Category: Africa

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Amnesty International has accused Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of committing crimes against humanity and carrying out a campaign of ethnic cleansing during its military offensive to seize El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State, calling for an immediate nationwide ceasefire and the deployment of an international civilian protection force.

The findings are contained in the human rights organisation’s latest report, “City Under Siege, Children Under Fire: Rapid Support Forces’ Crimes Against Humanity in North Darfur,” released on July 1, 2026.

The report documents widespread atrocities committed between early 2024 and October 2025 as the RSF battled the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and allied Joint Forces for control of El Fasher, one of the last major cities in Darfur to resist the paramilitary group’s advance.

According to Amnesty International, the RSF committed murder, torture, imprisonment, rape, sexual slavery, enslavement, extermination, persecution, forcible transfer and other grave violations of international humanitarian law against civilians, particularly members of non-Arab ethnic communities.

The organisation concluded that the evidence establishes “without qualification” that persecution based on ethnic identity occurred during the campaign, adding that the documented acts, alongside other incidents still under investigation, may also constitute genocide.

Amnesty International Secretary General Agnès Callamard described the conflict as “a war on civilians.”

“The world was warned of the horrors that civilians in El Fasher confronted as the RSF laid siege to the city. It is a stain on the conscience of humanity,” she said.

Callamard said children were deliberately targeted during the conflict, with many killed, injured, raped, abducted or forcibly recruited into the fighting.

She called for an immediate ceasefire across Sudan and urged the international community to deploy an independent and adequately resourced international protection force to safeguard civilians from further atrocities.

The report is based on interviews with 247 people, including 208 survivors—169 adults and 39 children—who either experienced or witnessed abuses. Amnesty also analysed 89 videos, satellite imagery and other open-source evidence from North Darfur.

Ethnic cleansing allegations

Amnesty said that after capturing four of Darfur’s five state capitals by late 2023, the RSF systematically attacked villages, towns and displacement camps surrounding El Fasher throughout 2024.

Many of the targeted communities were predominantly inhabited by members of the Zaghawa ethnic group.

Investigators said RSF fighters looted communities, burned homes and civilian infrastructure long after residents had fled and prevented displaced families from returning, actions Amnesty said were consistent with ethnic cleansing.

The report also documented the repeated use of the term “falangay”—a derogatory expression associated with slavery or servitude—by RSF fighters during attacks on civilians from non-Arab communities.

Siege, famine and humanitarian crisis

Amnesty accused the RSF of maintaining a brutal siege on El Fasher between May 2024 and October 2025 by restricting humanitarian access and blocking food supplies while shelling the city almost daily.

The siege, it said, triggered famine conditions that forced desperate residents to survive on ambaz, a peanut oil by-product normally used as livestock feed.

Children suffered severe malnutrition while pregnant women gave birth in underground shelters, damaged hospitals and other unsafe locations under extremely harsh conditions.

Many mothers were reportedly unable to breastfeed adequately because of hunger, leading to the deaths of infants from malnutrition.

Mass executions and sexual violence

According to Amnesty, the RSF launched its final assault on El Fasher on October 26, 2025.

The report alleges that civilians attempting to flee encountered a 57-kilometre network of defensive berms where hundreds were summarily executed, while many others were tortured or arbitrarily detained.

One survivor estimated seeing more than 1,000 bodies near the berms, while others recounted the execution of children and the killing of women who resisted rape.

The organisation interviewed 26 survivors of sexual violence, including 20 rape survivors, among them three girls under the age of 18.

Victims described repeated gang rapes, abductions and severe physical and psychological abuse.

The report also accused RSF fighters of abducting children and forcibly recruiting boys into combat, intelligence gathering and other military activities.

Torture and unlawful detention

Amnesty documented widespread arbitrary detention, alleging that civilians, including children, were held in overcrowded shipping containers, denied adequate food and water, beaten and subjected to torture.

Former detainees described witnessing dozens, and in some cases hundreds, of prisoners die from dehydration and disease while in captivity.

One survivor quoted in the report said detainees were told by guards: “We don’t care if you die.”

Commanders identified

Amnesty said it had identified several RSF commanders allegedly linked to serious violations of international law.

Among those named are RSF commander Al-Fateh Abdullah Idris, also known as Abu Lulu, who allegedly appeared in verified videos showing the execution of captives dressed in civilian clothing.

The report also identified Major General Gedo Hamdan Ahmed Mohamed (Abu Shouk) and Lieutenant Colonel Abbas Khater Bakhit as senior officials allegedly involved in torture and abuses at the Mina al-Bari detention facility.

