Human Rights Abuses in over the Month of May 20161

Overview During the month of May 2016, SUDO (UK)’s network of human rights monitors have reported and verified 75 incidents of human rights abuses across Sudan involving eight Sudanese states.

Enclosed within the 75 reports pertaining to human rights abuses, SUDO (UK) has assessed that various forces under the direct authority of the Government of Sudan2 were responsible, as individual entities, for 41 instances of human rights abuses. A further 14 abuses were carried out by groups categorised by monitors as “pro-government militias”3, whilst 17 such abuses were recorded against militias labelled as Janjaweed. Three human rights abuses were perpetrated by the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – North (SPLM-N), and one abuse was registered against the following entities: a Salamat ethnic militia; the SPLM-Peace Wing headed by Daniel Kodi; and an unknown actor. It is worth stressing that at times multiple actors colluded in any one instance, hence why 78 perpetrators have been identified for 75 incidents.

The 75 reports detail the following: the death of 33 civilians4 including 10 children; the serious injury of 87 civilians; the rape of 22 women including five minors (this number does not include the as yet unconfirmed reports of dozens of women raped in an incident recorded in ); the arrest of 35 civilians (two of which were subject to beatings, whilst another has been subject to rape alongside 12 detained women in ); 45 counts of kidnap; five incidents of aerial bombardment utilising a minimum of 31 bombs including explosive bombs; eight direct attacks on civilian villages and/or towns; and 10 incidents pertaining to press freedom including six newspaper confiscations.

1 It is worth noting that the number of human rights abuses contained within this report certainly underestimate the total number of abuses and their effects on the civilian population. SUDO (UK) only uses information provided to it by the trusted SUDO (UK) network. 2 National Intelligence and Security Services (19); Military Intelligence (5); Sudanese (5); (5); Police (2); Border Guards (2); (1); the Press and Publications Office (1); and the National Congress Party – Student Wing (1). 3 Militias that SUDO monitors have thus far been unable to define. They may be paramilitary forces controlled directly by the Government, such as the Rapid Support Forces, or they may have a more irregular relationship with the Government, for example similar to various Janjaweed militias. The pattern and nature of the attacks lead SUDO monitors, victims and eyewitnesses to conclude that they are Government affiliated in some form. 4 Excludes the death of two Police Officers, one member of the Border Guards and one member of a pro- government militia. Specific Incidents and Trends over the Month of May 2016

Border Guards Assault on Azernai, Nine Civilians Killed Nine civilians were killed and six injured whilst conducting Mughrib prayer, after an attack by the Border Guards on the residents of Azernai, , on the 22nd May. The attack took place following an earlier incident in which two members of the Border Guards were stabbed causing one death and one serious injury during an altercation with a local trader. The trader in question immediately handed himself over to the police. Later that day the Border Guards mobilised in order to attack the police station holding the trader. During the assault one member of the police was killed, though the paramilitary unit were forced to withdraw following the intervention of the local Sudanese Armed Forces garrison.

Following their withdrawal, the Border Guards returned to Azernai two hours later and began attacking the civilians in revenge for the death and injury of their number at the hands of the local trader. Nine civilians were killed and six were wounded during the assault.

The next day an unknown gunman opened fire on mourners that had gathered in front of El-Geneina hospital to pay their respects to the deceased Azernai residents. The gunman killed a 13 year-old child and injured a further two civilians, one of which was aged just 9, before fleeing the scene with the assistance of a getaway vehicle.

On the 24th May, Lieutenant Colonel Issa Hussein of the Border Guards arrived in Azernai accompanied by a number of troops. During which he threatened the residents into paying blood money for the deceased Border Guard soldier killed by the trader on the 22nd. Any refusal would result in the destruction of their village. In addition to the payment of blood money, the Masalit native administration further arranged to pay the cost of the medical treatment for the man injured during the same incident.

This assault bears a striking resemblance to that of Mouli in January of this year in which militias described as “Janjaweed”, “pro-government” and “Border Guards” assaulted the town killing a number of civilians and destroying civilian homes. Again this incident was related to the death of a member of an armed group, and once again it was carried out in the form of a collective punishment against civilians.

The repeated failure of the Sudanese authorities to protect civilians from militias that either are or were supportive of the Government, or are or were directly controlled by the Government or associated apparatus, is a clear indication over the increasing inability of the Government of Sudan to control the various militias throughout Darfur. SUDO (UK) is supportive of the Government’s desire to collect illegal weapons throughout Darfur, though the Government must go further and disarm, demobilise and reintegrate the various militias and paramilitary forces, including that of the Rapid Support Forces and the Border Guards.

