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Khartoum, Sudan ā The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has voiced alarm over what he termed “credible reports” of unlawful killings of civilians by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) following their recent recapture of the capital, Khartoum. This development underscores escalating concerns amidst the ongoing Sudan conflict and alleged human rights abuses.
UN Rights Chief Calls for Probe into Alleged Khartoum Killings
Volker TĆ¼rk, the UN rights chief, issued a statement advocating for a thorough investigation into these grave accusations. He conveyed his apprehension regarding “credible reports of numerous instances of summary executions of civilians in various districts of Khartoum,” purportedly based on suspicions of collaboration with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Videos Circulating Online Spark Concerns
Footage purportedly depicting the killings of civilians by armed individuals in and around Khartoum has been widely shared on social media platforms for several days. While the BBC has not yet independently authenticated these videos, the UN Human Rights Office stated that it considers the footage to offer credible evidence of potential violations.
The Sudanese Armed Forces have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding these allegations.
“Horrific Videos” Depicting Summary Executions
Mr. TĆ¼rk noted that his office had examined “multiple horrific videos displaying armed individuals summarily executing civilians in cold blood, frequently in public areas.” He added that in some videos, the perpetrators explicitly stated they were punishing individuals believed to be RSF sympathizers. The conflict between the army and the RSF has persisted for two years, precipitating a severe humanitarian crisis.
“I implore the commanders of the Sudanese Armed Forces to implement immediate measures to halt the arbitrary deprivation of life,” Mr. TĆ¼rk urged, emphasizing that “extrajudicial killings constitute serious breaches of international human rights and humanitarian law.”
“Individual perpetrators, as well as those in positions of command responsibility, must be held accountable for such unacceptable actions under international criminal law,” he asserted.
Prior Accusations of Rights Violations
Sudan’s army and affiliated militias have previously faced accusations of human rights violations in regions retaken from the RSF, including Sennar, Gezira, and parts of North Kordofan states.
In January, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the army chief, established a committee to investigate alleged abuses in Wad Medani, the capital of Gezira state. However, the committee’s findings have not yet been disclosed publicly.
The United States imposed sanctions on Gen Burhan in response to the allegations in Wad Madani.
RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo has also been subjected to sanctions for alleged war crimes committed during the brutal conflict.
His forces have been accused of detaining, torturing, and executing individuals suspected of army sympathies, as well as perpetrating ethnic killings in the Darfur region.
The army has previously condemned “individual” violations by soldiers when faced with accusations of human rights abuses.
Recent BBC reports have highlighted the extensive destruction in Khartoum. The RSF held control of the city for nearly two years before the army’s recent offensive resulted in its recapture last month.
The RSF has declared its intent to continue fighting, threatening to open new fronts in the country’s north.
Further Coverage of Sudan’s Civil War
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