Human Rights Report | September 23, 2026
Reporting Period: September 1–20, 2026 | Central Darfur
- Introduction
This report, issued by the “Sudan Rights Watch Network,” provides a preliminary overview of various security incidents and reported violations across different areas of Central Darfur State specifically Zalingei Locality and the Barda and Deleij areas during September 2026.
Documented incidents include the killing and injury of civilians, armed assaults, looting, arbitrary detention accompanied by allegations of financial extortion, and recurring disappearances. Additionally, the report addresses administrative and security decisions issued by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF)-affiliated civil administration regarding the eviction of certain shelters and government facilities currently housing displaced persons.
This report is presented as a preliminary account based on available information and is not a substitute for independent or judicial investigations. Certain details—particularly regarding the identities of perpetrators, motives, and individual liability—require further verification and interviews with relevant witnesses and sources.
- Security Events and Civilian Protection
- Incidents in Barda Village and Deleij Market
According to available information, the events began on the evening of Tuesday, September 1, 2026 around 9:00 PM in the village of Barda (located north of the Deleij area). The incidents were triggered when several citizens attempted to intervene to protect a young woman from an attempted rape. Reports indicate that the incident escalated into armed confrontations between a number of gunmen and local residents, resulting in the deaths of two citizens: Abdul-Majid Adam Abdul-Razzaq (34) a married farmer and father of one and Abdul-Malik Juma’a Abdullah (30), also a farmer.
According to field information from sources with the “Sudan Rights Watch Network” in the state, tensions persisted in the village of Barda throughout Wednesday and Thursday, coinciding with efforts by community committees, fact-finding bodies, and social mediation groups aimed at containing the tension and preventing a recurrence of clashes.
On Thursday, September 3, reports indicate a new escalation in the Deleij area. A group of gunmen on motorcycles gathered and headed toward the Deleij market, even as the committee tasked with addressing the aftermath of the Barda events was continuing its work in the area.
The group reportedly attempted to loot the market and steal motorcycles, sparking clashes with local youths. According to field accounts, the incident resulted in injuries to four citizens:
- Najm al-Din Abdul-Rahman (known as “Wad Darsha”), 35, married, a medical specialist at Deleij Hospital; he sustained a gunshot wound to the leg near the hospital.
- Abdul-Wahid, a student; he was shot in the leg while at the Deleij market.
- Shamou Muhammad; he sustained an injury to one of his legs.
- Al-Nour Mustafa Muhammad Basha; he was assaulted and injured during the theft of his motorcycle.
III. Detention and Allegations of Financial Extortion
- Detention of Mr. Faisal Mohamed Ali Suleiman
On September 5, reports indicated that a force from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) police Northern Division detained Mr. Faisal Mohamed Ali Suleiman (38 years old) at his workplace in the Al-Hasaheisa neighborhood, north of the water tank.
According to field information, the detention was carried out based on an accusation that he had stolen a car tire from the Al-Wahda neighborhood; the tire allegedly belonged to an RSF lieutenant. Reports state that individuals involved in the detention demanded a payment of 960,000 Sudanese pounds in exchange for the detainee’s release. Furthermore, accounts include allegations that children under the age of 15 were used as witnesses regarding the incident in question.
These allegations raise serious concerns regarding potential violations of the right to liberty and personal security, fair trial guarantees, and the prohibition of extortion and coercion, as well as the possible exploitation of children in criminal proceedings. It is important to emphasize that characterizing the incident as the work of a “criminal network” or a systematic practice requires further independent investigation to establish accountability, determine the frequency of such practices, and identify the entities or individuals involved.
IV. Armed Assault and Property Looting
- Assault on Mohammed Al-Rashid Mohammed Adam Abdullah
On September 9, 2026, at approximately 7:00 PM, Mohammed Al-Rashid Mohammed Adam Abdullah a 27-year-old student was subjected to an armed assault in the Al-Hasaheisa neighborhood (East of the Water Tank area) in Zalingei Locality.