Seven Children Killed, Six Injured in Heiban Bombardments An incident of aerial bombardment conducted by the in Heiban, , caused outcry throughout Sudan and internationally when, on the 1st May, six children were killed between the age of 4 and 12. Despite national and international condemnation, just three weeks later another aerial bombardment in Heiban led to the death of a 6 month-old baby and injured six civilians, including three children between the age of 4 and 15. For civilians in the Jebel Marra region in Darfur, as well as South Kordofan and Blue Nile, attacks like this are unfortunately all too regular.

Aerial bombardments conducted by the Sudanese Air Force regularly fail to distinguish between civilian and military targets. There has been the establishment of a clear correlation regarding the manner of aerial bombardments and the targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure. Several human rights organisations have established patterns of bombings in line with the agricultural cycle, whilst those same organisations have documented consistent bombardment of civilian targets where there is no legitimate military objective in sight. What happened in Heiban is unfortunately not unique. Children and civilians have died before, and they will continue to do so until both parties negotiate a peaceful end to the conflict.

Continued Use of Torture and Rape on Demazin Detainees Once again SUDO (UK) monitors have reported testimony on human rights abuses perpetrated by Military Intelligence officials against civilian detainees in the Sudanese Armed Forces headquarters in Demazin. SUDO reports have traditionally focussed on the use of containers – some of which are toxic – that are used to detain civilians incommunicado for an indefinite amount of time. During their illegal detention beatings and other acts of physical torture including branding are utilised in order to obtain confessions from detainees or to provide retrospective punishment for either real or perceived offences. It is worth re-stating that monitors confirmed the death of Tarig Ali and the hospitalisation of Alitaa Younis during their detention at the hands of Military Intelligence in this location. There are furthermore other reports, as yet unconfirmed, concerning additional deaths.

During May monitors received authoritative reports, which have since been verified, of the rape of 13 women during their detention inside the military garrison. The use of sexual violence by Military Intelligence officials was used to extract confessions concerning their alleged support and assistance of SPLM-N forces in one way or another. Likewise there were further reports of ongoing acts of torture against male detainees, of which one source stated that there were still some 150 detainees being held by Military Intelligence in appalling conditions with the high possibility that they are or will be tortured.

SUDO (UK) condemns all usage of sexual violence, in addition to other means of torture, and calls for the Government of Sudan to order an independent and transparent investigation into the treatment of detainees within the Sudanese Armed Forces headquarters in Demazin as a matter of upmost urgency.

Continued Attacks on Media Freedom During the month of May, monitors submitted 10 reports concerning attacks on media freedom in Sudan. These 10 reports included two arrests, six newspaper confiscations, three harassments, one opening of an investigation against a journalist, and one instance of forcing a journalist to cease his work. The National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) were responsible in eight reports, whilst the Press and Publications Office and the Police were responsible for one each, respectively.

Al-Jareeda newspaper was confiscated three times in four days, forcing the newspaper’s management to convene a press conference to state their intention to cease publication. Fortunately, the newspaper has continued its publication, despite the harassment of the Sudanese authorities. Meanwhile, Al-Mustagilla newspaper was also confiscated two times in consecutive days. It is worth mentioning at this point that at no point did the NISS officers provide a reason for any of the confiscations.

In the 2016 World press Freedom Index, Sudan ranked a dismal 174 out of 180 for press freedom, accompanied by other countries including Eritrea, Syria, and North Korea, amongst others.

Incident Reports

North Darfur 02/05/16 Two pro-government militiamen dressed in military uniform and riding camels killed an 18 year-old woman from the Zaghawa ethnic group after attempting to rape her. The resident of Zamzam IDP camp had left the confines of the camp in order to collect firewood, when the militiamen attacked her. The incident was reported to the police in El-Fashir, though they failed to open investigations.

02/05/16 Pro-government militiamen riding on the back of camels and horses attacked and looted a displaced man from Sortni IDP camp. The victim was travelling from his home village of Karmi, situated 40km away from Sortni camp, when the militiamen attacked him. After being shot in the leg, the men looted his donkey and two bags of maize. The militiamen left Haroun Ahmed Hussein, a 50 year-old member of the Fur ethnic group, for almost three hours before civilians who were fetching firewood at the time found him in a critical state.

03/05/16 Four pro-government militiamen dressed in military uniform and riding camels abducted an 11 year-old displaced boy whilst he was grazing his cattle 2km outside of Rwanda IDP Camp. The militiamen abducted Aatif Ibrahim Ali and his cattle before heading north-west. The incident was reported to the police and to UNAMID.

03/05/16 Five pro-government militiamen, dressed in military uniform, attacked five girls in Tabit district as they were on their way to collect water. Two of the five girls were able to escape; however, the other three were subjected to rape. The incident was reported to the police.

