The Sudanese Alliance for Rights unequivocally denounces the ongoing forced demolition of homes and shops in Gezira State, carried out by state authorities under the guise of legal enforcement. These actions, which began on25 June 2025, follow a public notice issued on19 June 2025 by the Executive Authority for the Protection of Government Lands under the Ministry of Urban Planning, Housing, and Public Utilities in Gezira State.
Despite being framed as a general urban planning measure to remove “illegal structures,” the implementation of this order reveals a disturbing pattern of discriminatory and targeted enforcement. The demolitions have primarily affectedcommunities from Kordofan, Darfur, and Blue Nile, who now face forced displacement, loss of livelihood, and acute vulnerability, amid an already catastrophic humanitarian situation.
Following the Sudanese army’s recent recapture of Gezira State, there has been an alarming rise in hate speech and incitement by local groups identifying as the region’s “original inhabitants.” These groups have openly called for the expulsion of people from historically marginalised regions, falsely accusing them of supporting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). In this context, the demolition campaign appears to serve not administrative aims, but rather a racially and politically motivated agenda that further entrenches exclusion, discrimination, and collective punishment.
Although the official order applies to all residents, its selective enforcement has disproportionately targeted settlements predominantly inhabited by these communities, while sparing others with similar legal status. Many of the affected neighbourhoods have existed for decades with state acquiescence and have benefited from government-approved infrastructure, including schools, mosques, and health centres; a tacit recognition of their legitimacy.
Moreover, the demolitions are being carried out in the rainy season, a time when relocation is nearly impossible, and no mitigation measures or relocation alternatives have been provided. This marks a departure from past practice, where informal settlers were at least offered alternative plots or compensation. The absence of such support at this critical time reflects a deliberate act of reprisal, not policy enforcement.
These acts amount to forced eviction and displacement, violating Sudan’s obligations under:
- Article 29 of Sudan’s Interim Constitution, which protects the right to property and prohibits arbitrary deprivation;
- Article 14 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, guaranteeing the right to property, and Article 18, which protects families;
- The Kampala Convention (to which Sudan is a party), which prohibits arbitrary displacement and mandates protection and assistance to internally displaced persons;
- The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which prohibit discrimination and uphold the right to housing and non-refoulement.
We demand the immediate suspension of the demolition orders and an end to all forced evictions in Gezira State. There must be an independent investigation into the discriminatory targeting and destruction of homes and livelihoods. The government must urgently provide emergency shelter, relocation alternatives, and fair compensation for all affected families. We also call on the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, relevant UN Special Rapporteurs, and humanitarian actors to take swift action to prevent further displacement and ensure the protection of those at risk.
The use of legal instruments to disguise acts of collective punishment and ethnic discrimination cannot be tolerated. These demolitions are not just an abuse of administrative power; They are an assault on the dignity, safety, and belonging of entire communities.
Signed,
Sudanese Alliance for Rights
25 June 2025
