Wednesday, October 2, 2024

Sudan Tribune

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Sudanese army accused of executing civilians in Khartoum Bahri

Sudanese army forces in inspect a neighbourhood in Khartoum Bahri

Sudanese army forces in inspect a neighbourhood in Khartoum Bahri

October 1, 2024 (KHARTOUM) – Sudanese political groups and armed groups condemned the army on Tuesday for the alleged execution of dozens of civilians in the city of Bahri, north of Khartoum. The victims were accused of collaborating with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

A widely circulated video appears to show individuals in army uniforms and civilian clothing killing young men in the Al-Halfaya suburb, an area recently seized by the army.

A video circulating on social media appears to show individuals in army uniforms and civilian clothes killing a group of young men in the Al-Halfaya suburb. The army recently seized the area after launching an offensive from its bases north of Omdurman.

The National Umma Party issued a statement condemning the “heinous crime” and calling on the army to respect international humanitarian law and ensure accountability. The party stated that the killings constitute a “black mark” on the armed forces, who are responsible for protecting civilians.

The opposition Beja Congress Party accused the “Al-Baraa bin Malik” battalion, which fights alongside the army, of carrying out the executions. The party described the killings as “barbaric acts” and called for an independent international investigation.

Bakry Eljack, spokesperson for the Coordination of Civilian Democratic Forces “Tagadum,” urged legal action against the perpetrators and criticized previous instances of investigations into abuses that were promised but not carried out.

“What happened is a full-fledged war crime, and justice will reach all those who committed and incited it,” Eljack said.

He called on both the army and the RSF to adhere to international humanitarian law and stop attacking civilians.

The spokesperson for the Justice and Equality Movement, Suleiman Sandal faction, said that the victims were executed without a fair trial.

“There are no accusations, only executions and liquidations in a manner that reflects abhorrent racism,” he said.

The incident occurred after the army launched a major offensive on Sept. 26 to retake areas controlled by the RSF in Bahri.