In a shocking development, a mass grave containing at least 87 bodies has been unearthed in Sudan’s West Darfur state. The discovery comes as a regional summit, hosted by Egypt to address the crisis in Sudan, is set to commence. The United Nations human rights office has identified the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) as the likely perpetrators of this heinous act.
The UN has reported that the mass grave includes the remains of Masalit people, indicating that the violence in the region is ethnically motivated. Sudan has been embroiled in a conflict since April 15, with clashes between the country’s army and the RSF. Rights groups have previously documented attacks by the RSF and Arab militias against the non-Arab Masalit community.
Expressing deep concern, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk condemned the killings and the disrespectful treatment of the victims and their families. Turk has called for a thorough investigation into the matter.
The RSF, however, vehemently denies any responsibility for the mass grave. A senior RSF official claimed that they had no involvement in the conflict, suggesting it was a tribal dispute. Another RSF source expressed willingness to cooperate with an investigation, stating that the force would hand over any fighters found guilty.
The international community is alarmed by the unfolding situation, as it rekindles memories of the atrocities committed in Darfur after 2003, where over 300,000 people lost their lives in ethnic cleansing.
Meanwhile, at the regional summit in Cairo, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi presented his plan to resolve the crisis in Sudan. El-Sisi’s proposal includes a three-month ceasefire, safe passages for aid, and channels of communication between the warring factions. He urged all stakeholders to prioritize the best interests of Sudan and keep external interference at bay.
Egypt’s plan draws heavily on their longstanding close ties with the Sudanese army, offering a potential path towards resolution. The summit was attended by leaders from the Central African Republic, Chad, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Libya, and South Sudan. The possibility of sending troops to Sudan to protect civilians was also discussed.
Most participants at the summit expressed support for Egypt’s plan, but Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed called for alignment with the proposal put forward by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) earlier in the week. Ethiopia and Egypt have had strained relations recently due to disagreements over the construction of a dam on the Blue Nile.
This regional summit represents the latest international effort to mediate peace in Sudan. Previous ceasefires brokered by the United States and Saudi Arabia have failed to hold. It is worth noting that Sudan’s army boycotted the IGAD summit, citing perceived bias from lead sponsor Kenya.
