“Defending Darfur: The Brave Women Warriors of North Darfur Stand Against the RSF”
North Darfur, Sudan – Sara Ismail, a 30-year-old member of the Sudan Liberation Army belonging to Minnie Arko Minnawi (SLA-MM), is on the front lines in the central market of el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur. She wears a black hijab and camouflage, and wields an AK-47, ready to protect her land and community.
The looming threat of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group fighting the Sudanese army for control of Sudan since April 2023, has pushed Ismail and others to take up arms. The RSF, known for their brutal violence against non-Arabs in Darfur, including sexual violence as a weapon of war, has instilled fear in the region.
The history of conflict in Darfur dates back to 2003 when former President Omar al-Bashir outsourced the task of crushing an uprising by non-Arab groups to Arab tribal militias, known as the Janjaweed. This led to accusations of ethnic cleansing and genocide, with the Janjaweed committing harrowing abuses against the non-Arab population.
In the current conflict, the RSF has conquered four Darfur states and is closing in on el-Fasher. The standoff has divided armed groups along ethnic lines, with non-Arab tribes preparing to defend themselves against the RSF. Human rights abuses, including mass killings, expulsions, and kidnappings, have been reported by both sides in the conflict.
The Zaghawa tribe, one of North Darfur’s largest tribes, has been particularly vulnerable to attacks by the RSF. Satellite imagery shows deliberate destruction of Zaghawa communities and ongoing shelling of el-Fasher, displacing thousands of civilians.
The situation in Zamzam camp, home to displaced people from the conflict, is dire. The RSF’s advance towards el-Fasher has raised concerns of an impending attack on the camp, where residents fear massacres if the RSF captures the city. Aid agencies have struggled to deliver food to the camp, leading to a famine declaration by the UN.
As the RSF continues its assault on Zamzam and other areas in Darfur, the people are left to defend themselves. Ismail and others have taken up arms to protect their community and resist the RSF’s advance, vowing to fight until their last breath.
The threat of all-out war and mass killings looms over Darfur, with the RSF’s actions sparking fear and resistance among the population. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, as the people of Darfur brace for the worst in the face of escalating violence and humanitarian crisis.