Calls for international action

Amnesty International urged the international community to move beyond expressions of concern and take concrete measures to protect civilians.

The organisation called for expanded humanitarian assistance, stronger support for accountability mechanisms, including the International Criminal Court, and investigations into commanders allegedly responsible for atrocities.

It also urged all countries to halt arms transfers to parties involved in the Sudan conflict and called on the United Nations Security Council to expand the existing arms embargo on Darfur to cover the entire country.

Amnesty further appealed for restrictions on arms supplies to the United Arab Emirates, which it described as the RSF’s principal backer, until compliance with the UN arms embargo is ensured.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Nigeria has condemned the latest wave of xenophobic attacks on African immigrants in South Africa, describing the violence as “unacceptable and contrary to the ideals of African unity.” The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, made the remarks in Abuja while receiving a high‑level delegation of the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council led by Ambassador Nasir Aminu and AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye.

The meeting followed the Third Annual Joint Consultative Session between the AU Peace and Security Council and the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council, which reviewed emerging threats across Africa. But it was the xenophobic violence in South Africa that dominated Nigeria’s diplomatic tone, with Enikanolaiye warning that the attacks on African nationals, particularly Nigerians, “strike at the heart of the African Union’s founding vision of solidarity and integration.”

He revealed that, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive, the Federal Government had organised government‑funded repatriation flights to evacuate affected Nigerians from South Africa. “Africans must feel safe anywhere on the continent,” the Minister said, urging the AU to place the issue prominently on its peace and security agenda.

The statement marks Nigeria’s strongest diplomatic response yet to the recurring xenophobic violence that has plagued South Africa in recent years, often targeting migrants from other African countries.

Analysts say Abuja’s intervention reflects growing frustration among African governments over what they see as insufficient continental action to protect citizens living and working across borders.

Enikanolaiye also called for deeper cooperation among African institutions to address the continent’s widening security challenges — from terrorism and violent extremism to transnational organised crime and unconstitutional changes of government. He stressed that sustainable peacebuilding requires stronger governance frameworks and more effective mechanisms for conflict prevention.

Beyond the immediate crisis, the Minister linked the attacks to broader migration and integration issues. He urged African Union Member States to strengthen inclusive governance and economic development to reduce tensions and expand opportunities for their citizens. “The free movement of persons must be matched by a sense of shared security,” he said, adding that regional solidarity should not end at political declarations.

The Abuja meeting also discussed financing for African‑led peace operations.

Enikanolaiye reiterated Nigeria’s long‑standing position that Africa must develop predictable and innovative funding mechanisms to support its own security architecture. He warned that excessive dependence on external donors undermines African ownership of peace initiatives and cited ECOWAS’s Community Levy as a model for sustainable regional financing.

Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, speaking for the African Union Commission, commended Nigeria’s leadership in promoting peace and regional integration. He reaffirmed the AU’s commitment to work closely with Member States and Regional Economic Communities to confront the continent’s growing security challenges.

Both sides pledged continued collaboration between the AU, ECOWAS, and national governments to advance peace, democratic governance, and sustainable development across Africa. They agreed to sustain regular consultations to strengthen collective responses to emerging threats — including xenophobia, extremism, and migration‑related violence.

The meeting concluded with a shared call for African unity in action, not just in rhetoric. As Enikanolaiye put it, “Africa’s peace and prosperity depend on how we treat one another — within our borders and beyond.”

PRETORIA, South Africa (NPA) — The South African Government has commended citizens for conducting largely peaceful demonstrations against irregular migration across several provinces, while reaffirming its commitment to tackling illegal immigration through lawful and constitutional measures.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the government expressed appreciation to South Africans who exercised their constitutional right to protest peacefully and responsibly.

It also praised community leaders, organisers, civil society groups, religious leaders and law enforcement agencies for maintaining peace, restraint and respect for the rule of law throughout the nationwide demonstrations.

“The peaceful conduct displayed today reflects the strength of our democracy and demonstrates that South Africans can voice their concerns firmly and lawfully while respecting the rights and dignity of others,” the statement said.

Although the protests remained largely peaceful, authorities confirmed that police responded to isolated incidents of looting and attempted looting.

The government warned that individuals who exploited the demonstrations to commit criminal acts would face prosecution.

“Those who chose to exploit the marches to commit criminal acts will face the full might of the law. Police will continue to identify, arrest and prosecute all those responsible for criminal conduct,” it said.

The government acknowledged that many South Africans have legitimate concerns over unemployment, irregular migration, service delivery, border security and public safety, stressing that such issues would continue to be addressed through democratic and lawful processes.

