Rights groups warn of ‘genocidal violence’ risk in Sudan, urge action
January 23, 2025 (LONDON) – Twenty human rights groups warned on Monday 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, the Sudanese and international organizations expressed deep concern over reported 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 Jan. 10.
The groups said the violence targeted specific ethnic groups based on their alleged collaboration with the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF). They cited reports and video footage documenting “horrific acts”, including apparent 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 said.
The rights groups said residents of camps in Al Jazirah state were particularly targeted, with patterns of violence suggesting “deliberate and systematic destruction of their homes and livelihoods.” They cited reports of “death squads” affiliated with the SAF, the Sudan Shield Forces, and other allied militia targeting civilians based on their ethnic origin, skin colour, and ties to Darfur, Kordofan, South Sudan, and other regions.
The victims, according to the statement, are mostly agricultural workers belonging to ethnic groups such as the Tama, Misseriya, Fur, Zaghawa, and Massalit. The groups said perpetrators often accuse these groups of being the social support base or “collaborators” of the RSF, claims the rights organizations say lack credibility.
Since the outbreak of conflict 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, the statement added.
The rights groups also highlighted the RSF’s history of abuses in Al Jazirah, particularly after the defection of former RSF commander Abu-Agla Kikel to the SAF in October 2024. They criticized SAF leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan for ignoring Kikel’s alleged crimes while he was an RSF leader.
The statement warned that the conflict, which has already implicated both the RSF and SAF in numerous international crimes, is escalating into a full-blown internal war that could further polarize Sudanese people along ethnic and tribal lines and spill over into neighbouring 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 warned.
Calls for action
The rights groups called on states and other actors to ensure warring parties comply with international law, protect civilians, and condemn discrimination and hate speech.
They urged all warring parties to respect Sudan’s obligations under international humanitarian law, 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 urged the UN Secretary-General to call on the SAF to ensure any investigations into recent events in Wad Madani meet international standards and advised the UN Security Council to hold an urgent session on the protection of civilians in Sudan.
The groups also called on the UK government, as penholder on Sudan at the UN Security Council, to push for a resolution focusing on the protection of civilians and to explore innovative approaches to civilian protection beyond the Security Council framework.