The perpetrators/Arab militias want to forcefully take the land of the Masalit. This was their
intention even before the current war. The RSF used the ongoing war with SAF to push their
agenda of displacing the Masalit and other African tribes. Based on what the perpetrators were
saying during the attacks and their methods of attack, I believe that they were targeting Masalit
as an ethnic group. For instance, the following words were used by the perpetrators during the
attacks; “this land is no longer for the Masalit but for the Arabs”, “you will only see or access
El Geneina on the screen (via television or videos)”, implying that Masalit will never come back
to El Geneina.” 47
Impacts on Masalit Community:
During the research, interviewees pointed out varied impacts which were physical, psychological, and
social-economic. Attacks on civilians and the resulting forced displacement left deep scars that extend
far beyond immediate losses. Bodies subjected to violence or harsh displacement conditions bear longterm health consequences like physical injuries, weakened immunity, malnutrition, and psychological
trauma.
The impact extends beyond the individual, affecting the wider social fabric. Communities forcibly
displaced face widespread consequences, including the loss of social ties, disruption of economic
structures, and reduced access to education and employment, all of which contribute to prolonged
fragility and instability. Understanding these interconnected effects is a crucial step toward developing
humanitarian solutions that restore the ability of some of those affected to rebuild dignified and secure
lives. The following are the impacts narrated by interviewees:
Jalal El din, 38 years, a victim from El Geneina:
“My cousin Yagoub sustained a serious spinal injury that may cause permanent disability and
another cousin Yaseen is still missing after being abducted.
The massacres and atrocities have left deep psychological scars, especially on children who
suffer from nightmares and insomnia.
47
Interview with Salih, HUDO Centre office, Kampala, 17 th September 2025.
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