Location of incident: El Geneina, the capital of West Darfur state.
Impact location: El Geneina Local Administration shelter center at coordinates 13.434225, 22.443314.
Date: The exact date of the fire could not be accurately determined, but cross-referencing media and social media reports and satellite imagery suggests that the fire likely broke out on Tuesday, April 25, 2023.
Time: The exact time of the fire could not be determined. Initial reports show that clashes in El Geneina began at around 8:31 AM local time on April 24, 2023. Satellite imagery indicates that the shelter centers, including the El Geneina Local Administration shelter, were likely burned on April 25, 2023.
Victims: The exact number of victims could not be confirmed, but news and civil society reports claimed dozens were killed or injured in shelters during this period in El Geneina.
Type of Incident: Fire.
Weapons Used: Unknown.
Possible Perpetrators: Rapid Support Forces and allied militias, the Sudanese Armed Forces, or other militias from outside the city.

Introduction

Between April 24 and 27, 2023, 10 displaced persons’ shelter centers, including the shelter at the El Geneina Local Administration, were burned. More than half of the area of the Local Administration, which housed tents, huts, furniture, and possessions of displaced people, most of whom belonged to the Masalit tribe, was destroyed (hyperlink removed for privacy of vulnerable persons, but materials archived and available on request). Stone buildings were also damaged, and the displaced people fled the area.

According to videos and images shared on social media, the incidents resulted in dozens killed and injured, with near-total destruction within the shelters, in addition to the displacement of their residents.

Impact Location

This shelter center is located within the premises of the El Geneina Local Administration (also known as the ‘Locality’) on the main A5 road which separates Al-Tadamon and Al-Majlis neighbourhoods.

The Local Administration was one of several government institutions on both sides of the A5 road that, between 2019 and 2021, were transformed into shelters. Most of the displaced people housed there were reportedly from the Masalit tribe. These individuals were relocated to shelter centers that were once schools or government institutions, which ceased operations and were converted to shelters following the events at Krinding 1 and 2 camps located southeast of El Geneina.

Satellite image from Google Earth on April 19, 2023 showing government institutions and schools near the A5 road including the El Geneina Local Administration shelter (red square) at coordinates 13.434225, 22.443314. Annotated by Sudanese Archive on the image captured on June 4, 2024.

The El Geneina Local Administration underwent two transformations into a shelter. The first phase, captured by satellite imagery on January 24, 2020, shows huts and tents in the block, indicating its conversion into a shelter. On January 21, 2020, the Sudanese Professionals Association estimated that 334 families, totaling 1,834 displaced individuals, were residing in the El Geneina Local Administration shelter. By September 1, 2020, these signs of the shelter were no longer visible on satellite imagery.

Animated satellite images from Maxar via Google Earth Pro showing huts and tents at the El Geneina Local Administration shelter (red square; coordinates: 13.434225, 22.443314) appearing by January 24, 2020, and their absence on September 1, 2020, captured and compiled by Sudanese Archive on June 4, 2024.

At the start of 2021, the El Geneina Local Administration was again transformed into a shelter. An image published on The New Humanitarian shows the early days of the Local Administration' conversion into a shelter, with the area filled with tents and straw huts.

*At the top, an* *image* published in The New Humanitarian, and at the bottom, two Google Earth Pro satellite images from April 2021 (bottom left) and 2023 (bottom right), both showing the transformation of the El Geneina Local Administration (coordinates: 13.434225, 22.443314) into a shelter. These images were captured and annotated by Sudanese Archive on March 26, 2024.

The earliest evidence that Sudanese Archive obtained of the re-establishment of the Local Administration shelter dates back to January 25, 2021, in a video report published by France24 on YouTube. The report’s audio described people displaced to the El Geneina Local Administration shelter, one of more than 60 shelters established in the state at the time, as they fled the ongoing events in El Geneina.

*At the top, panorama image from a France24* *video* on YouTube; at the bottom, a Google Earth satellite image from March 29, 2022, at coordinates 13.434225, 22.443314. Annotations by Sudanese Archive on the highlighted features of the El Geneina Local Administration shelter in the image captured on March 26, 2024.

