Over the past three days, the joint forces of Sudan’s armed groups, allied with the Sudanese Armed Forces, have buried more than 462 bodies of Janjaweed militia members killed during recent clashes in North Darfur. The fighting occurred in areas near the town of Mellit and the Malha region in Northern Darfur.
The burial operation was carried out by the armed groups under humanitarian principles and in a bid to avoid environmental and health hazards posed by the bodies. The groups emphasized their respect for the dignity of the deceased, underscoring their commitment to the ethical treatment of both the living and the dead. The initiative also aims to protect the local population from the ecological disasters that could arise from the bodies left unattended in the region.
According to a statement released by the Sudanese Armed Struggle Movements, the Janjaweed militia had attempted to infiltrate the Malha region through several axes, including areas like Dargi Shaki, Madu, and Jabal Isa, located north of Malha. However, they faced substantial losses, with hundreds of militia fighters killed in the process. The militia also lost three entire convoys and six of their senior field commanders. The remnants of the militia forces, led by Ali Rizqallah Safna, fled the battlefield, leaving behind hundreds of their fallen comrades.
The joint forces reiterated their commitment to adhering to international laws and humanitarian principles, stressing the importance of human dignity, regardless of whether the individuals were alive or deceased. The statement also urged those remaining militia members who still respect human dignity to reconsider their allegiance, as their forces were now exposed to the harsh truth of their inevitable fate, following the massacre in the region.
The Sudanese armed groups called on the Janjaweed militia to heed the call of the Sudanese military leadership, which had issued a general amnesty under the command of General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Sudan’s Chief of Staff. They encouraged the militia to surrender to the nearest regular army unit or joint forces, emphasizing that this move would safeguard their lives and preserve their human dignity, both in life and death.
The Sudanese military’s decision to offer amnesty comes as part of broader efforts to end the ongoing violence in the Darfur region. The amnesty is also seen as a step toward reducing the influence of militia groups that have been involved in significant violence during the ongoing conflict, particularly in the Darfur region, where years of unrest have led to widespread displacement and human suffering.
The situation in North Darfur remains tense, with sporadic clashes and continuing military operations as the Sudanese government works to maintain control and restore stability to the region. As humanitarian concerns grow, the international community has called for increased support to assist those affected by the violence and to help rebuild the region’s infrastructure.
