Rapid Support Forces welcomed in South Darfur capital; rebels accused of attacks

In Nyala, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) were welcomed by the Governor of South Darfur on Monday, after they had paraded through the State’s capital. In his speech to them, the Governor accused the rebel movements of being behind the attacks on the villages southeast of Nyala on Thursday and Friday. The rebel forces strongly deny the accusations. Speaking to Radio Dabanga, residents of Nyala reported that RSF troops in about 650 Land Cruisers loaded with various weapons, entered the city on Monday at about 11am. Their continuous firing into the air terrified the citizens. “The parade passed by the South Darfur’s Legislative Council, the buildings of the Security Apparatus, and then entered the garrison of Nyala. There the RSF were addressed by the State Governor and the Commander of the garrison. After that they moved to the area of Domia. Later on the day they returned to Nyala North, where they had a copious meal for which about 60 camels had been slaughtered.” The Central Market of Nyala was partially closed, while the shop keepers at the Malaja market all shut their doors in fear of plundering by the “RSF Janjaweed”. According to the sources, the residents of Nyala did not go out to welcome the RSF, “despite an invitation from the South Darfur Governor and the Commander of the 16th Infantry Division”. ‘Rebels destroyed the villages’ The Governor of South Darfur, Maj. Gen. Adam Mahmoud Jarelnabi, accused the rebel movements of burning the land and villages in the areas of Um Gunja and Hijir (Tunjo) during their withdrawal from the region. He said this while addressing RSF troops at the Nyala military garrison on Monday. “The rebels have been unable to keep the RSF from entering their stronghold areas of Um Gunja, Hijer Tunjo, and neighbouring villages, so they withdrew, destroying the places.” The commander of the Nyala garrison announced that the Sudan Armed Forces are deploying army units in the areas southeast of Nyala, and acclaimed the RSF. “The operations of the RSF will be crucial in the final deterring of the rebellion in all states of Darfur.” ‘No rebel forces present in the area’ Speaking to Radio Dabanga, Minni Minawi, the leader of the Sudan Liberation Movement, and Vice- President of the Sudan Revolutionary Front (an alliance of Sudanese opposition groups) strongly denied the accusations of the South Darfur Governor. “There has been no fighting between the Darfur resistance forces and the government-backed militias, simply because of the fact that no rebel forces were present at the time. We had withdrawn from the area before the attacks took place, heading towards Haskanita and Alliet Jarelnabi in North Darfur.” “Maj. Gen. Adam Mahmoud earlier announced that they are in the process of cleansing these areas. Well, they did cleanse the area of all civilians. Thus the Governor of South Darfur has become involved in crimes against humanity, in the murder and displacement of innocent citizens, and the rapes and abductions of women in the area. If he takes his accusations seriously, he should allow regional and international organisations, in particular the UN, to conduct a neutral investigation into what really happened.” File photo: Survivors of the attack on their village, southeast of Nyala (Darfur Relief and Documentation Centre)  Related: Rebels condemn militia attacks on South Darfur villages (3 March 2014)Escalating violence: Unamid calls for unhindered access in South Darfur (3 March 2014) 18,000 newly displaced arrive at South Darfur camps; El Salam camp surrounded by militia forces (3 March 2014)Joint rebel forces attack two military garrisons in North Darfur (2 March 2014) Thousands displaced in attack on more than 35 villages in South Darfur (28 February 2014) ‘Rapid Support Forces in Darfur to fight rebels’: General (26 February 2014)