Haidar Idris

Their life

Haidar Idris was a 37-year-old resident of Zamzam Camp for the Displaced in North Darfur, Sudan. A victim of Sudan’s protracted conflict, Haidar lived as an internally displaced person (IDP), navigating life under constant threat and insecurity. He was part of his community’s efforts to protect their remaining livelihoods after armed groups reportedly stole hundreds of sheep and kidnapped a shepherd near the camp.

Haidar Idris was a 37-year-old resident of Zamzam Camp for the Displaced in North Darfur, Sudan. A victim of Sudan’s protracted conflict, Haidar lived as an internally displaced person (IDP), navigating life under constant threat and insecurity. He was part of his community’s efforts to protect their remaining livelihoods after armed groups reportedly stole hundreds of sheep and kidnapped a shepherd near the camp.

On the evening of April 16, 2025, Haidar joined a recovery team sent to retrieve the bodies of fellow residents who had been shot earlier that day by armed assailants. Tragically, the attackers ambushed his group as they neared Foul Abyad, and Haidar was shot and killed alongside two others. His death marked yet another devastating loss for a community already burdened by violence, displacement, and impunity.

Remembered for his courage and commitment to his community, Haidar Idris is one of several innocent civilians who paid the ultimate price for simply trying to safeguard and honor the lives of his people.

How they died

Shot and killed by armed men

Shot and killed by armed men (suspected Rapid Support Forces), while attempting to retrieve bodies of previously killed community members during a search operation related to livestock theft.

A plea from the family

In the aftermath of the killing of Haidar Idris and six others, thousands of displaced residents from Zamzam Camp took to the streets in a mass demonstration. Carrying the bodies of the slain, including Haidar’s, they blocked the El Fasher–Nyala road, demanding justice and protection. The chants and protest signs echoed a shared plea: “We demand retribution.” “We demand protection for the displaced.” “Bring the perpetrators to justice.” The protest was not only a call for accountability, but also a desperate cry for safety, dignity, and the right to live without fear. Families of the victims, including Haidar’s, urged local authorities and the international community to stop the impunity enjoyed by militias such as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), believed to be behind the attacks.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Haidar Idris, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources