BY JWOTHAB OTHOW
The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) has committed war crimes and crimes against humanity against South Sudanese refugees in various locations across Sudan, including Wad Madeni. We strongly condemn these barbaric acts perpetrated by the SAF against South Sudanese refugee civilians in Wad Madeni.
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 SAF. The Sudanese army 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.
Unfortunately, the SAF has committed horrendous crimes by massacring South Sudanese refugees in Wad Madeni after seizing control of the town from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on 11 January. 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 against South Sudanese civilians in Wad Madeni. These 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 refugees have been executed by the SAF.
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 civilians who have been slaughtered by his army forces in Wad Madeni.
President Salva 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 for the sake of the South Sudanese refugees who have been massacred in Wad Madeni and throughout Sudan. Two months ago, a Sudanese warplane conducted 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 Madeni against South Sudanese refugees.
We strongly condemn these barbaric acts by the SAF against South Sudanese refugees in Madeni. May God bless the Republic of South Sudan and the people of South Sudan.
The writer is a South Sudanese activist and a critic of the country’s authoritarian regime.
The views expressed in ‘opinion’ articles published by Radio Tamazuj are solely those of the writer. The veracity of any claims made is the responsibility of the author, not Radio Tamazuj.