Statement by the Sudanese Alliance for Rights: On the Forced Displacement and Targeted Attacks Against the Hawazma Tribe in South Kordofan

The Sudanese Alliance for Rights (SAR) unequivocally condemns the ongoing acts of forced displacement, killings, sexual violence, and looting perpetrated against members of the Hawazma tribe in South Kordofan State by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and their allied groups.

Since the escalation of conflict between the SAF and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on 13 May 2025, the SAF has deployed across several villages including; Al-Hamadi, Khor Al-Dalaib, Umm Bermbeita, Abu Karshola, Kaloqi, Kadugli, and Dalang—where its forces have committed grave human rights violations against civilians of the Hawazma tribe. These include extrajudicial killings, rape, theft of property, and the systematic destruction of livelihoods. These violations have now extended to urban areas, where residents are being forcibly evicted from their homes through threats, hate speech, and intimidation, often carried out in collaboration with rival tribal factions.

The targeting of the Hawazma tribe accused without evidence of supporting the RSF amounts to collective punishment of an ethnic group, in clear violation of Sudanese constitutional protections and international legal obligations. The victims of these attacks are civilians with no proven links to armed groups. These acts constitute a clear breach of:

• Article 7 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which classifies forced displacement, murder, rape, and persecution on ethnic grounds as crimes against humanity.
• The Geneva Conventions, which prohibit violence against civilians and the forced displacement of populations not justified by imperative military necessity.
• The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which guarantees the right to life, dignity, and protection from discrimination.
• The Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, which affirm that internally displaced persons are entitled to protection against arbitrary displacement and to return to their homes in safety and dignity.

We call for the following immediate actions:

1. An independent, international investigation into the violations committed against the Hawazma community, with a view toward accountability for perpetrators and justice for victims.
2. Immediate cessation of hostilities and targeted attacks by SAF and allied groups in South Kordofan, with full respect for the protection of civilians.
3. Urgent humanitarian access to affected areas to provide relief, protection, and support to displaced persons, particularly women and children.
4. A robust response by the international community, including the African Union, United Nations, and relevant regional bodies, to exert pressure on the Sudanese government to end these abuses and uphold its obligations under international law.

The Sudanese Alliance for Rights stands in solidarity with the victims and survivors of these heinous acts. We reaffirm our commitment to justice, peace, and the protection of all Sudanese citizens—regardless of ethnicity, political affiliation, or location. The forced displacement of the Hawazma community is a grave injustice that must not be ignored.

Sudanese Alliance for Rights
26 May 2025