The features depicted in the France24 video align with what satellite images show regarding the initial formation of the El Geneina Local Administration shelter. A satellite image from January 20, 2021, shows the emergence of what appear to be tents and huts in the block, which had previously been empty. Subsequent satellite images show the expansion of these shelters to cover most of the block’s area by January 31, 2021.

Animated images from Maxar via Google Earth Pro showing the phases of establishment and development of the El Geneina Local Administration shelter at coordinates 13.434225, 22.443314, between November 18, 2020, and January 30, 2021, captured and compiled by Sudanese Archive on March 26, 2024.

A satellite image taken on April 19, 2023 shows the Local Administration area still functioning as a shelter.

*Satellite image from Airbus via Google Earth Pro on April 19, 2023 showing the El Geneina Local Administration shelter (red square) captured and annotated by Sudanese Archive on June 4, 2024.*

What Happened and When

Media websites and activists and journalists in El Geneina reported news accompanied by images and videos indicating that clashes occurred in the city, resulting in the burning of most shelters, including the El Geneina Local Administration shelter, which was almost completely destroyed. There were claims of dozens being killed and injured, alongside looting and theft from homes, markets, and government institutions.

Comparing satellite images from Google Earth taken on April 19, 2023, and ESRI World Imagery Wayback on May 17, 2023, shows that the El Geneina Local Administration shelter suffered extensive fire damage, affecting the entire area that previously housed tents and huts.

*At the top, satellite image from Google Earth on April 19, 2023, showing the El Geneina Local Administration shelter at coordinates 13.434225, 22.443314; at the bottom, satellite image from* *ESRI World Imagery Wayback* *on May 17, 2023; captured and annotated by Sudanese Archive on July 24, 2024.*

Initial Reports

The first report that Sudanese Archive obtained came at 8:31 AM local time on April 24, 2023. Journalist Enaam Nour Mohammed from El Geneina Radio reported clashes involving "light and heavy weapons since the morning in El Geneina."

At 8:51 AM, a post on X (formerly Twitter) mentioned ongoing clashes in El Geneina between Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in Al-Jamarik neighborhood.

*Screenshot from a* *post* *by the activist "Abu Ghareeb" on X, captured by Sudanese Archive on March 28, 2024.*

A post on X at 9:43 AM mentioned eyewitness accounts of gunfire occurring between RSF and SAF in Al-Jamarik neighborhood in the western part of the city and in Al-Jabal neighborhood.

A post later that morning on X reported heavy gunfire with light and heavy weapons in El Geneina. Subsequently, many other reports were shared, with journalists reporting intensification of clashes and specifying the start of the clashes as the morning of April 24. Activists described rising smoke in the city, gunfire, shelling with light and heavy weapons, and fires, and civilians fleeing from the southern neighborhoods in search of safe areas.

The first report specifically mentioning shelter centers that Sudanese Archive accessed came at 7:19 PM, when the activist "Salim Dar Andoka" on X noted that El Geneina was being attacked from four directions, including the shelters in the city.

*Screenshot from a* *post* *by "Salim Dar Andoka" on X, captured by Sudanese Archive on March 28, 2024.*

Reports continued to emerge over the following days, with Al Jazeera, the Preliminary Committee of the Sudanese Doctors' Syndicate, Tayba Satellite Channel, and social media users Hassan Bakri and Khalid Abaker publishing news on April 27 that included images and videos discussing the attack on El Geneina and the shelters.

*Screenshot from a* *post* *by the Preliminary Committee of the Sudanese Doctors' Syndicate on X account, captured by Sudanese Archive on March 28, 2024.*

Ayin Network reported on April 27, 2023, that clashes in El Geneina had been ongoing for two days between RSF and SAF, quoting Moussa Haroun, a leader among the displaced in the "Abu Zar Camp," stating that "armed men attacked five gatherings of displaced people in the city center, completely burning them and forcing thousands of civilians to flee." Ayin Network pinpointed the start of the clashes in El Geneina at around 8:00 AM on April 24, 2023, asserting that residents woke up to gunfire and a massive column of smoke above Al-Jamarik neighborhood. The report noted that these clashes escalated the following day, April 25, with individuals attacking and completely burning down displaced persons' camps.

From April 28, local media and activists reported the burning of shelters, including the Local Administration shelter center. One activist shared a video on Facebook purporting to show the destruction caused by the fires in the shelters.

