El Fasher Resistance: Evacuation of Zamzam Camp Is a Dangerous Escalation and Violation of International Humanitarian Law

The Coordination of Resistance Committees in El Fasher has announced that the Zamzam displacement camp, located south of the city, has been completely emptied of its residents after the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) forced thousands of civilians to flee under threat of violence. The move was described as a dangerous escalation that threatens civilian lives and constitutes a violation of international humanitarian law.

In a statement, the coordination said that “the RSF has turned Zamzam Camp into a forward military base used to launch repeated attacks on El Fasher, carried out with the help of foreign mercenaries, resulting in civilian casualties and widespread destruction.”

The statement emphasized that “transforming displacement camps into military installations is a clear violation of the Geneva Conventions and international humanitarian law, which mandate the protection of civilians and displacement camps during armed conflicts.”

El Fasher and vast areas of Darfur have been suffering from rapidly deteriorating humanitarian and security conditions since fighting broke out between the Sudanese army and the RSF in April 2023. Violations against civilians have intensified, particularly in RSF-controlled areas.

Zamzam Camp, which was taken over by the RSF in April, is one of the largest displacement camps in Sudan. Reports indicate that hundreds of civilians, including humanitarian workers, have been killed by RSF forces.