The Sharg el-Nil Observatory for Human Rights said on Saturday that the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has launched a campaign of mass arrests, specifically targeting coordinators of central kitchens in the Sharg el-Nil Locality of Khartoum City.

 "In the past period, the emergency rooms in Khartoum initiated a solidarity-based project for central kitchens to provide sustenance for the population stranded in the state after relief corridors to conflict areas were blocked," the Observatory stated in a statement extended to Radio Tamazuj.

Over the past few days, the Observatory has "closely monitored a systematic arrest campaign by the RSF targeting supervisors of kitchen operations and solidarity bases (Takaya) in the locality."

"The total beneficiaries of the central kitchens' services have reached 150,000 citizens," the Observatory clarified. "These kitchens serve as the sole refuge for families unable to cope with the significant rise in food prices due to conflict and disrupted communication networks," it added.

The statement issued a plea for the release of the detained individuals responsible for managing the kitchens to allow for the resumption of their operations.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Sunday, Mosab Mahjoub, the official spokesperson for the Sharg el-Nil Observatory for Human Rights, said: "The RSF's campaign of arrests targeting kitchen coordinators jeopardizes the continued operation of numerous kitchens, putting residents of Sharg el-Nil neighbourhoods at risk of starvation."

Mahjoub anticipated that the arrests likely affected supervisors in other areas as well, but communication breakdowns hindered confirmation.

He pointed out that some kitchens had ceased operations due to the absence of detained supervisors. He explained, "The arrests of these kitchen coordinators have severely impacted their functionality, leading to the shutdown of many. Consequently, numerous residents of Sharg el-Nil will face hunger due to their heavy reliance on these kitchens."

Mahjoub did not say how many supervisors and coordinators have been arrested in Sharg el Nil Locality so far.

In an effort to verify the situation, Radio Tamazuj attempted to contact RSF advisor Musa Khidam but received no response, neither affirmative nor negative.

The Sudanese army and the RSF began battling each other in mid-April last year as tensions over plans for a new political transition and restructuring of the military erupted into heavy fighting.

The conflict has driven nearly 8.5 million people from their homes, creating the world's biggest displacement crisis, pushed parts of the 49-million population close to famine, and triggered waves of ethnically driven killings and sexual violence in the western region of Darfur.

The army, which has recently regained some ground in the capital, shunned an appeal from the UN Security Council for a ceasefire during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.