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Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has been accused of attacking civilians, leading to 80+ deaths.

What’s the deal: According to reports from the ground, the RSF attacked the village of Galgani in Sudan’s central Sennar province, leaving at least 85 dead and over 150 injured. The violence erupted after villagers resisted an earlier attempt by a smaller group of RSF fighters to abduct and assault women and girls. In response, hundreds of RSF fighters returned and began killing, looting, and setting homes on fire.

Sudan’s Foreign Ministry responds: In a statement, Sudan’s Foreign Ministry accused the RSF of “indiscriminately opening fire on the village’s unarmed residents.” They added that more than 150 people were wounded, with some not expected to survive.

More on the conflict: The conflict between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) began in April 2023, rooted in tensions following the 2019 ousting of Sudan’s dictator, Omar al-Bashir. The RSF, formed from the Janjaweed militias of the Darfur genocide, and the SAF, Sudan’s official military, clashed during the country’s fragile transition to civilian rule. The immediate trigger for the conflict was a disagreement over integrating the RSF into the national army, a key part of a planned transition to a unified military under civilian control. This power struggle quickly escalated into widespread violence, with both sides fighting for control of the country.

Ongoing talks: This all comes as a meeting in Geneva, aimed at negotiating a ceasefire in Sudan’s conflict, faces significant obstacles due to the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) boycotting the talks. Although the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) sent a delegation, they did not engage in the discussions. Despite efforts from the United States and diplomats from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, the African Union, and the United Nations, progress has been minimal.