08/05/16 Pro-government militiamen, under the command and control structure of Musa Hilal, abducted three displaced persons at gunpoint from the western side of Sortni IDP camp. The abducted individuals have been named as:

1. Jadaa Isaac Fadul Al-Moula, (f), 26. 2. Khadika Mohamed Hamid, (f), 32, Fur; 3. Omer Yagoub Fakher-edin, (m), 37, Fur;

08/05/16 Janjaweed militiamen dressed in military uniform and riding camels abducted two girls as they collected firewood near Nimra, which is situated 2km away from Abu Zaid Agricultural Scheme.

09/05/16 For the second time in as many days pro-government militiamen, under the command and control structure of Musa Hilal, entered Sortni IDP camp from the south-west and abducted two displaced persons at gun point. The persons abducted have been identified as:

1. Abdulmajeed Isaac, (m), 42, Fur; 2. Haroun El-Tahir, (m), 35, Fur.

09/05/16 Pro-government militiamen dressed in military uniform fired a Rocket Propelled Grenade inside a mosque in Sortni IDP camp during evening prayers. One civilian was killed and another five were severely injured in the attack. The victims have been named as:

Killed: 1. Siddig Ateem Ahmed, (m), 35, Fur;

Wounded: 1. Abdullah Abdulgabar, (m), 40, Fur; 2. El-Sayed Ahmed Adam, (m), 29, Fur; 3. Fadeela Ibrahim Abdullah, (f), 39, Fur. 4. Osman Mohamed, (m), 41, Fur; 5. Roda Ahmed Abdelkareem, (f), 28, Fur;

09/05/16 Four Janjaweed militiamen, dressed in military uniform, attacked six displaced girls in Teera locality, situated 6km away from Tawila locality. Five of the six girls were able to escape back to their homes, whilst the sixth was captured and raped. The rape victim died soon after the attack as a result of heavy bleeding. The police were able to trace the perpetrators and they arrested three of the four militiamen.

12/05/16 Seven Janjaweed militiamen, dressed in military uniform, abducted three civilians from Sortni IDP camp. The civilians were taken as they returned to the camp alongside water tankers bringing fresh water. An eyewitness confirmed that they were stopped on the road by the militiamen, held at gunpoint, and that three persons were abducted and taken towards the north-west section of the camp. The civilians abducted have been identified as:

1. “Dako”, (m), 41, Fur. 2. Dawalbeet Mohamed Abdelrazig, (m), 37, Fur; 3. Mohamed Omer Mohajir, (m), 34, Fur;

The incident was reported to UNAMID.

12/05/16 Five Janjaweed militiamen dressed in military uniform alternately raped a 17 year-old girl and her 50 year- old aunt in Kator village situated in East Jebel Marra.

27/05/16 Rapid Support Forces numbering 10 persons, dressed in military uniform, looted a commercial vehicle carrying six passengers and goods from Kagor to El-Fashir. After stopping the vehicle, the militiamen beat and ejected the driver, abducted the passengers and looted the vehicle, taking it and the passengers to an unknown destination. The following persons were abducted:

1. Al-Haj Abaker Adam, (m), 65. 2. Dawod Hamid, (m), 53; 3. Mariam Yousif Abaker. (f), 28; 4. Salma Omer Jacob, (f), 17; 5. Sarah Ali Hassan, (f), 15; 6. Shams El-Dein Salig, (m), 40;

29/05/16 Pro-government militiamen numbering some 25 persons dressed in military uniform attacked Tabit village. Civilians fled towards the military garrison in search of security, where they were aided by the Popular Defence Forces (PDF), which mobilised in order to defend the civilians. As a result of the attack one civilian was killed, four injured and four children were abducted, in addition to the theft of livestock. Monitors identified the following killed and abducted, though they were unable to provide the names of those injured.

Killed: 1. Al-Haj Adam Gido.

Abducted: 1. Hamid Adam, (m), 7; 2. Hanan Babiker, (f), 9; 3. Mahmed Khamis, (m), 6; 4. Nadia Jacob Abu Abasher, (f), 10.

South Darfur 05/05/16 A joint force consisting of pro-government militias and the Rapid Support Forces attacked a number of women on the road between Soney and Dirbat villages. During the attack two women were killed. It has further been alleged that dozens of women were raped, however, SUDO monitors were unable to investigate further into the latter allegation. The attack itself was a direct response to a previous attack conducted by forces under the command of Abdel Wahid on militias settled in the Soney village borders. Monitors identified the death of:

1. Halima Mohamed Adam, (f), 25; 2. Salwa Abdullah Khamis, (f), 21.

06/05/16 Nine pro-government militiamen abducted a civilian from his home situated in Abu Jao village. He has been taken to an unknown destination.

