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Evacuated from their homes in Shambat residents sought shelter in Al-Droushab a safer area north of Bahri on January 8 2025 (Photo: Sudan Trubunal)
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Khartoum - Twenty human rights groups have warned of escalating atrocities and a growing risk of “genocidal violence” in Sudan, urging the international community to take immediate action to protect civilians and pressure warring parties to halt the violence.
In a joint statement, Sudanese and international organizations expressed deep concern over reports of revenge attacks, extrajudicial killings, and other acts of violence by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and their allies, including the Sudan Shield Forces, following the recapture of Wad Madani on January 10.
The groups stated that the violence targeted specific ethnic groups based on alleged collaboration with the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF). They cited reports and video footage documenting “horrific acts,” including cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, torture, and extrajudicial executions.
“These acts constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law that amount to international crimes,” the statement read.
Patterns of targeted violence
The rights groups reported that residents of camps in Al Jazirah State were particularly targeted, with evidence pointing to “deliberate and systematic destruction of their homes and livelihoods.” The statement cited reports of “death squads” affiliated with the SAF, Sudan Shield Forces, and allied militias targeting civilians based on ethnic origin, skin color, and ties to Darfur, Kordofan, South Sudan, and other regions.
Victims were primarily agricultural workers from ethnic groups such as the Tama, Misseriya, Fur, Zaghawa, and Massalit. Perpetrators frequently accused these groups of being the social support base or “collaborators” of the RSF, claims the rights groups deemed baseless.
Since the conflict erupted in April 2023, thousands of unarmed civilians from Darfur and Kordofan have been arbitrarily arrested, detained, and, in some cases, extrajudicially executed in major cities, according to the statement.
History of abuses
The rights groups also criticized the RSF for prior abuses in Al Jazirah, especially following the defection of former RSF commander Abu-Agla Kikel to the SAF in October 2024. They accused SAF leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan of ignoring Kikel’s alleged crimes during his tenure with the RSF.
The statement warned that the conflict is escalating into a full-blown internal war, polarizing Sudanese society along ethnic and tribal lines and threatening to spill over into neighboring South Sudan and Chad.
“Discriminatory violence, hate crimes, and escalating public rhetoric calling for the ‘elimination’ of certain Sudanese citizens based on their race or region of origin…serve as alarming precursors to further atrocity crimes, including genocide,” the groups cautioned.
Calls for action
The rights groups called on governments and other stakeholders to ensure compliance with international law, protect civilians, and denounce discrimination and hate speech.
They urged warring parties to: Cease ethnically motivated attacks, commit to protecting human rights and ensure accountability for perpetrators.
They also called for independent investigations and access for international monitors, including the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan.
The statement recommended that the UN Secretary-General urge the SAF to ensure investigations into events in Wad Madani meet international standards. Additionally, they advised the UN Security Council to convene an urgent session focused on civilian protection in Sudan.
The groups appealed to the UK government, as the penholder on Sudan at the UN Security Council, to champion a resolution prioritizing civilian protection and explore innovative approaches outside the Security Council framework.
Source: Sudan Tribunal