According to field reports, the victim was returning home from the market when he was intercepted by two unidentified armed individuals dressed in civilian clothing; one of them was carrying a Kalashnikov rifle. Sources indicate that the two individuals assaulted him and stole a sum of 390,000 Sudanese Pounds before fleeing the scene. This incident raises concerns regarding civilian safety and freedom of movement, particularly given the use of firearms to commit robbery and looting within residential areas.
- Shooting Incidents and the Killing of a Female Citizen
- Al-Hamidiya Camp Incident
On September 6, 2026, at approximately midnight, a shooting incident occurred at Al-Hamidiya Camp (Block 3, east of the “Center Market”) in Zalingei Locality. According to available information, Kawthar Khamis Saleh a 39-year-old mother of eight sustained a gunshot wound to the head.
Reports indicate that the person who shot her was her husband, known as Al-Zubair (37 years old), and suggest that he is linked to gangs operating in conjunction with drug traffickers. Sources also reported that a neighbor of the victim, known as “Al-Kaya,” sustained a leg injury from gunfire during the same incident. Establishing criminal liability for this event requires further independent and comprehensive investigation, including interviewing witnesses and determining the circumstances of the shooting, the weapon used, and the motive behind the incident.
- The Phenomenon of Disappearances in the State
- Disappearance of a Woman and Karam
The city of Zalingei, in Central Darfur State, has recently seen an emergence of disappearances; sources from the “Sudan Rights Watch Network” have documented several cases of enforced disappearance, including two specific instances. The first case concerns Ms. Mawadda Mahmoud Ibrahim, a resident of the “Five Minutes” camp in Zalingei. She left Zalingei for the Adré area in Chad, accompanied by her son, Asaad Adam Abdullah, for medical treatment. She was subsequently returning from Adré to El Geneina; twenty-one days have passed since her departure without any information regarding her fate or whereabouts.
The second case concerns Karam al-Din Abu Bakr Muhammad Adam known as “Abu” a twenty-year-old resident of Al-Hamidiyah Camp (Block 2) in Zalingei, Central Darfur. He left Zalingei about ten months ago, heading for Atbara in northern Sudan, but never reached his destination. His family reports receiving information that he was arrested in Umm Badir approximately nine months ago; however, search efforts have failed to locate him. There was also activity on his Facebook account about five months ago, though there was no direct contact with his family. His fate and whereabouts remain unknown, amidst unconfirmed reports regarding his detention.
VII. Decisions Regarding Displaced Persons and Shelter Centers
- Decisions by the Central Darfur State Security Committee
On September 16 and 17, 2026, the Central Darfur State Security Committee held meetings addressing various security and administrative issues. These meetings resulted in two decisions concerning market regulation and the resumption of educational activities. Decisions regarding the evacuation of schools currently serving as shelter centers have raised concerns about the situation of displaced persons, particularly given the lack of clarity regarding available alternative housing.
The first decision, issued on September 16, 2026, prohibited the hoarding and stockpiling of sorghum and millet crops within the boundaries of Zalingei Locality. It granted warehouse owners a 72-hour grace period to clear their stocks, stipulating that any quantities found to be hoarded after this deadline would be confiscated, and directing security and judicial authorities to enforce the decision immediately.
The second decision, issued on September 17, 2026, mandated the evacuation within 72 hours of three secondary schools currently used as shelters for displaced persons: Umm Al-Mu’minin Secondary School, the Girls’ Secondary School, and Al-Zahra Girls’ Secondary School. According to the decision, the evacuation was intended to enable the schools to resume educational activities. However, carrying out the evacuation without providing suitable and safe alternatives for the displaced persons could exacerbate their humanitarian situation. This is particularly critical for families who have lost their homes or are unable to return to their areas of origin due to ongoing security risks or the presence of unexploded ordnance. Furthermore, the conditions associated with the rainy season including rain and cold weather increase the vulnerability of families who may find themselves without adequate shelter. VIII. Preliminary Human Rights Assessment
The facts presented in this report point to a range of concerns regarding the protection of civilians in Central Darfur State, most notably:
- Right to life and physical integrity: Incidents of killing and injury resulting from gunfire within residential areas indicate persistent threats to civilian lives.
