Khartoum – March 10, 2024 – The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) accused the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) of refusing to receive 537 prisoners from its forces, in a move described as “inhumane” and “contrary to international humanitarian law.”

In a statement, the RSF said that its leadership had issued orders to release 537 prisoners from the Sudanese army, in coordination with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

The statement added that “the leadership coordinated with the ICRC to facilitate the transfer and handover of the prisoners, but the Sudanese army leadership refused to receive them.”

The RSF stressed that “this refusal shows the Sudanese army leadership’s disregard for the interests of its soldiers and officers, and exposes its quest to exploit them as tools to serve its personal interests.”

The Sudanese army has not yet issued any official comment on the RSF’s accusations, But the International Committee of the Red Cross confirmed, in a statement, that it “received a request from the Rapid Support Forces to facilitate the transfer and handover of 537 prisoners from the Sudanese army.”

The statement added that “the committee contacted the Sudanese army leadership to discuss the arrangements necessary for the handover process, but no agreement has been reached so far”.