Posted on 09 April 2024
Geneina, the capital of West Darfur state in Sudan, stands as a stark testament to the ravages of war. The city, which has endured two major massacres since the outbreak of conflict between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in April last year, presents a landscape of contrasts. Amidst the mass graves and remnants of violence, life attempts to persist with the opening of new restaurants and markets. However, the scars of battle are evident, with abandoned armored vehicles, homeless children, and buildings pocked with bullet holes serving as somber reminders of the recent turmoil.
The human cost of the conflict has been immense, with more than 10,000 people, predominantly from the Masalit population, losing their lives, and thousands more fleeing to neighboring Chad. The RSF and allied Arab militias have been implicated in horrific abuses, including the torture and murder of the Masalit governor of West Darfur state, which precipitated a mass exodus. A UN investigation uncovered a mass grave of dozens of Masalit civilians, allegedly killed by the RSF, highlighting the urgent need for accountability and support for the survivors of these atrocities.
As detailed in The Guardian's recent report, the city's landscape bears witness to the profound human suffering and trauma inflicted upon its residents. Decades of violence have left indelible marks on Geneina, shaping its identity and perpetuating a cycle of unrest that continues to plague the region.
Source: The Guardian
Photo: Oxfam East Africa via Wikimedia Commons