08/05/16 Four Janjaweed militiamen attacked a civilian in Tabongol, located 8km from Kass locality. The militiamen threatened the civilian to hand over his belongings, and when he refused to do so, they beat and shot him in the leg and looted his possessions. The incident has been reported to the police.

09/05/16 Pro-government militiamen numbering 10 persons opened fire on civilians returning from gold exploration areas in Al-Radoom locality. Monitors note that 10 persons were shot and had their possessions looted by the militiamen. The incident has been reported to the Al-Radoom police. Monitors were unable to investigate fully to confirm the total number of those killed and those who only sustained injuries, though in total 10 persons received gunshot wounds.

09/05/16 Members from the Rapid Support Forces attacked a civilian in Torey, which is situated 25km from Kass locality. The militiamen entered the victim’s field and demanded he hand over his money and his property. When he refused, the militiamen shot him and looted his belongings. Monitors identified the victim as:

1. Adam Siddig Ibrahim, (m), 62.

09/05/16 Six pro-government militiamen attacked a woman and her daughter whilst they were bringing vegetables to the market in Kass. Both the woman and her daughter were raped at gunpoint and then left severely injured. The incident has been reported to the police.

12/05/16 Three Janjaweed militiamen dressed in military uniform opened fire on a number of shop owners in Al- Salam camp situated near Nyala. During the attack two brothers were injured and had their shop looted. The injured shopkeepers have been identified as:

1. Adam Ali Ahmed. 2. Mohamed Ali Ahmed;

12/05/16 Pro-government militiamen numbering 12 persons attacked a police station located 45km from Al-Radoom village. During the violence one person was killed on either side and five civilians were injured in the crossfire.

17/05/16 A Salamat ethnic militia attacked Kabom village, situated 40km north-west of Ed El-Firsan, and began firing indiscriminately in the area killing three persons from the Habbaniya ethnic group and injuring four others. Community leaders from both sides intervened to stop the fighting and agreed that the Salamat would pay blood money for those killed.

19/05/16 Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militiamen, estimated to number 50 persons dressed in military uniform, entered Forika IDP Camp and abducted 14 males between the age of 14 and 60. Following the abduction the RSF contacted their families demanding a ransom in order to release them. The case has been reported to UNAMID. Monitors identified the abducted civilians as:

1. Abdel Abakar Adam, 20; 2. Al-Dai Shagaf Ali, 60; 3. Al-Fadel Jacob Mohamed, 30; 4. Gedo Adai Shagaf, 15; 5. Hamadi Jacob Mohamed, 40; 6. Hassan Adai Shagaf, 14; 7. Hussein Adai Shagaf, 17. 8. Isaac Shamain, 17; 9. Issa Abdullah Mohamed, 25; 10. Jacob Ali Al-Fadel, 21; 11. Mohamed Ahmed Ali, 27; 12. Salah Mohamed Ali, 19; 13. Suliman Shamain, 50; 14. Yahiya Musa Adam, 25;

23/05/16 Officers from the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) arrested two persons as they were returning to their homes in El-Salam district of Nyala. They were arrested without charge and are being held in an unknown location. Monitors have identified them as:

1. Al-Haj Ibrahim Mohamed Adam, 70; 2. Mohamed Mahmoud Idris, 35.

Central Darfur 04/05/16 Rapid Support Forces militiamen opened fire on three displaced civilians in Golo killing two and injuring another. The civilians in question had fled their village due to aerial bombardments, though had returned in order to check on their crops and to collect some personal possessions. Monitors identified the victims as;

Killed: 1. Adam Abdullah Mohamed, (m), 16. 2. Huda Ishag Abakar, (f), 18;

Wounded: 1. Kaltom Mohamed Adam, (f), 60.

12/05/16 Some 75 pro-government militiamen dressed in military uniform and riding 10 4X4 vehicles attacked Kasom village, which is situated 10km south of Golo. During the attack two persons were kidnapped. They have been identified as:

1. Abdelaziz Abdeljabar Salih, 45. 2. Salih Musa Battal, 45;

The militiamen tortured both civilians for two days, eventually shooting Salih Musa Battal and leaving him for dead on the road connecting Golo and Gildo. Fortunately for Salih Musa Battal, local civilians rescued him and took him for treatment in Zalingei. There has been no further information on Abdelaziz Abdeljabar Salih.

West Darfur 08/05/16 Officers from the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) re-arrested the Rayaam newspaper journalist Alaa El-Din Babiker, who reports on El-Geneina for the media outlet, and handed him over to the police for prosecution.