- Protection of civilians from armed violence: Clashes, armed attacks, and acts of looting raise concerns regarding the ability of the civilian population to go about their daily lives and move safely.
- Right to liberty and security of person: Allegations of arrest and enforced disappearance lacking clear legal due process particularly those involving demands for money in exchange for release require an independent investigation to determine whether arbitrary detention or extortion has occurred.
- Protection of women and children: The shooting of citizen Kawthar Khamis Saleh, as well as allegations regarding the use of children as witnesses, warrants special attention from authorities responsible for the protection of women and children.
- Protection of property: Acts of looting and the seizure of civilian property, if substantiated, constitute violations requiring investigation and accountability.
- Right to housing and humanitarian protection for displaced persons: Evacuating schools and government institutions used as shelters poses a significant humanitarian challenge unless accompanied by the provision of safe and suitable alternatives for displaced persons.
- Risks of unexploded military remnants: The presence of unexploded military remnants in areas to which displaced persons might return necessitates a technical assessment, as well as clearance and safety measures, prior to authorizing return or resettlement.
- Policy Recommendations
Based on the reported facts, the report recommends the following:
- Regarding the protection of civilians
- Taking urgent measures to ensure the protection of civilians in Zalingei, Deleij, Barda, and surrounding areas.
- Prohibiting the carrying and use of weapons in markets and residential areas in violation of the law.
- Strengthening measures aimed at preventing assaults, looting, and attacks on civilian property.
- Regarding investigation and accountability
- Conducting independent and transparent investigations into incidents of killing, injury, shooting, and looting. – Identify those responsible for violations regardless of their status or affiliation and hold them accountable in accordance with the law.
- Ensure that perpetrators of grave violations do not escape accountability.
- Regarding Detention and Arbitrary Arrests
- Ensure that no person is detained except in accordance with legal procedures.
- Enable detainees to know the reasons for their arrest and to benefit from legal safeguards.
- Investigate allegations regarding demands for money in exchange for the release of detainees.
- Prevent the involvement of children in unlawful proceedings or testimony, and prevent their exploitation in criminal disputes.
- Regarding Displaced Persons
- Refrain from evacuating shelters before providing safe and suitable alternatives that uphold the dignity of displaced persons.
- Conduct individual assessments of the situations of the most vulnerable families, particularly women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.
- Involve representatives of displaced persons, civil society, and humanitarian actors in formulating evacuation and resettlement plans.
- Regarding Military Remnants
- Conduct technical surveys of areas designated for the return of displaced persons.
- Clear unexploded ordnance and war remnants before permitting habitation or return to those areas.
- Raise awareness among the population especially children about the dangers of munitions and unexploded remnants.
- Regarding Administrative Decisions
- Ensure that decisions regarding eviction, confiscation, and zoning comply with relevant legal frameworks.
- Provide clear mechanisms for lodging grievances and challenging decisions that affect citizens’ rights or property.
- Take into account the humanitarian and security situations of displaced persons when implementing any decisions concerning shelters.
- Conclusion
The events detailed in this report reveal interconnected challenges regarding the protection of civilians, the rule of law, access to justice, and the protection of displaced persons in Central Darfur State specifically in Zalingei locality and its surrounding areas.
While certain administrative measures as outlined in official decrees aim to reactivate government institutions, resume education, and regulate markets, their implementation within a fragile humanitarian and security environment requires clear safeguards to prevent exacerbating risks to civilians and displaced persons.
Accordingly, the Sudan Rights Watch Network emphasizes that the current priority remains ensuring the protection of life and physical safety; preventing violence, looting, and arbitrary detention; providing safe shelter alternatives; conducting independent investigations into reported violations; and upholding accountability and the rule of law.
Sudan Rights Watch Network
September 23, 2026