Revenge Attacks by Government Army and Arab Militias Intensify in Western Sudan (8/25/2003)

Following the Sudan Liberation Army's (SLA) brief occupation of Kutum town early in August, the Sudanese army and its allied Arab militias launched extensive attacks against civilians from Zaghawa, Fur, Massaliet and other black African groups in western Sudan.

After the SLA fighters evacuated Kutum, government soldiers and Arab militiamen killed nearly 20 people in the town in broad daylight, allegedly for collaborating with the SLA. The summary executions were intended to create fear and serve as a warning to others.

Government soldiers and Arab militias also targeted several villages. Since August 18th, nineteen villages south and west of Geneina were destroyed, including Tarbaiba, Kaseiyeh, Shishta and Haraza, and other areas around Beida town. Approximately 50 Massaliet, Dajo and Sinjar civilians died in the attacks. Moreover, an estimated two thousand people fled to Chad. The attacks also engulfed villages to the north of Geneina. On August 19th, Khazan Abu Jidad, Tawilla, Hajer and other villages were targeted, leaving 10 people dead.

In addition, fighting between government and SLA fighters has intensified in areas between Kornoy and Kabkabia towns in Northern Darfur since August 22nd. It is certain that more civilians will die in the renewed fighting.

The suffering in western Sudan has dramatically worsened because more government troops and Arab militias have relocated from southern Sudan since the ceasefire between the government and Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA). Arab militias that terrorized and enslaved southern Sudanese are increasingly responding to calls by President Omar Bashir and members of his government in Khartoum to join the fighting in western Sudan. As a result, impunity has become the order of the day in western Sudan.

We urge human rights organizations and governments that care about human rights to press Bashir's government to end the atrocities in western Sudan.