Eight officers from NISS arrested Alaa El-Din Babiker from his home in Al-Wadi area. He was then taken to the NISS offices near the Governor’s office where he was subjected to beatings. After three hours he was transferred to the police where he remained in detention for two days before being charged under Articles 77, 182 and 68 of the 1991 Sudanese Criminal Act.

Investigations were launched previously against the journalist in December 2015 following an article he published around the time of several protests in El-Geneina. Alaa El-Din Babiker was investigated under the suspicion that he had incited riots and public disorder, though he was released at the time under guarantee. Following his re-arrest he was officially charged and ordered to pay a fine of 30,000 SDG, the alleged value of the damages caused by protests.

Alaa El-Din Babiker is also a member of the Arab Socialist Party, a fact that he was repeatedly questioned about during the investigation.

22/05/16 Members of the Border Guards attacked civilians in Azernai as the residents were performing Mughrib prayer. During the assault nine civilians were killed and six were seriously injured.

The attack took place following an earlier incident in which two members of the Border Guards were stabbed causing one death and one injury following an altercation with a local trader. The trader in question handed himself over to the police, following which the militia mobilised and attacked the police station in question killing one member of the police. The militia were forced to withdraw following the intervention of the local Sudanese Armed Forces garrison.

The militia returned two hours later and began attacking the civilians within the local mosque. They then went on to loot nine shops.

Monitors named the following civilian casualties:

Killed: 1. Abdelmajid Yahia Adam, 29, Masalit; 2. Abdullah Adam Dawud, 40; 3. Abdullah Haroun Abaker, 69, Masalit; 4. Ibrahim Yahia Omar; 5. Khamid Hussein Abaker, 70; 6. Mahjub Abdulla Mohamed, 41, Masalit; 7. Mohamed Adam Dawud, 22, University student, Masalit; 8. Yahia Adam. 9. Yasin Adam Ibrahim, 28, University student, Masalit;

Injured: 1. Adam Ismail Mohamed Abaker; 2. Al-Hadi Abaker Mohamed, 35; 3. Ismail Mohamed Abaker, 43; 4. Juma Ismail Mohamed, 17. 5. Mohamed Omar Adam; 6. Nasreldeen Mustafa Adam, 8;

23/05/16 Following the incident on the 22nd May in Azernai, mourners gathered in front of El-Geneina hospital. During the peaceful remembrance an unidentified male opened fire onto the mourners killing one child and injuring two others. According to eyewitnesses the male was collected by a vehicle and escaped the pursuing mourners. The casualties have been identified as:

Killed: 1. Al-Teib Adam Deifa, 13, Masalit.

Injured: 1. Arbab Adam Abduljalil, 21, Masalit; 2. Mohamed Ishaq Haroun, 9.

The next morning a large force of Border Guards approached Azernai, led by Lieutenant Colonel Issa Hussein, and demanded the civilians pay blood money for the death of one of their members at the hands of the trader, on the 22nd May. If the civilians failed to comply then they were threatened that their entire locality would be destroyed. The civilians paid SDG 219,000. The Masalit native administration further arranged to pay the cost of medical treatment for the injured member of the Border Guards.

On the 25th May, UNAMID sent a verification mission to Azernai locality. They verified that 350 persons were displaced 300 to Kerink locality, and 50 to Ardamta IDP camp.

Blue Nile 01/05/16 Military Intelligence forces arrested a 30 year-old member of the Ingessana ethnic group from her home in the village of Deireng situated in Bao locality. Whilst searching her home, the Military Intelligence officials assaulted her before taking her to the Sudanese Armed Forces Headquarters in Demazin. She was arrested for owning a Thuriya satellite phone and for her alleged cooperation with the SPLM-N forces in Jebel Kilgo.

SUDO monitors were later presented with testimony that this woman was raped alongside another 12 women whilst held inside the military garrison. Rape was used in his manner to obtain confessions of guilt in their involvement with SPLM-N. The same source identified the routine torture and assault of male detainees within the garrison. There are still some 150 civilians detained incommunicado in the Sudanese Armed Forces Headquarters, many of who are being held in containers as routinely reported by SUDO (UK).

02/05/16 Military Intelligence arrested Musa Aflon, a 45 year-old member of the Funj ethnic group, after searching his home in Demazin, during which his laptop was confiscated. Musa Aflon was arrested by officers in the city market under the pretext that he was an associate of Asia Tokul, a civilian that was arrested on the 15th April as reported by SUDO (UK) in its April monthly report.

Musa Aflon was previously arrested on the 24th April having allegedly been in contact with Malik Agar’s office manager based in Ethiopia. Musa Aflon has been taken to the Sudanese Armed Forces headquarters in Demazin.

