Al-Fadil “Awfy” Ismail arbitrarily detained by Rapid Support Forces
On 5 November 2025, human rights defender Al-Fadil Ismail Adam Abdelbari, known as “Awfy,” was arrested by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the main market of Zalingei, Central Darfur, near his shop by the Grand Mosque. He was taken to an RSF intelligence facility in the Karank neighbourhood before being transferred later the same day to Zalingei central prison. As of 18 November 2025, he remains detained without charge and without access to due process guarantees, with no public explanation provided by the authorities.
Al-Fadil Ismail Adam Abdelbari, known as “Awfy,” is a human rights defender, volunteer with the Emergency Response Room in Zalingei (Kanjomiyya neighbourhood), Central Darfur, and a member of the Zalingei Resistance Committees Coordinating Body. A graduate of El Geneina University’s Faculty of Economics, Al-Fadil is widely recognised in his community for his humanitarian and voluntary work.
On 5 November 2025, human rights defender Al-Fadil Ismail Adam Abdelbari, known as “Awfy,” was arrested by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the main market of Zalingei, Central Darfur, near his shop by the Grand Mosque. He was taken to an RSF intelligence facility in the Karank neighbourhood before being transferred later the same day to Zalingei central prison. As of 18 November 2025, he remains detained without charge and without access to due process guarantees, with no public explanation provided by the authorities.
Al-Fadil Ismail Adam Abdelbari, known as “Awfy,” is a human rights defender, volunteer with the Emergency Response Room in Zalingei (Kanjomiyya neighbourhood), Central Darfur, and a member of the Zalingei Resistance Committees Coordinating Body. A graduate of El Geneina University’s Faculty of Economics, Al-Fadil is widely recognised in his community for his humanitarian and voluntary work.
According to reports received by Front Line Defenders, RSF forces arrested Al-Fadil Ismail Adam Abdelbari at approximately 5:00 p.m. (Sudan time) on 5 November 2025 and transferred him to the RSF intelligence headquarters located in the former doctors’ hostel/health insurance building in the Karank neighbourhood. After being interrogated there, the human rights defender was moved to the Zalingei central prison later that evening. To date, no official charges or complaints have been filed against him. His continued detention without legal justification constitutes a clear violation of his rights to liberty, personal security, and due process under both Sudanese and international human rights law.
Since the outbreak of the conflict in Sudan in April 2023, human rights defenders and community volunteers in Darfur have faced increasing targeting by the RSF and other armed actors. This includes arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and attacks on humanitarian volunteers and local resistance committees.
Front Line Defenders is deeply concerned about the arbitrary detention of Al-Fadil Ismail Adam Abdelbari, and believes that his detention is linked to his peaceful human rights and humanitarian efforts in his community.
Front Line Defenders urges the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan to:
- Immediately and unconditionally release human rights defender Al-Fadil Ismail Adam Abdelbari and ensure that no charges are pursued against him in connection with his legitimate human rights work;
- Ensure that, during his period of detention, his conditions of detention comply with international human rights standards, including access to medical care, contact with family, and legal representation;
- Guarantee in all circumstances that all human rights defenders, volunteers, and community activists in Sudan can carry out their peaceful and legitimate activities without fear of reprisals, arbitrary detention, or any other form of intimidation or obstruction.
