On August 21, 2023, in the region of northern Sudan’s River Nile State, an inauguration ceremony marked the establishment of what is being acclaimed as the foremost and largest recruitment camp specifically aimed at enlisting girls. This action follows the call from Army Commander-in-Chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan for a comprehensive mobilization to counter reported extensive abuses attributed to the Rapid Support Forces.
The creation of these girls’ training facilities has generated dissatisfaction among women activists who perceive it as a regression to policies reminiscent of the previous Islamist regime, which was ousted in April 2019. Furthermore, critics argue that this initiative indirectly supports the continuation of the conflict, diverging from the feminist perspective that advocates for its cessation.
Situated in River Nile State, the women’s camp currently houses more than 200 females ranging from 17 to 50 years old. Many of these participants are displaced individuals who fled the conflict in Khartoum due to the paramilitary force’s takeover of numerous neighborhoods and residences in the city.
The inception of enlisting women in River Nile State was proposed by the Karama Association, established after the conflict in Khartoum, and is funded by the government. The launch of the girls’ camp was overseen by Mahgoub al-Sir, the state’s finance minister, who likened the participants to the Nusseibeh Sisters’ battalion.
Drawing parallels, the Nusseibeh Sisters were the pioneering Sudanese women’s combat unit formed in 1990 during the tenure of the former Islamist regime. Their role primarily involved supporting the army and mujahideen during the conflict against the SPLM in South Sudan.
Similarly, the recruitment of girls in the River Nile State aims to provide practical support, including assisting wounded army personnel and providing both moral and material aid. Additionally, participants receive training in handling light weaponry and can serve as medical volunteers in field hospitals located in conflict zones. Alternatively, they can engage as humanitarian volunteers.
The motivation for these volunteers stems from their personal experiences of adversity, particularly in the face of confrontations between the army and the Rapid Support Forces. Many have encountered instances of rape, abduction, fatalities, displacement, and occupation of their homes. The prospect of preparing for potential worst-case scenarios and safeguarding against possible violations serves as a significant driving force for their participation, as revealed by multiple women in the camp.
Prominent Moves
Radiologist Safaa Salah shared her involvement in the camp as a means to alleviate the negative emotions incurred during the conflict. She highlighted their vulnerability in the presence of RSF soldiers, who engaged in authoritarian behavior, oppression, and severe forms of torture against civilians.
“What struck me the most was how they stripped us of our connection to our homeland. They conducted identity card searches, imposed travel restrictions that required their permission, conducted vehicle searches, invaded our homes, and stole everything we had earned,” Safaa shared.
Safaa elaborated on her motivation for joining the camp, focusing on learning how to use weapons for potential future confrontations and standing up for girls whose dignity has been violated by the RSF.
Amidst tears, Fatima Saleh recounted her heart-wrenching story, revealing the loss of both her brother and uncle due to perilous circumstances. This experience intensified her resolve to align herself with the army. She expressed that the most distressing aspects were incidents of rape and the abduction of girls. Fatima urged her fellow girls not to endure the humiliation inflicted by tyrants and to take measures to protect themselves.
Farha Ibrahim al-Mahi, the coordinator at the camp, shed light on the training program. The inaugural group comprised 221 recruits who received training in first aid, initiated efforts to gather donations for injured army members, and engaged in baking to provide sustenance for soldiers stationed at army camps. She disclosed that the first batch would conclude their training on August 29th, after which an additional 300 registered recruits would undergo training.
The movement to recruit women is gaining momentum in various states that have launched initiatives to bolster army support. In Port Sudan, the capital of the Red Sea State, the Sudanese Women’s Initiative was established to back the army’s endeavors. The initiative involves setting up camps to train women in self-defense, caring for families affected by war, and supporting shelters for those in need.
Aya Abdel-Azim, a displaced individual from Khartoum North, participated in a camp in the Nile River State. She viewed self-protection training and skill development as a vital responsibility for every woman, especially given the prevailing security tensions in the country. As a doctor, she frequently found herself working in conflict zones, providing aid to the wounded. Consequently, she felt compelled to undergo training in weaponry and self-defense to effectively respond to potential attacks.
She emphasized that the rape of girls by members of the RSF is an extremely distressing ordeal, often resulting in a girl’s profound shock. The accompanying humiliation necessitates the ability to extricate oneself from a situation that society perceives as stigmatizing.
A contingent of girls in the Nile River State hurriedly joined the camp, foreseeing potential attacks and similar violations in a region that shares a border with Khartoum State.
Nour Nasr El-Din shared that she had heard accounts of incidents during the war that led her to anticipate a comparable situation if an attack were to occur in the River Nile State. Rumors about the presence of RSF elements in various localities within the state intensified this feeling.
Serving as a Facade for Islamists
On the contrary, feminist groups cautioned that training girls might be a mere facade for various activities seeking to revive the influence of isolated Islamists. This is especially concerning as the River Nile State holds historical significance within the Islamic movement.
Activist Ihsan Faqiri asserted that Islamists were attempting to exploit the situation to their advantage. She remarked, “They’re suddenly addressing rape now but remained silent when an entire village’s women were raped in Tabit of North Darfur State several years ago.”
“While instances of rape and the captivity of women have occurred, those who supported the Islamist regime lack the political and moral qualifications to defend women,” she added.
In response, the “Women Against War” group expressed concern about the increasing polarization of young individuals and their growing militarization. The visible military presence in normally secure cities and villages, coupled with the entry of new forces into the combat arena, indicates the prolongation of the conflict. In a statement released on Saturday, the group emphasized that breaking free from the deadlock of war begins with the unity of all civilian forces and necessitates assertive actions to obstruct the path of warmongers.
The overseer of the recruitment camp in the Nile River State defended the concept, underlining that it is apolitical and was established in response to the call of the homeland and the directives of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
“The prevailing situation in the country has prompted girls to enroll to safeguard themselves, especially given the looming threat of the Rapid Support Forces,” she affirmed.
