On the Violations and Crimes Attributed to Army Forces in Al-Jazirah State

On the Violations and Crimes Attributed to Army Forces in Al-Jazirah State

On January 11, 2024, Sudanese Armed Forces regained control of Wad Madani, liberating the city from the grip of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia. In the days that followed, however, reports emerged of heinous violations targeting unarmed civilians in the Kanabi areas of Al-Jazirah. These acts, which included extrajudicial killings and executions, constitute crimes that rise to the level of war crimes.

At a time when the Sudanese people were celebrating the victories of the armed forces and hoping for an end to the atrocities and massacres perpetrated by the RSF during its control of Al-Jazirah, hopes also rose for a safe return to stability and the restoration of the social fabric. This social cohesion has been under attack by the RSF, which seeks to transform the war into an ethnic and regional conflict. However, the shocking news of these heinous crimes has deeply disturbed the hearts and minds of our people.

These crimes cannot be ignored and demand immediate accountability. What happened to the unarmed civilians in the Kanabi areas must not go unpunished. Ignoring such violations and allowing impunity will only further fuel the flames of war and serve the interests of those aiming to escalate the conflict into a divisive regional and ethnic struggle, threatening the unity of the country.

At Fikra for Studies and Development, we strongly condemn these violations and demand swift and fair accountability for all those involved. While we acknowledge the statement issued by the Sudanese Armed Forces condemning these crimes, we emphasize the need for military leadership to assume its legal and moral responsibilities. We call for the immediate apprehension of those involved and for their transparent and public prosecution.

Furthermore, we urge the prompt deployment of police forces and civilian law enforcement agencies to all liberated areas. It is essential to separate regular and volunteer military personnel from direct interactions with civilians, ensuring that such interactions are governed by the rule of law and its effective and just enforcement.