The Sudanese army has accused the Rapid Support Forces of kidnapping and assassinating West Darfur governor, Khamees Abkar, who had, hours before his death, held these forces responsible for violations committed in the state, particularly in its capital, Geneina. The Sudanese armed forces stated in a statement that they "strongly condemn the treacherous act carried out by the rebellious Rapid Support militia, by kidnapping and assassinating the governor of West Darfur, Khamees Abdullah Abkar," despite the fact that he "has no connection to the ongoing conflict" between the two parties that has persisted for two months.
Abkar was one of the leaders of the rebel movements that signed the Juba Peace Agreement with the government in 2020 in an effort to end the nearly two-decade-long conflict in the region. His death came hours after he accused the Rapid Support Forces of "destroying" the city of Geneina and firing shells "at the heads of citizens" in Geneina where he was present. He added, "Today, citizens are being killed in a very random manner and in large numbers. We have many injured people today who cannot find treatment. We do not have a hospital (...). There is currently no health institution providing services to citizens."
Abkar described his state as "disaster-stricken," adding, "Today Geneina is completely vulnerable... everything has been destroyed." He continued, "This is a people that has been killed in cold blood in very large numbers, in the thousands (...) therefore we need decisive international intervention to protect what remains of lives in this area."
UN mission chief in Sudan, Volker Perthes, warned on Tuesday that the violence in the Darfur region could rise to "crimes against humanity." Perthes stated, "As the situation in Darfur continues to deteriorate, I am particularly concerned about the situation in Geneina following various waves of violence since late April, which has taken on ethnic dimensions."
For its part, the National Umma Party, one of the prominent political parties in Sudan, described the violence in Geneina as a "complete humanitarian crime, making it undoubtedly a disaster-stricken area, which requires its official declaration so that international organizations may play their role regarding the situation there."
