By William Madouk
Sudan Ambassador to South Sudan has revealed that his government is investigating the alleged killings of South Sudanese refugees in Wad-Madani by the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF).
This came after several disturbing videos circulating on social media showed Sudanese Armed Forces [SAF] killings, slaughtering, and arbitrarily arresting defenceless civilians in the agricultural schemes of El Gazira State.
In a joint press conference yesterday, Sudanese envoy to Juba, Amb. Lt-Gen Isam Mohamed Hassan Karrar reiterated the Sudanese government’s commitment to international human rights laws, stating that a committee has been formed to look into the cases.
“I came to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in response to the request from the undersecretary Amb. John Samuel to discuss what appeared in social media in regard to atrocities that happened to our South Sudanese brothers in El Gazira State after being recaptured by SAF from RSF,” said Karrar.
The Sudanese envoy added that he contacted Lt-Gen Shams Al-din al Kabbashi, who is a member of Sudan Sovereign Council and deputy of C-I-C over disturbing images and videos.
“The investigative committee is been formed to probe into these crimes and we will arrest whoever was found guilty of these atrocities toward our South Sudanese brothers and even against Sudanese in general,” he revealed.
“The committee has commenced their work since yesterday and I am here to inform the undersecretary of steps and measures that the Sudan government has taken,” he stressed.
Mr. Karrar further highlighted that Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs would give necessary support to allow South Sudanese ambassador in Port-Sudan to visit Madani and assist with the situation.
“We will also give vital support through our ministry of foreign affairs in Port Sudan to enable the ambassador of South Sudan in Sudan to visit Wad-Madani to assist the situation by himself, and get in touch with South Sudanese there,” he said.
For his party undersecretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. John Samuel said he summoned the Sudanese envoy in order to get questions and understand what transpired in Madani.
“We are supposed to have shared what we shared this evening, yesterday, but we waited until we received a comprehensive report from our embassy in post-Sudan that detailed some of the atrocities, some of the action that led to loss of life of some South Sudanese citizens in Medeni and in the surrounding areas,” he said.
The Undersecretary added that they have requested the Sudanese authority to allow them to visit Madani.
“We requested that we be given consular service so that we can go and visit the people, the area in Jazira. Get into contact with the South Sudanese people who are there in Medeni so that we can get the facts,” he said.
“We gave the authorities in Sudan to investigate thoroughly what has happened, not only with Medeni but in all the other areas that have been liberated by the army because this is the government and they are protecting any citizen in the areas they are, not only the Sudanese but other people,”
Amb. Samuel urged the citizens to remain calm and allow the investigation to finish. He also urged South Sudanese in Sudan to remain vigilant, avoid unnecessary movement and remain indoors.
Condemnation.
Refugees Rights Watch (RRW) South Sudan has strongly condemned alleged human rights violations committed against South Sudanese refugees.
However, the incidents have sparked widespread condemnation on social media, with many South Sudanese citizens criticizing the government in Juba for its perceived inaction.
In a wake-up call, the civil society group in a letter dated January 15th, 2025, raised alarm over a report indicating mistreatment of the South Sudanese refugees by the forces in Sudan.
According to the Refugees Rights Watch (RRW), South Sudanese refugees in the city of Madani continue to face arbitrary arrests, torture, and killings.
“Refugees Rights Watch strongly condemns the grave violations committed by the Sudanese Army Forces against South Sudanese refugees in the city of Madani. Reports indicate acts of killings, slaughter, and arbitrary arrests targeting defenceless civilians engaged in marginal jobs after they were stranded and unable to return to their homeland,” the statement partly read.
The civil society expressed deep concern regarding credible reports of human rights violations, which constitute a blatant breach of international humanitarian law and refugee protection agreements.
The group called for an immediate cessation of violence and called on Sudanese parties in conflict to respect and protect human rights.
“We call on the Sudanese authorities to halt all forms of violence and assaults against refugees and ensure the protection of their human rights,” the statement read.
The group called for an investigation to identify those responsible for committing human rights abuses and make sure they are held accountable.
“We demand the initiation of an independent international investigation to identify those responsible for these crimes and hold them accountable.” it read
“We urge the international community and humanitarian organizations to intervene urgently to provide protection and humanitarian assistance to refugees in Sudan.” it read
The civil society group called for urgent plans to enable refugees to voluntarily and safely return to South Sudan or provide secure asylum alternatives.
“Targeting refugees who fled the horrors of war and conflict in search of safety is a flagrant violation of humanitarian principles and places the lives of thousands of innocent people at risk,” it stated.