A civil society activist on Thursday called on the International Community, the African Union, and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to hold the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) accountable for killing innocent South Sudanese citizens in Sudan`s Gezira State.
Ter Manyang Gatwech, the Executive Director of the Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA), condemned the killing of the South Sudanese, saying it is unacceptable under international law.
“The killing of innocent South Sudanese citizens is unacceptable under international humanitarian law, international human rights law, and international law. Both SAF and RSF must be held accountable by the international community, the African Union, and IGAD,” he said. “Since the conflict began in 2023, many undocumented South Sudanese citizens have been killed in Sudan according to credible sources obtained by CPA. Despite this, South Sudan is hosting hundreds of thousands of refugees from Sudan. Their professors are working, Sudanese students are studying at various public universities in South Sudan, and Sudanese citizens are engaged in business across the country (South Sudan).”
The activist said the Government of South Sudan must protect its citizens at all costs, and any functioning government must safeguard its citizens from external threats. He said the CPA will launch a two-month advocacy campaign to engage officials from the Sudanese Embassy in Juba and lobby IGAD members to hold Sudan accountable for its illegal actions against South Sudanese citizens.
“CPA reminds the Government of South Sudan that South Sudanese people deserve respect in accordance with international humanitarian law and international human rights law governing international treaties,” he noted.
On Wednesday, the South Sudan Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Sudanese Ambassador, Isam Mohamed Hassan, to explain the circumstances in Wad Madani of El Jazirah State following the takeover from the Rapid Support Forces.
There have been viral videos and photos circulating online that detail some of the killings of South Sudanese in Wad Madani who were slaughtered, shot, and tortured.
The Sudanese Embassy in Juba said a committee has been formed to investigate the killings to bring the perpetrators to account.