Detention Facilities and Practices in Khartoum State Amid Sudan Conflict

Khartoum State has become the epicenter of conflict between the SAF and RSF since April 2023, resulting in severe human rights violations and a humanitarian crisis. The RSF has seized control of urban areas, repurposing civilian infrastructure into military bases and detention centers. The report examines the conditions within these facilities and highlights inhumane practices faced by civilians amid ongoing hostilities.

Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, became the focal point of conflict following an outbreak on April 15, 2023, between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This conflict arose from disputes concerning security sector reform and resulted in severe human rights violations, including unlawful killings and arbitrary detentions. Civilians have suffered immensely, experiencing large-scale displacement and significant infrastructure destruction, alongside a deteriorating humanitarian crisis. Consequently, urban warfare has transformed once-thriving areas into uninhabitable regions, limiting access to essential resources such as clean water and healthcare.

By mid-2023, the RSF had gained control over much of Khartoum State, repurposing civilian infrastructures like homes and schools into military bases and detention centers. In contrast, the SAF maintained control over strategic locations, engaging in fierce battles against RSF forces. As of September 2024, the SAF’s attempts to recapture critical areas resulted in heightened conflict intensity across the state.

This report investigates the detention practices employed by both the RSF and the SAF in Khartoum State, placing a particular emphasis on the facilities managed by these parties. Utilizing testimonies from victims and witnesses, it sheds light on the violations of human rights and international humanitarian law occurring within these detention centers. The changing dynamics of territorial control have created a volatile environment, where civilian areas are at risk, and oversight for protecting human rights is markedly insufficient. The analysis focuses on the conditions of detention facilities from April 15, 2023, to June 2024, emphasizing the alarming circumstances civilians endure regardless of changing conflict lines.

The conflict in Khartoum State has led to a significant deterioration in civilian safety and rights, characterized by widespread human rights abuses, particularly in detention facilities controlled by both the RSF and SAF. The urban warfare landscape has not only displaced millions but also compromised access to essential services for the remaining population. Continuous shifts in territorial control exacerbate these challenges, underlining the urgent need for effective oversight to protect civilians amidst the ongoing hostilities.

Original Source: reliefweb.int