RSF’s Abu Lulu Arrested, but Sudan Massacre Accountability Remains Distant
The arrest of Sudanese militia leader ‘Abu Lulu,’ a mid-ranking Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commander, has done little to ease global outrage over the paramilitary group’s alleged role in the Darfur massacre. Despite Sudanese authorities calling it a victory for justice, human rights groups warn that systemic RSF violence persists—with top leaders still shielded from consequences.
Who Is Abu Lulu? The Face of a Broader Crisis
Abu Lulu was captured last week for his alleged role in a West Darfur attack that killed over 150 civilians. Survivors describe a horror: villages burned, families hunted, and mass graves filled. While Sudan’s military government touts the arrest as progress, activists dismiss it as a smokescreen to placate international critics.
A Token Gesture in a Sea of Impunity
The RSF—a rebranded Janjaweed militia—has long been linked to war crimes in Darfur. Despite vows from Sudan’s transitional government to curb its power, the group operates unchecked, backed by political and military elites.
“One arrest doesn’t erase years of atrocities,” says Nisrin Elamin, a Human Rights Watch researcher. “The RSF’s worst offenders—including senior commanders—remain free.”
Global Condemnation, but Few Consequences
While the UN and Western nations condemn Darfur’s violence, tangible action lags. The ICC’s cases against figures like Omar al-Bashir have stalled amid Sudan’s instability. Meanwhile, survivors demand broader accountability:
“Abu Lulu is just one killer,” says a Darfuri refugee in Chad. “What about the rest? The RSF must be disbanded.”
Sudan’s Unfulfilled Pledge to Reform
After the 2019 revolution, Sudan’s transitional government promised to dissolve the RSF and merge it into the national army. Yet Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), the RSF’s chief, still wields immense power. With Sudan’s transition fragile, justice seems increasingly unlikely.
“Symbolic arrests won’t suffice,” warns Sudanese lawyer Mohamed Abdelsalam. “Dismantle the RSF. Prosecute its leaders. Compensate victims. Anything less dishonors the dead.”
Conclusion: Empty Promises, Enduring Violence
Abu Lulu’s arrest is a footnote in Darfur’s saga of impunity. Without dismantling the RSF’s structure, massacres will repeat—leaving survivors with broken trust and deferred justice.
— Reported by NextMinuteNews
