As Egypt plays host to a summit aimed at finding a solution to the crisis in Sudan, a disturbing development has come to light. A mass grave containing at least 87 bodies has been uncovered in Sudan’s West Darfur state. The United Nations human rights office has indicated that the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are believed to be responsible for these atrocities. The revelation comes on the same day the summit commenced in Cairo.
According to the UN, the mass grave includes the remains of Masalit people, suggesting that the violence in the region has an ethnic dimension. Sudan has been grappling with a conflict that erupted on April 15 between its army and the RSF. Reports from rights groups have highlighted attacks by the RSF and Arab militias targeting the non-Arab Masalit population in the area.
The bodies were allegedly buried by force near the city of el-Geneina between June 20 and June 21. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, expressed deep condemnation for the killings and called for an investigation into the matter. He also voiced his outrage at the disrespectful treatment of the deceased and their families.
While the RSF has denied any involvement in the mass graves, asserting that the conflict is tribal in nature, the UN’s claims point to a different reality. A senior RSF official rejected the allegations, attributing them to political motivations. However, the RSF has stated its willingness to cooperate with any investigation and hand over individuals who have violated the law.
The situation in Darfur has raised concerns about a recurrence of the atrocities witnessed after 2003 when more than 300,000 people lost their lives in what can only be described as ethnic cleansing.
Simultaneously, during the summit in Cairo, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi presented his plan to end the conflict. The proposed plan involves a three-month ceasefire, the establishment of safe passages for aid, and fostering communication between the warring factions. El-Sisi emphasized the need for Sudanese parties to prioritize the nation’s interests and prevent external interference that seeks to serve narrow agendas.
Egypt’s plan capitalizes on its historically close ties with the Sudanese army. The summit was attended by leaders from the Central African Republic, Chad, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Libya, and South Sudan. The participants also discussed the possibility of deploying troops to Sudan to protect civilians.
While most leaders welcomed Egypt’s plan, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed suggested aligning it with the proposal put forth by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), an East African regional body. He cautioned against imparting unsolicited wisdom to Sudan and further complicating the fragile situation. Ethiopia and Egypt have experienced strained relations due to conflicts over the construction of a dam on the Blue Nile by Ethiopia.
The summit represents the latest international effort to mediate peace and address the ongoing conflict in Sudan. Prior ceasefires brokered by the United States and Saudi Arabia have failed in recent months. Notably, Sudan’s army boycotted the IGAD summit, accusing lead sponsor Kenya of bias.
