South Sudan summons Sudanese envoy over alleged abuses in Wad Madani

January 15, 2025 (JUBA) – South Sudan summoned Sudan’s ambassador on Wednesday to protest the alleged abuse of its citizens in Wad Madani, a city recently retaken by the Sudanese army, the South Sudanese Foreign Ministry said.

Videos circulating on social media appear to show at least one South Sudanese national being tortured in Wad Madani, the capital of Al Jazirah state. The alleged incident is part of a broader pattern of reported abuses against Sudanese civilians, including extrajudicial killings.

South Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation stated it had summoned Sudanese Ambassador Issam Karrar “to express its deep concern over the recent events following the army’s control of Wad Madani.”

During the meeting, Ambassador John Samuel Bwogo, the ministry’s undersecretary, urged Khartoum to take immediate and effective measures to protect the rights and dignity of all foreign nationals, particularly South Sudanese citizens in Wad Madani and other areas.

The ministry said it had received a detailed report from its embassy in Port Sudan outlining events that resulted in the loss of life “among our innocent citizens.”

The statement demanded a halt to actions that endanger lives, unimpeded access to consular services for South Sudanese citizens, a thorough investigation into the reported incidents, and accountability for the perpetrators. It also requested that the Sudanese government inform the ministry of the investigation’s findings and any actions taken.

The Sudanese government has accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of employing foreign mercenaries, including from South Sudan.

Photos and videos have circulated online showing individuals identified as South Sudanese nationals in RSF uniforms. Many were killed or detained during the ongoing clashes in Al Jazirah.

While acknowledging the complexities of the ongoing conflict, South Sudan’s Foreign Ministry said, “It is imperative to protect innocent civilians, regardless of their nationality, under international standards.”

Juba stressed the paramount importance of the safety and well-being of its Sudanese nationals, adding that it would exert all diplomatic and consular efforts to protect its citizens.

Sudan hosted over a million South Sudanese during the latter’s civil war, granting them freedom of movement, work, and residence. Many have returned home after fighting between the Sudanese army and the RSF in April 2023.