Tragic Events Unfold at Sudan’s Zamzam Camp
CAIRO — The recent violence at Zamzam camp in Sudan has left a deep mark on its residents, including Umm al-Kheir Bakheit, who was just 13 when she first arrived there. Fleeing the notorious janjaweed militias in the early 2000s, she formed a life in the camp, marrying and raising three children. However, as of last month, Bakheit and many others were forced to escape once again due to renewed violence from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Devastating Assaults
In early April, RSF forces conducted a shocking three-day assault on the camp, which had once sheltered over 500,000 people. This attack resulted in the deaths of at least 400 individuals and caused widespread destruction of homes and essential facilities.
Eyewitness accounts from Bakheit and aid workers paint a harrowing picture of the violence, describing scenes of gunfire, beatings, and sexual assaults. “It’s a nightmare come true,” Bakheit lamented, reflecting on the horrendous acts committed during the attacks.
Ongoing Humanitarian Crisis
Even as the conflict continues, the RSF has faced setbacks against the Sudanese military in other regions. Despite this, they remain accused of persistent atrocities, particularly in Darfur, where mass killings and sexual violence against civilians have been regularly reported. Marion Ramstein, an emergency field coordinator for Doctors Without Borders (MSF), noted, “Targeting civilians… has been the reality of the Sudan war for two years.”
Conditions in Zamzam Camp
Established in 2004, Zamzam camp has been a refuge for those displaced by the earlier janjaweed attacks. Recently, over the course of the last spring, the RSF imposed a siege on the camp. Reports indicate that many residents have suffered from severe starvation, leading to a famine declaration in August.
“For too long, there was no option but to eat grass and tree leaves,” Bakheit stated, sharing her struggles as resources dwindled in the camp.
A Grievous Retaliation
On April 11, the situation escalated dramatically as RSF fighters unleashed an aggressive assault on the camp, characterized by heavy shelling and ground attacks. Residents were driven from their homes, and reports surfaced of women and girls being sexually harassed and assaulted.
“The children were screaming, ‘The janjaweed are coming!’” Bakheit remembered, capturing the panic and terror that enveloped the camp. HRW estimates indicate a considerable number of women experienced sexual violence during this ordeal, although many incidents go unreported due to the stigma associated with such acts.
Destruction and Loss
The RSF’s onslaught did not spare essential services, leading to the tragic loss of lives, including nine medical workers from Relief International as they targeted Zamzam’s only operational medical facility. Furthermore, a significant portion of the camp has been set ablaze, reducing vast areas to ash.
Satellite imagery revealed thick smoke and substantial burned areas within the camp, as the once-thriving community dwindled, leaving only a fraction of its original population remaining.
A Daring Escape
After enduring detainment for three hours, Bakheit and other families found freedom and began a harrowing trek to the town of Tawila, 40 miles away. Their journey was marked by the grim sights of devastation, including charred bodies strewn along the road. Bakheit, echoing the sentiments of the past, stated, “Like my mother did about 20 years ago, I had no option but to take my children and leave.”
This latest chapter in the ongoing conflict underscores the dire circumstances facing civilians in Sudan, as both humanitarian crises and calls for justice grow more urgent.
Reported by: Magdy for the Associated Press