Sudan civilians trapped by fear, disappearance and detention: rights experts

Sudan Civilians Trapped in Fear, Disappearances, and Detention: Rights Experts Warn

Sudan civilians trapped by fear disappearance - With the Sudan conflict now in its fourth year, civilians are facing escalating dangers not only from direct combat but also through pervasive fear, enforced disappearances, and arbitrary detentions, according to a report shared with the UN Human Rights Council during its 62nd session in Geneva. The Independent International Fact-Finding Mission has highlighted how these measures are intensifying the suffering of ordinary people.

Conflict Dynamics and Population Control

The warring factions—comprising the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and their allied groups—are increasingly using civilians as tools to assert control over war-torn regions. This strategy has left communities already depleted by years of violence in further jeopardy.

"Civilians remain at the heart of this conflict’s devastation," stated Mission Chair Mohamed Chande Othman, noting that violence has expanded into a systematic approach to suppress civilian populations across all aspects of daily life.

For many Sudanese families, even the act of relocating has turned into a perilous endeavor. The Mission noted that individuals attempting to move between territories under opposing control often encounter arrests, mistreatment, and enforced disappearances, regardless of their allegiance or intent.

Detention and Extortion Practices

Citizens are frequently stopped at checkpoints and accused of backing rival groups, leading to detentions without due process. Such tactics have created a climate where loyalty is forced, with some civilians compelled to side with either side to ensure their safety and economic stability, as emphasized by Expert Member Joy Ngozi Ezeilo.

"Civilians are being pressured to align with warring parties to secure their freedom and survival," Ezeilo said, underscoring the coercive nature of these practices.

Extortion tied to arbitrary arrests is worsening the humanitarian crisis. Families are often compelled to pay exorbitant sums—sometimes reaching $40,000—to retrieve detained relatives. These demands are unmanageable for households already struggling with displacement and economic collapse.

Impact on Local Economies

These measures are also destabilizing regional economies. In areas like El Fasher and Kadugli, traders facing cross-frontline travel risk detention or abduction, limiting food access and deepening insecurity in communities already on edge.

Notably, the Mission reported that 70 individuals, including humanitarian workers, were arrested in El Geneina in May 2026 and have since vanished without any news of their whereabouts. This trend raises alarms about the broader risks to aid personnel.

"No family should endure silence and uncertainty while searching for missing loved ones," said Expert Member Mona Rishmawi. She pointed out that attacks on humanitarian workers disrupt critical relief efforts, exposing entire populations to heightened risks.

Conditions in Detention Centers

Detention facilities under both SAF and RSF control are marked by deplorable conditions. Overcrowding, poor nutrition, inadequate sanitation, and restricted medical care create environments incompatible with human dignity. Reports indicate outbreaks of diseases, including cholera, within these centers.

Former detainees described experiences of physical abuse, electrocution, sexual violence, and prolonged isolation. Thousands are believed to be held in prisons like Nyala in South Darfur, where basic rights are routinely violated.

Call for Immediate Action

The Mission urged an end to unlawful detentions and called for the release of individuals imprisoned without legal justification. It also demanded transparency regarding the locations of detainees and access for independent investigators to evaluate conditions firsthand.

Without swift intervention, the cycle of abuse is expected to deepen, embedding fear and uncertainty into the fabric of civilian existence. The team of experts, appointed by the UN Human Rights Council, operates independently and does not receive compensation for their work.