Preemptive Human Rights Statement | April 16, 2026
With the armed conflict in Sudan ongoing since April 2023, Sudan Rights Watch Network is following with grave concern the rapidly escalating situation in the Al-Tina area of North Darfur State, located on the Sudanese Chadian border. The area holds strategic importance as a vital border crossing and key logistical corridor, making it a focal point for military operations between the warring parties. This has directly impacted the situation of civilians and their fundamental rights.
First: The Security and Military Situation:
Field data from network sources in North and West Darfur indicates that the Al-Tina area is currently under the control of joint forces and the Sudanese army, supported by allied forces. This comes amidst a growing influx of civilians seeking refuge in the area following the recent events that led to the fall of El Fasher in late October 2015. The area has thus become a major hub for a significant number of displaced persons, and any military escalation would severely worsen their situation in terms of human rights, humanitarian conditions, and security. The area is witnessing intermittent clashes between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), along with repeated attacks by the RSF on the area. This reflects a state of ongoing security fragility and the potential for military escalation at any time.
Information available to the network’s sources indicates that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have recently intensified their military movements in the Darfur region, focusing their operations on the Al-Tina area. This includes drone strikes on the area, the most recent of which occurred in mid-March, resulting in significant civilian casualties and property damage.
Field reports obtained by the network also indicate that the RSF, under the command of Major General Musa Hamid Ambilwa and with the participation of the head of the civilian administration in West Darfur, Tijani Al-Tahir Karshoum, are mobilizing fighters and recruits in preparation for a potential attack on the region. These movements have included field visits to the localities of Beida, Kanqo Haraza, Ba’awda, and Forbaranga, where meetings were held with local leaders and dignitaries to bolster recruitment and military mobilization efforts. This reflects clear indications of an imminent military escalation in the coming days. In the same vein, armed groups and mobilized forces are mobilizing in the border areas between Sudan and Chad, and have entered the city of El Geneina, increasing the likelihood of wider clashes. There are growing fears that the conflict could escalate into a tribal war, given the region’s social structure, which falls within the territory of the Zaghawa tribal sultanate, and the rise in hate speech and ethnic tensions.
Second: The Humanitarian Situation and Displacement:
The recent deterioration in security and intermittent military clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces have led to a large-scale displacement of between 11,000 and 16,000 people, representing the vast majority of the region’s population. Between 60% and 70% of these displaced persons have sought refuge within Chad, particularly in the Kafrana region, while the remainder have fled to other areas within Sudan, including neighboring states and regions.
The displaced persons and refugees are living in extremely difficult humanitarian conditions, with severely limited access to food, water, healthcare, and shelter. Reports indicate that approximately 80% of households have lost their sources of income, while between 65% and 75% face high levels of food insecurity. Most displaced persons rely on host communities or limited humanitarian assistance, and the humanitarian response is hampered by security restrictions and limited access to affected areas.
[Note: The phrase “The displaced persons and refugees” appears to be a separate, unrelated statement and has been omitted from the translation.]
Third: Humanitarian Access and Logistical Challenges:
According to information gathered by the network from its field sources, the Tine area was previously a key humanitarian corridor for delivering aid to North Darfur. However, current security restrictions and movement limitations have severely hampered this role. While limited cross-border trade continues, and some food and basic commodities are entering from the Chadian side, this has not been sufficient to meet the growing needs of the affected population.
Fourth: Potential Risks and Violations:
Current indicators point to serious risks threatening civilians, including:
- The risk of forced recruitment of local residents into armed groups.
- Escalating hate speech that could lead to mass violence.
- The potential for serious human rights violations, similar to what has occurred in other parts of Darfur.
- Tensions between Chadian authorities and local residents in Tine, Chad, stemming from house searches conducted under the pretext of looking for weapons, which have been met with community resistance. 5. Escalating cross-border tribal tensions between communities in the Sudanese and Chadian regions of Tina.
Fifth: Main Challenges:
Based on the above data and information, the challenges can be summarized as follows:
- Continued military operations and deteriorating security situation.
- Mass displacement and a rising number of refugees in Chad.
- Difficulty in humanitarian access and a weak international response.
- Precarious living conditions and collapse of income sources.
- The risk of sliding into a large-scale tribal conflict in the region or state.
Sixth: Recommendations:
In light of this fragile and extremely dangerous situation, and to avoid a repeat of the El Fasher tragedy, Sudan Rights Watch Network calls for:
- An immediate cessation of hostilities in the Tina region and surrounding areas due to the widespread and severe human rights and humanitarian repercussions on the lives of civilians.
- The establishment of safe and sustainable humanitarian corridors for civilians in all circumstances to ensure unimpeded access for aid.
- Strengthen the humanitarian response within Sudan, in displacement camps, and in refugee areas in Chad.
- Provide urgent support to host communities bearing increasing burdens.
- Take urgent measures to prevent forced recruitment and protect civilians.
- Support community reconciliation initiatives to reduce tribal tensions.
- Implement urgent and effective interventions to ensure the protection of civilians and prevent the recurrence of grave violations.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the situation in the Tina region reflects the complexities of the Sudanese crisis, which has persisted for over three years, where human rights, security, humanitarian, social, and ethnic dimensions intertwine within a highly fragile context. With no prospect of a near-term political solution and ongoing violations against civilians, urgent and coordinated action by the international community and internal actors is essential to avert a wider humanitarian catastrophe and ensure the protection of civilians in Darfur, particularly vulnerable groups.
April 16, 2026
Sudan Rights Watch Network