The SAF has committed barbaric atrocities against South Sudanese refugees in Wad Medani

Sudan Map (Skynews)

January 15, 2025

By Jwothab Othow

The Sudanese Army Forces (SAF) has committed war crimes and crimes against humanity against South Sudanese refugees in various locations across Sudan, including Wad Medani. We strongly condemn these barbaric acts perpetrated by the Sudanese Army Forces against South Sudanese refugee civilians in Wad Medani. The UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan has expressed deep concern over the killing of civilians, particularly South Sudanese refugees, in Al Jazirah State, following the actions of the Sudanese Army Forces. The SAF will be held accountable for their violations of international humanitarian law, which mandates the protection of civilians during armed conflicts. We urge the UN Security Council to hold General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the SAF responsible for the war crimes and crimes against humanity committed against South Sudanese refugees in Wad Medani.

It is extremely unfortunate that the SAF has committed horrendous crimes by massacring South Sudanese refugees in Wad Medani after seizing control from the RSF. General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the military commander and de facto leader of Sudan, will face criminal liability for the actions of the Sudanese Army Forces against South Sudanese refugee civilians in Wad Medani. These acts and the inhumane crimes committed by the SAF against South Sudanese civilians in Sudan are unacceptable. The SAF’s massacre of South Sudanese civilians in Wad Medani amounts to crimes against humanity. Even the UN in Sudan has confirmed that South Sudanese refugee civilians have been executed by the Sudanese Army Forces after the SAF took control of Wad Medani from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who is well aware of the weak government in South Sudan, shows no concern for the well-being of South Sudanese refugee civilians who have been slaughtered by his army forces in Wad Medani. President Kiir is a cowardly dictator who only exercises power against the impoverished people of South Sudan and lacks the courage to confront General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan’s army forces for the sake of the South Sudanese refugee civilians who have been massacred in Wad Medani and throughout Sudan. Two months ago, a Sudanese warplane conducted an indiscriminate bombardment near the border of Renk, resulting in the tragic loss of several civilian lives. These actions constitute human rights violations and crimes against humanity committed by the SAF in Wad Medani against South Sudanese refugees. We strongly condemn these barbaric acts by the SAF against South Sudanese refugees in Medani. The author, Jwothab Othow, a citizen of South Sudan, an activist and a critic of South Sudan’s authoritarian regime. May God bless the Republic of South Sudan and the people of South Sudan.