Sudanese army condemns “excesses” by troops in Al Jazirah state
January 14, 2025 (WAD MADANI) – The Sudanese army on Tuesday condemned what it called “excesses” committed by some of its troops against residents of the al-Kanabi area in Al Jazirah state, following accusations of violence against civilians.
On Monday, political groups, rights activists and armed factions accused the army and allied forces of killing 13 civilians and detaining women in al-Kanabi. They alleged these actions were part of a campaign targeting certain ethnic groups.
Videos circulating online appear to show individuals in army uniforms and civilian clothes committing abuses against residents of Wad Madani, the state capital. The residents were accused of collaborating with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group the army has been fighting for months.
“The armed forces condemn the individual excesses that occurred recently in some areas of Al Jazirah state after the liberation of Wad Madani,” an army spokesperson said in a statement seen by Sudan Tribune.
The army said it was committed to international law and would hold accountable anyone involved in abuses against civilians in al-Kanabi and elsewhere in the state. It said it was monitoring the security situation in coordination with local authorities.
The statement added that the army was committed to securing all areas and preventing “opportunistic elements” from exploiting any incidents to discredit the armed forces while ignoring “the ongoing and horrific war crimes committed by the terrorist militia of the al-Daqlu family against civilians.”
The alleged abuses occurred shortly after the army said it had taken control of Wad Madani and other areas from the RSF.
Some activists in Al Jazirah accuse al-Kanabi residents, who are largely from ethnic groups that have settled in informal settlements on the outskirts of the Gezira irrigation project, of participating in revenge attacks alongside the RSF.
Al-Kanabi committee
The al-Kanabi committee had issued an urgent appeal to the Sudanese Armed Forces, demanding to protect civilians, particularly the residents of the areas who are reportedly facing grave human rights abuses.
The committee alleges these abuses include acts of genocide, crimes against humanity, and ethnic cleansing, underscoring the critical need for immediate intervention by the army.
The committee directly accuses the Sudanese army of responsibility for the alleged violence against the al-Kanabi people. It insists these crimes will not go unpunished and demands a thorough investigation and prosecution of those responsible.