Darfur survivors vow to tell story of those killed after Sudan camp attacks
Survivors of devastating attacks on displacement camps in Darfur are determined to preserve the memory of those killed and share the reality of the violence.
In a small house in Omdurman, Hassan Saber Jumaa, a senior administrator at the Zamzam displacement camp, scrolls through his phone looking for photographs of the area. His previous device was looted during an assault by the Rapid Support Forces, leaving him with only memories of the location near el-Fasher that once sheltered hundreds of thousands of people. Established in 2004, Zamzam was home to generations displaced by the long-standing Darfur conflict. Alongside Abu Shouk and al-Salam, it formed a major concentration of displaced civilians in the region.
Following the outbreak of Sudan's current war in 2023, the RSF captured Zamzam in April 2025 after months of escalating violence and a confirmed famine. Survivors described severe shortages caused by restricted goods movement, forcing residents to consume animal feed and mix mud with flour to bake bread. On April 11, the RSF launched a three-day assault, burning homes and health facilities while killing at least 1,013 civilians, according to a United Nations Human Rights Office report. Witnesses reported seeing bodies scattered across streets and markets as fighters pursued fleeing residents.
Zamzam survivors vow to bear witness and share the tragic history of camp attacks.
The violence subsequently spread to el-Fasher and surrounding camps. The RSF captured Abu Shouk camp in August 2025, where dozens were reported killed, before seizing el-Fasher itself on October 26. The UN documented thousands of deaths during these operations and concluded that RSF actions amounted to war crimes, though the group has denied deliberately targeting civilians while acknowledging some abuses. Displaced residents now scattered across the region emphasize the importance of keeping the memory of the victims alive.
Understanding the Darfur conflict summary
For survivors like Mukhtar Musa, the trauma of the sieges and the loss of community members remains unforgettable. Despite ongoing displacement, those who fled are dedicated to recounting the events and ensuring that the stories of the deceased are not forgotten.
Why it matters
The devastation of displacement camps in Darfur and the subsequent humanitarian crises affect regional stability and displace hundreds of thousands of civilians. Survivors of these events face prolonged displacement and trauma, relying on personal accounts to document the historical impact of the conflict.