The five states of Darfur witnessed significant deterioration in the security situation and human
rights conditions throughout March 2026. Armed conflicts escalated in major urban centers and
rural areas, resulting in direct targeting of civilians through killings, armed assaults, and tribal
clashes. These events caused a partial paralysis of markets, restrictions on population movement,
and a sharp rise in fear and instability.
Incidents of killing and armed attacks multiplied to encompass both civilians and military
personnel alike. Major cities including El Geneina, Nyala, Ed Da’ein, Zalingei, and Garsila
witnessed shooting incidents targeting local leaders, traders, and members of the Rapid Support
Forces (RSF). Intensive activity by aerial drones and unidentified armed vehicles was also
observed some of which likely belonged to the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) creating widespread
panic and deep security uncertainty.
Fires spread extensively, affecting civilian homes and properties in the Kalma Camp in Nyala and
the Al-Jumhuriyya neighborhood in Yassin locality, East Darfur. These fires resulted in the
destruction of crops and personal belongings, as well as civilian casualties including children,
compounding humanitarian suffering in the affected areas.
Darfur also witnessed a series of human rights violations, most notably the arbitrary detention of
civil servants, activists, and healthcare workers without adherence to due legal process. Civilians
were subjected to airstrikes and drone attacks targeting markets and hospitals, resulting in dozens
of casualty’s men, women, and children—as well as widespread destruction of civilian
infrastructure, including the Teaching Hospital in Ed Da’ein.
Brutal assaults within private residences were also documented, including the death of a Nyala
physician following a violent home intrusion and repeated stab wounds stemming from a rental
dispute. These attacks resulted in fatalities and serious injuries, fueling widespread fear among
the population and prompting some families to flee in search of greater safety.
Despite these challenges, civil society efforts and humanitarian initiatives emerged as vital forces
in supporting vulnerable and affected populations. Emergency rooms and local initiatives
organized communal iftar meals during the month of Ramadan, established community kitchens
to provide meals for internally displaced persons (IDPs), patients, and their accompanying
relatives, and distributed food baskets, as well as supplying water stations with power generators.
Organizations such as Nour for Women’s Development, Hope and Refuge, and various local
initiatives contributed to the provision of humanitarian assistance despite significant logistical
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constraints and the closure of some border crossings. These efforts demonstrated the resilience
and adaptability of civil society, drawing on self-generated resources to ensure the continuity of
humanitarian activities.
The policy recommendations highlight the urgent need to strengthen civilian protection, ensure
unimpeded humanitarian access, and support civil society organizations with the necessary
resources and logistical capacities to improve supply chains. They also call for systematic
documentation of violations to ensure accountability of perpetrators, and the rigorous follow-up
on arbitrary arrests and attacks on hospitals and markets to uphold the rule of law and protect
human rights.
Overall, March 2026 in Darfur reflects a complex environment in which armed conflict intertwines
with grave human rights violations, deepening civilian vulnerability. At the same time,
community-based initiatives stand out as a fundamental element in reinforcing social solidarity
and alleviating the suffering of the population, despite severely limited resources and persistent
security challenges.