The Sudanese Alliance for Rights (SAR) condemns the reported killing of Mohamed Nour Salem Al-Nadheef, a civilian who was reportedly shot dead during an armed robbery in Jaghab village, south of Al-Nuhud city in West Kordofan State, on 23 October 2026.
According to reports by Darfur24, Al-Nadheef was among civilians returning from the weekly market in Salami village when an armed force travelling in a pickup truck reportedly intercepted them and attempted to rob them. The armed men were reportedly wearing Rapid Support Forces (RSF) uniforms. When Al-Nadheef resisted the robbery, the men reportedly opened fire on him, killing him at the scene.
SAR is deeply concerned by the continued attacks on civilians travelling between villages and markets in West Kordofan. Civilians should be able to travel to obtain food and other essential goods without facing armed robbery, abduction, injury or death. The persistence of such attacks threatens not only civilian lives but also access to markets, livelihoods and essential supplies in communities already facing severe insecurity and humanitarian pressures.
The reported killing also comes amid repeated reports of insecurity along rural roads and around communities in Al-Nuhud locality. Earlier incidents reportedly involved armed groups intercepting civilians travelling between villages, robbing them of their belongings and, in some cases, shooting and injuring victims. On 22 October, six civilians were also reportedly abducted from Al-Sharati village in Al-Nuhud locality by an armed force reported to be affiliated with the RSF. Taken together, these incidents point to continuing risks faced by civilians moving through rural areas of West Kordofan.
The reported circumstances surrounding Al-Nadheef’s killing raise serious concerns under international humanitarian law. Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions prohibits murder and violence against persons taking no active part in hostilities. Civilians must be protected from violence, while their property must not be unlawfully taken or destroyed. Where such acts are committed in connection with an armed conflict, they may constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law and, where the relevant legal elements are established, war crimes.
SAR stresses that the reported use of RSF uniforms does not, by itself, establish the identity or responsibility of the perpetrators. The circumstances of the attack, including the identity and affiliation of those involved, must be established through an independent and impartial investigation based on credible evidence.
SAR calls for an immediate, independent and impartial investigation into the killing of Mohamed Nour Salem Al-Nadheef, including the reported robbery, the circumstances in which firearms were used against civilians, and the identity and affiliation of those responsible. Any person found responsible must be held accountable in accordance with applicable Sudanese and international law.
SAR further calls on all parties and armed actors operating in West Kordofan to take immediate measures to protect civilians travelling between villages and markets and to prevent further attacks, robberies and abductions. Authorities and actors with control or influence in the area must strengthen civilian protection along rural routes and ensure that communities can safely access markets and sustain their livelihoods.
The repeated attacks on civilians travelling through rural areas require urgent attention from humanitarian and protection actors. Safe civilian movement and access to markets are essential to preventing further deterioration of the humanitarian situation in West Kordofan.
SAR urges all parties and armed actors to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law and to take concrete steps to protect civilians and civilian property from further violence.
Sudanese Alliance for Rights (SAR),
28 October 2026