Zamzam Camp Caught up Between RSF Bombardment and Hunger… Nowhere to Flee
Sudanhorizon – Exclusive Report
Amidst the devastating bombardment and lethal hunger, the residents of the Zamzam Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in El Fasher, North Darfur, Sudan, are enduring harsh conditions that have intensified in the last four days. The camp was bombarded by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia, which, for the first time, used medium-range missiles.
Internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the overcrowded camp are deeply concerned that the RSF militia might commit ethnic cleansing if they manage to invade the camp.
Since the beginning of December, the RSF has launched heavy artillery attacks on the camp, which is located about 16 kilometres southwest of El Fasher. These attacks have resulted in the death of eight people and the injury of at least 16 others, according to activists.
According to its management, the camp houses nearly two million displaced people, as a large number of residents from El Fasher have sought refuge there. According to international organisations, the camp was initially thought to be the safest place in the state but has faced a severe food crisis, leading to widespread famine.
The North Darfur government revealed on Monday that there is a plan by the RSF militia and its affiliated armed groups and civil society organisations to empty the camp of its residents as a prelude to attacking El Fasher from the southern part, as the camp represents a vital link between El Fasher and the areas of Eastern Jebel Marra controlled by the Sudan Liberation Movement led by Abdel Wahid Nour.
Governor of North Darfur, Hafiz Bakheit, said in a press statement that the plan to empty Zamzam had been underway for a while under the pretext of protecting civilians. Some organisations were responsible for relocating the displaced people to areas controlled by Abdul Wahid Nour’s movement in Eastern Jebel Marra under the supervision of armed factions such as the Sudan Liberation Forces led by Tahir Hajar, Sudan Liberation Movement (Transitional Council) led by El-Hadi Idris, and a faction of the Justice and Equality Movement led by Suleiman Sandal.
The Sudanese government accuses these movements of supporting the RSF and assisting them in their anti-army and joint forces plans. However, leaders of these groups insist on maintaining neutrality in the war and call for a halt to the fighting and the protection of civilians.
Governor Bakheit said that these groups’ plan failed, prompting the RSF and its supporters to shift to a new strategy: shelling the camp from distant locations.
In response, a spokesperson for the RSF militia justified the attack on the Zamzam camp by claiming that the Joint Forces, composed of several armed movements supporting the army, were sheltering within the camp and using the displaced as human shields.
A statement issued by the RSF on Monday accused the armed movements of transforming the Zamzam camp into a military base, claiming they had warned of the plan to militarise the camp.
An independent source, speaking anonymously for security reasons, told Sudanhorizon that some armed movements have had a military presence in the Zamzam camp since the signing of the Juba Peace Agreement in October 2020. The Sudan Liberation Movement, led by Minni Arko Minawi, has a camp adjacent to Zamzam, and the Sudan Liberation Forces, led by Tahir Hajar, have a significant military presence inside the camp, with a large military base there.
Regarding the potential withdrawal of joint forces elements from the camp following developments in El Fasher, the source added, “Soldiers and officers from the joint forces often visit their families, as most of them reside in the camp before returning to El Fasher.”
Additionally, earthen barriers have been constructed since May 2023 to protect the camp from potential RSF attacks from the southern side.
Fears of Genocide
Mohamed Abker Abdel Rahman, a community leader in the Zamzam camp, told Sudanhorizon that there are serious concerns about the RSF committing ethnic cleansing if they attack the camp.
He emphasised that the RSF is specifically targeting the Zaghawa ethnic group with heavy artillery attacks, accusing them of supporting the Joint Forces and the Sudanese army.
He added, “The residents of Zamzam are innocent civilians and victims of war who have been living in the area since 2004. Attacking them by the RSF is a war crime.”
Abdel Rahman revealed that there have been waves of displacement from Zamzam to areas like Shuqra, Salouma, and Golo. Some displaced individuals have fled to Jebel Marra and New Dam in East Darfur. In contrast, others have decided to return to El Fasher despite the deteriorating security situation in the city.
Sources indicate that the camp administration evacuated the main market on Tuesday and ordered residents near the market to vacate their homes. Additionally, the use of Starlink satellite internet devices was banned until further notice.
Calls to Stop Targeting Civilians
Aboud Adam Khater, the head of Joint Forces Operations in North Darfur, strongly condemned the RSF’s bombardment of the Zamzam camp with heavy artillery. In a statement on Tuesday, he called for decisive measures to prevent the militia from continuing its crimes and violations.
He urged the United Nations Secretary-General, Amnesty International, and human rights partners to take immediate action to stand firmly with the so-called “victims of the genocide project in the Zamzam camp” and stop the targeting of unarmed civilians immediately.
A Living Nightmare
Commenting on the developments in Zamzam camp, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) said that the attack on the camp had turned the lives of the displaced people into a “living nightmare,” with casualties, panic, and increasing displacement.
MSF reported receiving eight injured people, including women and children under the age of 4, who had serious injuries. Four critical cases were transferred to another facility. The shelling resumed, hitting areas near the market and the MSF field hospital. MSF announced the evacuation of patients and medical staff from the camp in an attempt to flee for their lives.
Michel Olivier Lacherity, MSF’s emergency operations head, said, “People are not just suffering from hunger, but now they are being bombarded and forced to flee again. We are deeply concerned about their safety, including our staff, and urgently call for protecting patients, civilians, medical teams, and health facilities in Zamzam. Safe passage must also be ensured for those fleeing the violence.”
Famine and Desperate Measures
Save the Children reported that families in the Zamzam camp are resorting to desperate measures to survive, such as eating only one meal a day.
The organisation said some families have resorted to eating animal feed after four months of famine. Children are suffering from severe malnutrition after 19 months of fighting that has severely affected North Darfur.
Sorghum and millet are some of the preferred meals in the camp, but due to high prices, families are forced to eat animal feed, known as “Anbaz,” which consists of leftover sesame and beans after oil extraction.
Additionally, the severe water shortage exacerbates the suffering of families in the camp. Many are living on less than two litres of water a day, far below the minimum required daily amount of 20 litres for drinking and hygiene.
An employee working in Zamzam reported that children are showing obvious signs of severe malnutrition, including wasting, hair loss, swollen limbs, skin discolouration, and widespread diarrhoea.
Furthermore, the risk of disease outbreaks is increasing daily due to overcrowding in the camp and deteriorating hygiene conditions, putting many families and children at risk.
Mohamed Abdel Latif, the interim country director for Save the Children in Sudan, stated, “Until yesterday, Zamzam camp was the safest place in North Darfur for families and children. However, the shelling and bombings have continued for the second day now, with reports of casualties, including children.”