Darfur: Sudan forces rape 2 girls near Rwanda base

Kigali: Sudan government forces stationed in the area near the base for Rwanda troops in North Darfur have been accused of raping two girls, looting and wounding several refugees in an attack, according to witnesses and media reports.

Reports from Tawila - where a contingent of Rwandan troops is stationed, indicate that Sudan troops attacked the displaced refugees on Saturday firing in the air with heavy guns. The attack was followed with pillaging and looting of anything they could come across.

When contacted, the Rwanda army spokesman referred RNA to the UNAMID headquarters in Darfur. A senior advisor in the office of Gen. Patrick Nyamvumba, the UNAMID commander, told RNA he was on leave in Rwanda and did not have any details about the incident.

Witnesses told Sudanese Radio Dabanga on Monday that the government forces raped two girls, 15 and 19 years old during the attack. They wounded a man in the leg with gunfire and also killed a donkey.

Other witnesses narrated that that the displaced refugees heard there were 200 vehicles packed with government soldiers coming from Kebkabiya towards Tawila and they fled for protection to UNAMID camp.

Despite running to the UNAMID camp, the government soldiers apparently were not deterred – pursuing the refugees. By press time RNA was still trying to get details from UNAMID headquarters about the attack.

RNA Reporter