03/05/16 Military Intelligence forces arrested Mohamed Abu Adal, a 38 year-old member of the Funj ethnic group, from his home in Demazin. He was arrested under the suspicion that he was collaborating with the SPLM-N. Mohamed Abu Adal has been taken to the Sudanese Armed Forces headquarters in Demazin.

04/05/16 The Sudanese Air Force dropped 10 explosive bombs on Goz Al-Banat forest, located in Al-Tadaom locality. The aerial bombardment led to the death of three civilians that were working in the area and destroyed a charcoal making facility.

07/05/16 A clash between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the SPLM-N led to the killing of a civilian by the name of El-Tahir Omer in the crossfire. A corn store was destroyed whilst members of the SPLM-N looted a tractor from a local trader.

07/05/16 The Sudanese Air Forces utilised Sukhoi air-to-ground fighter jets to bombard Yaboos village situated in Al- Kurmuk locality. This led to the serious injury of four civilians.

12/05/16 The Sudanese Air Force dropped 12 explosive bombs on Yaboos village situated in Al-Kurmuk locality. This led to the killing of a cattle herder, 40 sheep and 13 cows. This was the second time Yaboos village has been bombarded in the last five days.

13/05/16 A group of SPLM-N soldiers entered Ahmer Silk village situated in Bao locality at approximately 01:00. During the incursion they beat the village Sheikh by the name of Al-Naeem Ahmed, kidnapped seven women, and threatened to kill the villagers should they cultivate their farms. They stated that the farms and produce were the property of the SPLM-N.

The women kidnapped have been named as:

1. Alawia Fadol. 2. Awadia Shamair; 3. Fatima El-Sadig; 4. Halima Kamasi; 5. Magda El-Naeem; 6. Omaima Zaki El-Fin; 7. Samia Omer;

15/05/16 Janjaweed militiamen numbering 11 persons dressed in military uniform and riding a 4X4 vehicle, harassed a number of women and looted two male civilians as they stopped a passenger vehicle travelling from Kurmuk to Demazin. The Janjaweed militiamen stopped the vehicle in the Sallei area and ordered the passengers off the vehicle. They were then searched, harassed and had their personal possessions looted. In total some SDG 3,200 was taken, as well as a mobile phone.

15/05/16 Approximately 3,000 Janjaweed militiamen, fully armed with an array of weapons, spread throughout Demazin. During this time they assaulted civilians and looted their possessions. Some of the accounts reported by monitors include:

 Kamal Wad Al-Nuba was assaulted by militiamen in Akher Mahata market situated in north Demazin after he refused to hand over his money.  Militiamen opened fire against two civilians when they prevented the militiamen from entering their homes in Al-Disa area, again situated in north Demazin. Both civilians were injured. They have been named as: 1. Abdelrahman Saed; 2. Logman Issa.  Militiamen looted the shop of Zakaria Babiker in Al-Higra district located in North Demazin. They looted goods with an estimated worth of SDG 350.  Militiamen looted three beds from Issam Ismail’s metal workshop in Al-Shabi market.  Militiamen shaved the head of Khalid Mohamed in the Demazin vegetable market as a result of him “looking at them”.  Militiamen entered Demazin stadium during the graduation ceremony of students and beat a number of civilians.  Militiamen entered the coffee shop owned by Alawia Ali in Al-Banjaded situated in north Demazin. After ordering their drinks they opened f ire on the premises causing damage.

18/05/16 Military Intelligence officials arrested Abdelrahman Hassan Girewa, the Director of the Nomads Union, from his home in Girewa village situated in Al-Tadamon locality. He was arrested under the pretext that he organised a meeting with the community leaders of the Fallata ethnic group, a group that is largely represented in the pro-Government para-military force of the Popular Defence Forces (PDF). During the meeting he was alleged to have discussed the need for the members to cease their support of the infamous PDF and to refrain from partaking in the conflict.

22/05/16 Military Intelligence forces arrested Hassan Karar Babiker, a 37 year-old employee of Kurmuk locality and resident of Demazin. He was arrested from the Demazin market under the pretext that he was communicating with the SPLM-N, and that he further allegedly provided them with information.

27/05/16 Janjaweed militiamen numbering seven persons assaulted and beat Hamad Babiker on the main street in Demazin after ordering him to stop. He was ordered to stop as he had cycled past their vehicle on his bicycle.

27/05/16 A group of Janjaweed militiamen knocked on the door of a civilian’s home and demanded to have sex with the woman. The woman’s husband intervened and he was consequently beaten, before the militiamen left the home.

28/05/16 Janjaweed militiamen numbering six persons, dressed in military uniform and riding aboard a Landcruiser, assaulted and raped a woman from Al-Shahid Afandi village, which is located in Bao locality. The militiamen raped the woman in Al-Agagir forest near her home village whilst she was collecting firewood.