It welcomed the rejection of violence, vigilantism, intimidation, provocation, looting and destruction of property by the overwhelming majority of protesters, noting that such acts have no place in a constitutional democracy.

The government also reaffirmed its commitment to implementing President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Comprehensive Approach for Migration Management.

According to the statement, the five-point strategy focuses on strengthening the enforcement of immigration and labour laws, improving border security, enhancing migration management systems, addressing legislative and policy gaps, and working with other African countries to manage migration more effectively.

The government disclosed that it has continued to intensify the deportation and repatriation of foreign nationals across affected provinces.

It said 4,286 foreign nationals have been repatriated, while an additional 419 have been formally deported in recent days.

Authorities reiterated that efforts to combat criminality, corruption, human trafficking, labour exploitation and other offences linked to irregular migration would continue within the framework of the Constitution and the rule of law.

The government also appealed to citizens to remain calm, reject misinformation and xenophobia, and continue supporting law enforcement agencies in building safe, secure and cohesive communities.

“We will manage migration in a manner that protects our national interest, promotes the rule of law and advances the values upon which our democracy is founded,” the statement added.

PRETORIA, South Africa (NPA) — South African police have intensified security operations across the Northern Cape Province as anti-illegal immigration protests continue in parts of the country, assuring residents that law enforcement agencies remain fully prepared to maintain peace and public order.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) said on Tuesday that it had increased deployments and enhanced police visibility following largely peaceful demonstrations held across the province’s five districts.

According to the police, officers are closely monitoring developments while working with other security agencies to safeguard lives and property.

“Law enforcement agencies, including SAPS and other relevant stakeholders, remain operationally prepared and have maintained an increased presence through enhanced visibility and sustained deployments to ensure the safety and security of communities,” the statement said.

While most of the demonstrations were peaceful, the police confirmed that several arrests had been made in connection with looting, attempted looting, business robbery, immigration-related offences and other unlawful activities recorded during the protests.

The suspects, SAPS said, will be processed in accordance with the law and prosecuted where appropriate.

The police reaffirmed that while South Africa’s Constitution guarantees the right to peaceful protest, criminal acts committed under the guise of demonstrations would not be tolerated.

“SAPS Northern Cape reiterates that the right to peaceful protest is protected; however, criminal conduct, including looting, damage to property and any acts that threaten the safety of communities, will not be tolerated,” the statement added.

The police urged members of the public to remain calm, cooperate with security personnel and promptly report suspicious or criminal activities.

Northern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, said the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster would continue high-density operations, monitor identified hotspots and coordinate deployments with other law enforcement agencies to preserve peace and stability across the province.

The renewed security measures come as anti-illegal immigration demonstrations continue to attract thousands of protesters in several parts of South Africa, prompting heightened vigilance by security agencies.

KAMPALA, Uganda (NPA) — Amnesty International has condemned the forced closure of at least six media outlets in Uganda and the arrest and detention of scores of human rights activists, calling on authorities to end what it described as a growing crackdown on freedom of expression and association.

In a statement on Tuesday titled, “Uganda: Authorities Must Immediately End the Harassment of Activists, Allow Media to Operate Freely,” Amnesty accused Uganda’s military chief, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, of ordering the shutdown of media organisations and targeting government critics.

Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Tigere Chagutah, said the actions represented a continuation of years of repression against independent media and civil society.

“The president’s son continues his unchecked and unjust campaign of harassment and intimidation of independent media and civil society. These latest attacks are emblematic of a years-long crackdown on freedoms of expression and association in Uganda,” Chagutah said.

He called on the military to immediately withdraw from the affected media organisations and end all forms of intimidation, interference and repression against journalists.

Amnesty also urged the Ugandan authorities to halt what it described as the misuse of the criminal justice system to target perceived critics of the government and to release all those arbitrarily detained.

The organisation specifically called for the release of opposition figures Kizza Besigye, Erias Lukwago and veteran politician Miria Matembe.

According to Amnesty, on the night of June 28, Gen. Kainerugaba ordered the closure of the Daily Monitor, NTV, Dembe FM, Spark TV, KFM and The East African without providing any official justification.

The rights group also alleged that security agents raided the Kampala residence of Matembe on June 24 after she criticised the military chief over alleged human rights violations. Kainerugaba later confirmed that she had been detained.

Amnesty further said the offices of the feminist organisation Akina Mama wa Africa (AMWA) were raided by security operatives on June 25.

It added that AMWA Executive Director Eunice Musiime and Sarah Bireete, Executive Director of the Centre for Constitutional Governance, were arrested on June 28 before being released without charge.