In a video purportedly showing burned areas in El Geneina, Abdelkhaleq Dodin, the Darfur governor's advisor for humanitarian affairs, blamed militias from outside the city for the attack and the burning of 10 shelters, as well as hospitals, clinics, water points and the city market; and for the siege of civilians and the looting of their homes and public facilities.

The exact timing of the fire at the Local Administration shelter center could not be precisely determined, but based on information circulated in the media, social media and satellite images, it is likely that the fire broke out on Tuesday April 25, 2023.

Animated satellite images, using Sentinel-2 satellites and false color application, display dark patches suggesting burned areas on April 29, with no indication of burning on April 24. Sudanese Archive identified the Local Administration shelter center as part of these burned areas.

Left: Satellite image showing El Geneina Local Administration shelter center (blue square) at coordinates 13.434225, 22.443314, on April 24, 2023.

Right: Satellite image showing El Geneina Local Administration shelter center on April 29, 2023. Annotated by Sudanese Archive on images captured from Sentinel-2 processed through Copernicus Browser on June 4, 2024.

On the night of April 29, 2023, Benjamin Strick posted on X an annotated satellite image from Planet Labs PBC showing burn damage at several locations in El Geneina, including the El Geneina Local Administration shelter center; the satellite image from Planet Labs PBC was dated April 28. A subsequent image posted on April 30 also showed the effects of burning of the El Geneina Local Administration shelter center, along with other nearby shelters and institutions.

*Image from Benjamin Strick's* *post* on X: This satellite image from Planet Labs PBC on April 28 shows burned areas in El Geneina. The white annotations are from the source, while the light blue square placed by Sudanese Archive identifies the Local Administration shelter center at coordinates 13.434225, 22.443314; image captured on March 28, 2024.

*Image from Benjamin Strick's* *post* on X: This satellite image from Planet Labs PBC on April 30 shows burned areas in El Geneina. The white annotations are from the source, while the light blue square placed by Sudanese Archive identifies the Local Administration shelter center at coordinates 13.434225, 22.443314; image captured on March 28, 2024.

NASA FIRMS provides thermal indications for April 25, 2023, showing a presence of heat signatures on that day, while these signatures were absent on April 24, 26, and 27. Sudanese Archive located the Local Administration shelter center in El Geneina within these heat signatures by comparing notable landmarks in the area.

*Comparison of* *NASA FIRMS* thermal indicator satellite images, illustrating the heat signatures for the Local Administration shelter center in El Geneina at coordinates 13.434225, 22.443314, between April 24 and 27, 2023. The red markings indicate heat signatures from NASA FIRMS, while the blue square, placed by Sudanese Archive, highlights the shelter center. The images were captured on February 23, 2024.

Reports from Radio Dabanga, Ayin Network and Al Jazeera point to the burning of shelter centers taking place on Tuesday, April 25, 2023.

However, some activists mention that the shelter centers were targeted and burned on April 27, with a post on Facebook stating that the "attack on the shelters on April 27 was the second time, following the burning of part of the centers, prompting the displaced individuals to seek refuge in schools and the city streets."

After analysing reports, satellite images, and videos, Sudanese Archive suggests that the Local Administration shelter center in El Geneina was burned on April 25, 2023, leading to the displacement of its residents.

Geographic Locations

Impact Location: Local Administration shelter center, El Geneina

Coordinates: 13.434225, 22.443314

An *image* *posted on Facebook on May 12, 2023 showing the El Geneina Local Administration, captured by Sudanese Archive on September 24, 2024.*

Two versions of a video show the aftermath of fires purportedly at several shelter centers including the Local Administration center (visible at 02:25). The Local Administration shelter appears to be almost completely destroyed, with the videographer claiming it was fully burned.

*Screenshot from a* *video* *posted to X on May 1, 2023 showing destruction at the Local Administration shelter center in El Geneina, image captured by Sudanese Archive on March 28, 2024.*

*At the top is a panoramic image from a* *video* *posted by France24 to YouTube on January 25, 2021, showing the Local Administration shelter before the incident. In the middle is a panoramic image from a* *video* posted to Facebook on May 1, 2023 showing the aftermath of the fire at the Local Administration shelter. At the bottom is a satellite image from Google Earth Pro on April 19, 2023 at coordinates 13.434225, 22.443314. Annotated by Sudanese Archive on the images captured on April 4, 2024.