28/05/16 Members from the SPLM-N assaulted Shokri Musa, a 40 year-old butcher, in his home in Buk village situated in Al-Tadamon locality. He was assaulted because he refused to displace with other Buk residents in May.

South Kordofan 01/05/16 The Sudanese Air Force dropped four bombs on the town of Heiban. Each of the bombs hit civilian homes and led to the death of six children between the age of 4 and 12. The children were identified as:

1. Ibrahim Abdelrahman Ibrahim, (m), 10; 2. Jihan Abdelrahman Ibrahim, (f), 5; 3. Katti Hafiz Mahmoud, (f), 5; 4. Koko Al-Dawli, (m), 4; 5. Nidal Abdelrahman Ibrahim, (f), 12; 6. Yousif Yagoub Omer, (m), 4.

23/05/16 The Sudanese Air Force dropped five bombs on the town of Heiban for the second time this month leading to the death of one baby and the wounding of six persons, including three minors. Monitors identified the following:

Killed: 1. Kajo John, (m), 6 months.

Wounded: 1. Ariba John, (f), 7; 2. Hani Saeed Kodi, (m), 35; 3. Honida Abdelrahman, (f), 15; 4. Ismail El-Nour Mathil, (m), 19; 5. Kaka John, (f), 20 6. Koko John, (m), 4. 01/05/16 The Council of Press and Publications sent a letter to the Meiden Newspaper editorial team demanding them to terminate the employment of Kamal Karrar, Ibrahim Merghani and Kamal Al-Gizoli on the basis that none of them were registered with Press and Publications.

 Ibrahim Merghani is the Editor-in-Chief of the political section of the newspaper;  Kamal Al-Gizoli is a journalist for the newspaper;  Kamal Karrar is an Editor of the newspaper.

02/05/16 The National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) arrested Asim Omer, a student at the University of Khartoum, following a peaceful protest at the university following the Government’s statement of intent to sell the university premises. Four days after his arrest he was transferred to the police where he was initially charged with “Causing Intentional Wounds” under article 139 of the Sudanese Criminal Act. Asim Omer was furthermore subsequently charged with “Murder” under article 130 of the Sudanese Criminal Act, due to the fact that one police officer was killed during the protest. Despite repeated requests the prosecutor has refused to meet Asim Omer.

Asim Omer is a member of the Conference of Independent Students (CIS), and he was previously dismissed from the University of Bahri due to his political activities.

03/05/16 The National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) arrested a number of students from the University of Khartoum who were engaged in peaceful protests relating to the selling of the university premises.

SUDO monitors were able to confirm the arrests of:

1. Anas Abulgasim, (m), member of the Conference of Independent Students (CIS). 2. Gadeer Abdelwahab, (f);

05/05/16 National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) agents raided the office of , a prominent human rights lawyer, in Khartoum and arrested 12 persons including nine students who were recently expelled or suspended from the University of Khartoum as a result of ongoing protests. In addition to the nine students, NISS officials arrested two relatives and one lawyer. Two of those arrested were released whilst the whereabouts of the eight students remains unknown. The dismissed students arrested are named as:

1. Ahmed Abdel Hakam, Faculty of Law; 2. Badr El-Din Salah, Faculty of Economics; 3. Hassan Al-Dai Mohamed, Faculty of Law; 4. Hussein Yahiya Harran, Faculty of Science; 5. Mai Adel, Faculty of Engineering; 6. Mohamed Adam Hassan Abuzarga, Faculty of Geography and Environmental Studies. 7. Mohamed Mahjoub Outaiba, Faculty of Law; 8. Mudathir Tayseer, Faculty of Science; 9. Wefag Gorashi, Faculty of Arts.

Also arrested were:

1. Hamid Omer Dagno, Brother of dismissed student Mohamed Omer Dagno from the Faculty of Engineering; 2. Mohamed Darag, A lawyer working alongside Nabil Adbi. He was released the same day. 3. Unknown.

09/05/16 The National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) confiscated the editions, post-print, of Al-Jareeda newspaper. An estimated 12,000 copies were seized and no reason was provided for the confiscation.

10/05/16 For the second time in as many days the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) confiscated the editions, post-print, of Al-Jareeda newspaper. Again no reason was provided for the confiscation.

10/05/16 Two police officers arrested the Al-Ahram Al-Yom newspaper journalist Mohamed Kamal from the newspaper’s office in Khartoum. The journalist was detained concerning the contents of an article that the newspaper had previously published. He was taken to the Prosecutor of crimes relating to the press where an investigation was opened, though he was later released on bail.

