The Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and allied militias that overran parts of Darfur in late October are reportedly holding residents captive to extort ransom, while punishing those unable to pay, according to witnesses, aid workers, and researchers.
Reuters was unable to determine the exact number of people detained in and around al-Fashir, the capital of North Darfur. However, multiple accounts suggest that large groups are being held in clusters of villages within 80 kilometers of the city. Others have reportedly been brought back into al-Fashir itself, where the RSF is demanding payments of thousands of dollars from families for their release.
The situation has intensified fears among residents and humanitarian workers alike, with growing concerns about systematic violence, abuse, and the use of ransom as a tool of control. The accounts underscore the dire conditions faced by civilians caught in conflict zones, where armed groups exploit insecurity for financial gain while endangering lives.
Humanitarian organizations have called for urgent access to affected areas to protect civilians, provide essential aid, and document human rights abuses. With the situation escalating, the international community faces mounting pressure to intervene and ensure accountability for the paramilitary forces’ actions.
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