Destruction

Reports, videos and satellite images from after the incident illustrate the direct effects of the fires that impacted the shelter centers in El Geneina. Reports also described victims of violence and displacement; Sudanese Archive has not confirmed whether the reported victims were killed or injured inside the shelters or elsewhere, nor the displacement caused to residents.

According to a report by Ayin Network on April 30, 2023, neighborhoods in El Geneina were charred due to multiple fires, especially affecting the displaced persons' camps. Residents claimed that armed men robbed the displaced individuals in the camps before setting their settlements on fire.

A video posted to X on May 1, 2023, shows the aftermath of the fire at the Local Administration shelter center, where tents, makeshift shelters, and the residents' belongings were burned. The fire's effects are also visible on the stone walls of the building.

Screenshots from a video on X showing the aftermath of the fire at the Local Administration shelter center, captured by Sudanese Archive on July 23, 2024.

Another video (hyperlink removed for privacy of vulnerable persons, but materials archived and available on request), posted to Facebook on May 12, 2023, shows the destruction caused by the fire to wooden carts and makeshift shelters, the collapse of corrugated metal (‘zinc’) roofs, broken glass in buildings, signs of smoke on the buildings, and ash on the ground and on household items and furniture.

Screenshots from a video on Facebook (hyperlink removed for privacy of vulnerable persons, but materials archived) showing the aftermath of the fire at the Local Administration shelter Center, captured and blurred by Sudanese Archive on July 24, 2024.

To illustrate the extent of the destruction caused by the fire, Sudanese Archive compared satellite images that displayed the location before and after the incident.

The area of the Local Administration shelter center block (the stone buildings and the open area that contains the tents and makeshift shelters) is approximately 7,300 square meters.

*Satellite image from Google Earth Pro showing the area of the Local Administration shelter center at coordinates 13.434225, 22.443314, captured and annotated by Sudanese Archive on July 24, 2024.*

Sudanese Archive estimated the area of destruction by comparing a Google Earth image of the Local Administration shelter Center from April 19, 2023, with an image of the same location from ESRI World Imagery Wayback satellite on May 17, 2023. The area that appears to have burned is approximately half of the total area; the permanent buildings were affected by the fire without collapsing.

*Satellite image from Airbus via Google Earth Pro of the Local Administration shelter Center on April 19, 2023, captured by Sudanese Archive on July 24, 2024.*

*Satellite image from* *ESRI World Imagery Wayback* *showing the Local Administration shelter Center on May 17, 2023, captured by Sudanese Archive on July 24, 2024.*

A subsequent Google Earth image from April 12, 2024, shows damage to the roof of the Local Administration building (red roof on north side of the block) and the absence of any huts or tents, indicating that the displaced persons have not returned.

Satellite image from Google Earth Pro of the Local Administration shelter Center on April 12, 2024 shows damage to a building's roof and the absence of tents and huts, captured by Sudanese Archive on July 24, 2024.

Conclusion

Based on the detailed information above, it can be confirmed that the El Geneina Local Administration shelter center was burned, leading to its near-total destruction, and implying that the residents were displaced. Initial reports, and analysis of images, videos and satellite imagery state that the shelter was burned between April 24 and April 27, 2023, with the most likely date as April 25. Sudanese Archive could not accurately determine the presence of fatalities at the Local Administration shelter center.

Visual content, witness testimonies, reports circulated by local media and activists, international civil society and UN reports, and satellite imagery analysis, confirm extensive destruction in multiple shelters across the city, pointing to a deliberate and systematic campaign of destruction against internally displaced persons’ shelters. Sudanese Archive was not able to independently determine who was responsible for the burning of the shelter centers, but reports shared online pointed to the Rapid Support Forces and allied militias, the Sudanese Armed Forces, or other militias from outside the city as involved in fighting in El Geneina during this period, and as potentially responsible for the attacks on the shelter centers.

.css-68jq5d{padding-bottom:1.45rem;color:#ffffff;-webkit-transition:0.25s;transition:0.25s;}.css-68jq5d:hover{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}INVESTIGATIONS

Investigation into the Burning, and Displacement of Residents of the El Geneina Local Administration Shelter Center

Table Of Contents

INVESTIGATIONS