11/05/16 The National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) transferred the priest Hassan Abdelkareem Kori to the State Security Court after holding him in detention for more than five months without charge.

12/05/16 For the third time in four days, the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) confiscated the editions, post-print, of Al-Jareeda newspaper. Again no reason was provided for the confiscation.

On the 14th May, the newspaper’s management called a press conference and stated that they would no long continue publishing. The newspaper has since continued its publications.

12/05/16 The National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) arrested three students from their shared home in . No reason was provided for the arrest. Monitors named the students as:

1. Hamid Tagabo, (m), Omdurman Islamic University, member of the Conference of Independent Students (CIS); 2. Khalid Omer Al-Rank, (m), member of the Modern Movement for Democratic Forces. 3. Mohamed Abdullah, (m), Al-Nileen University, member of the CIS;

16/05/16 A joint forces consisting of members from the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS), student members of the ruling National Congress Party (NCP), and student members of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – Peace Wing (SPLM-PW, under the control of Daniel Kodi) assaulted students and members of the SPLM-N at the 33rd anniversary celebration of the founding of the SPLM.

The event was organised at Al-Nileen University and the attack resulted in the injury of a large number of students and activists. SUDO monitors identified the serious injury of six persons who were transferred to hospital for treatment:

1. Abdelsalam Nourain Kitab, (m), Al-Nileen University; 2. Asila Ander Ous, (m), Al-Nileen University; 3. El-Nour Al-Fadil, (m), Student 4. Hussain Al-Amin, (m), Activist; 5. Neimat Adam, (f), Activist; 6. Sohair Saeed, (f), Activist and lawyer;

17/05/16 The National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) recalled Mohamed Salih Mohamed Abdelrahman to attend the Political Security Office situated in Bahri without providing any reasons.

21/05/16 The National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) confiscated the copies, post-print, of Al-Mustagilla newspapers. The NISS officials failed to provide any reason for the confiscation.

22/05/16 For the second time in as many days the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) confiscated the editions, post-print, of Al-Mustagilla newspaper. Again the NISS officials failed to provide any reason for the confiscation.

29/05/16 The National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) confiscated the copies, post-print, of Al-Wan newspaper and opened investigations against the Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper, Bokhari Bashir.

31/05/16 The National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) forced Mujahid Abdulla, the political programs coordinator at Omdurman TV, to stop his work following an interview he conducted with activist Dr Mohamed Jalal Hashim on the construction of dams in Northern Sudan. Before forcing him to stop, Mujahid Abdulla was called to the NISS offices on a daily occurrence since the 5th March 2016.

Al-Qadarif 02/05/16 The National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) recalled Al-Tahir Al-Sair, a teacher and member of the Sudanese Communist Party and the National Consensus Forces, to their offices in Al-Qadarif. Al-Tahir Al-Sair has been investigated by NISS officers following the announcement of a public seminar concerning the murder of two students at universities and the overall political situation inside the country. He remained at the offices for an hour before being released. His seminar was prevented.

08/05/16 The National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) arrested 22 year-old Al-Qadarif University student Fadi Abai Argai at the university campus. NISS officials opened investigations against his alleged involvement in a peaceful protest on the 3rd May over a lack of university guidance on exam timetables.

Fadi Abai Argai is a student at the Faculty of Economics and Political Science. He is of Ethiopian nationality and of the Christian faith, both of which were used by the NISS officers to threaten him and stating that he had no right to protest.

The student was detained for six hours from 08:00 until 14:00. He was subsequently ordered to attend the NISS offices every day for a week. On the last day the NISS officials shaved his head when he went to gather his belongings.

13/05/16 Members from the police detained six persons in Al-Mattar neighbourhood situated in Al-Qadarif. The six civilians were arrested due to their protest against the decision of the State’s Governor to build a new school on a local park. The detained persons were released four hours later after being forced to sign a document stating that they would not object the decision. Monitors named those arrested as:

1. Nour El-Din Sharaf El-Din, (m), 30, Rickshaw driver; 2. Mujahed Mohamed, (m), 30, Rickshaw driver; 3. Rudwaan El-Tahir, (m), 30, Rickshaw driver; 4. Rabie Abdeen, (m), 30, Rickshaw driver; 5. Awadia Sharaf El-Din, (f), 38; 6. Marwa Mohamed, (f), 27.

22/05/16 The National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) arrested Ismail Mohamed Ismail, a 22 year-old member of the Conference of Independent Students (CIS) without providing any reason for his arrest. Ismail Mohamed Ismail was beaten and had his mobile phone confiscated. He was held in detention for two days before being released, and he was subsequently ordered to attend the NISS office every day except for Friday and Saturday.