systematically targeting Masalit homes however other African tribal communities were also affected. In many cases, the attackers climbed over walls of houses—especially those of Masalit families and killed the residents inside. For example, my neighbour Mr. Abbas, was killed inside his house. My own house was spared only because the attackers did not realize it belonged to a Masalit family. I had bought it recently and moved in just a few months earlier. The assault continued as they shot, tortured and killed civilians for about two months. We decided to flee to Chad and during the journey, we passed through fourteen (14) RSF checkpoints whereby, at every checkpoint, we were humiliated, interrogated, and threatened. At checkpoints, they asked about our tribes and if someone admitted to being a Masalit, they were killed or arrested immediately. Many people were killed, beaten, or disappeared, while the RSF shouted at them to hurry and leave, saying: Move, move! This is Arab land now.”32 Halima, 43 years old, a victim and community leader, was at home with her family in El Geneina when the RSF attacked. “On Monday 24th April 2023, at 8:00 am, while I was at home with my family, I heard gunshots in the western part of the city, shortly afterward, RSF supported by Arab militias, stormed the southwestern outskirts of the city. They targeted and burned the IDP centres where most of the Masalit tribe are hosted. The situation stabilized for a short while, and most of the displaced persons returned to their neighborhoods. However, on 12th, 13th and 14th May 2023, RSF forces and allied militias attacked again the same neighbourhoods, looted properties and burned civilian homes with petrol. This forced the residents to flee and take refuge in the Al-Zahraa University dormitory in Al-Madaris neighborhood. After Governor Khamis Abdalla Abaker was killed (on 14th June 2023) El Geneina was fully controlled by RSF. The attackers killed many people, and they kept on saying that they needed to “clean up the remaining Masalit”. The surviving Masalit split into two groups, one headed to west, and the other east towards the SAF headquarters in Ardamata 33. I witnessed this myself. The Masalit tribe were hard-pressed and moved out like locusts, it's as if we are in the land of resurrection, going where we do not know. 32 Interview with Jalal-Eldin, Kampala, 20th July 2025. It is a suburb about 2 km outside El Geneina, where the SAF military garrison is based. 33 20