Sudanese Army Accused of Detaining South Sudanese Women Over RSF Links

By Awan Achiek

A prominent South Sudanese human rights activist has reported that several South Sudanese women, accused of having connections to the powerful paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), are currently undergoing trials in Sudan.

Edmund Yakani, executive director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), said  that the Sudanese military is detaining South Sudanese women in prisons across the country on charges of cooperating with the RSF.

“These women are likely to face political trials as they are caught up in the political violence between the Sudan Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces,” Yakani told Dawn on Tuesday.

He indicated that the women, primarily tea sellers held in Omdurman prison, may receive death sentences or lengthy prison terms.

“The women may be coerced into admitting to political crimes related to their alleged support for the Rapid Support Forces in order to face trial, or they could face death sentences,” he explained.

“Some of them might indeed receive death sentences due to the political divide and discontent between the two warring parties in Sudan.”

Yakani urged the leaders of both countries to establish a joint committee to investigate the situation, ensuring the safety, security, and protection of citizens from both nations.

“I appeal to our National Legislative Assembly leadership to raise a motion requesting our Minister of Foreign Affairs to collaborate with the Sudanese Embassy here to address the issues concerning South Sudanese individuals facing legal trials in various prisons in Sudan.”

An outspoken critic has called on the Sudanese government to honour the four freedoms agreement it signed with South Sudan.

“The citizens of both countries should not face legal prosecution due to political differences among the parties involved.”

He appealed to the Sudanese government to grant clemency to South Sudanese individuals currently on trial in Sudanese prisons.

“I will approach His Excellency, the Ambassador of Sudan in Juba, and our Minister of Foreign Affairs to establish a joint working team to examine the fate of South Sudanese caught up in the violence in Sudan, as well as those held in various prisons or detention cells in the country,” he stated.