns & rural areas.
#KeepEyesOnSudan
- Burhan & Himedti decided they didnt want to share oppressing us anymore, so their war has now entered its 7th month, affecting at least 6 major cities (including capital Khartoum), as well as many towns & rural areas.
#KeepEyesOnSudan
- RSF has looted (/taken over) countless homes in those cities, expelling their owners out of them, killing them if they refuse to leave.
- Sexual violence has been one of their preferred weapons of war (part of their legacy); estimated 8,000 cases so far.
#KeepEyesOnSudan
- Sexual violence has been one of their preferred weapons of war (part of their legacy); estimated 8,000 cases so far.
#KeepEyesOnSudan
- In Darfur, RSF has re-enacted many of its old crimes, killing based on ethnic/tribal background, looting & burning villages.
- In West Darfur alone, estimated 10,000 killed; all reports point to campaign of ethnic cleansing was carried out there.
#KeepEyesOnSudan
- In West Darfur alone, estimated 10,000 killed; all reports point to campaign of ethnic cleansing was carried out there.
#KeepEyesOnSudan
- Complete collapse of the healthcare system, no education, untold damages to infrastructure (buildings, roads, telecom, etc); IMF estimates that in the first 3 months alone, Sudan incurred $49 BILLION in losses.
$100 million daily.
(BTW: we can’t afford that)
#KeepEyesOnSudan
$100 million daily.
(BTW: we can’t afford that)
#KeepEyesOnSudan
- 24 million nationwide in desperate need of aid, and most in the conflict zones can’t be reached bc SAF & RSF refuse to create safe corridors, and SAF refuses to allow humanitarian workers to come in.
(Note: many orgs who WERE here evacuated w/the first shots)
#KeepEyesOnSudan
(Note: many orgs who WERE here evacuated w/the first shots)
#KeepEyesOnSudan
- At least 9000 estimated killed (a gross underestimate & NOT counting W. Darfur), unknown # of injured & missing.
- 5.6 million people displaced in 6 months — the largest # of displaced ppl on planet earth.
#KeepEyesOnSudan
- 5.6 million people displaced in 6 months — the largest # of displaced ppl on planet earth.
#KeepEyesOnSudan
Still here?
We can’t get an accurate count of the dead; we can’t even bury them.
Ppl who tried to take bodies to cemetery were shot.
At some point, we ran out of body bags.
Those who WERE put in the ground, were buried wherever they died.
Many decomposed in the streets.
We can’t get an accurate count of the dead; we can’t even bury them.
Ppl who tried to take bodies to cemetery were shot.
At some point, we ran out of body bags.
Those who WERE put in the ground, were buried wherever they died.
Many decomposed in the streets.
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