The Sudanese Alliance for Rights condemns, in the strongest and most unequivocal terms, the horrific massacre of civilians in Al-Jazira State, which began on 11 January 2025. Following the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) withdrawal from the region, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and their allies entered the state. They unleashed an appalling, indiscriminate assault on the local population. The violence, driven by deeply racist motives, saw civilians brutally killed and burned alive inside their homes under baseless accusations of supporting the RSF.
From the reports we received, most of the crimes were committed by the SAF and its allies, especially Islamic groups. Victims were specifically targeted because they were from the Darfur region. This deliberate and discriminatory targeting of Darfurians is a stark reminder of the ongoing racial violence that continues to plague Sudan.
The images and videos emerging from the region are nothing short of horrifying—graphic depictions of human suffering and terror. The brutality of these attacks is unfathomable, with the murder of at least 128 innocent people and the wounding of dozens more. This is not only an unspeakable crime against humanity, but a blatant violation of every principle of decency and respect for human life.
This massacre is a gross violation of Sudanese and international laws, including • Sudan’s Constitutional Bill of Rights (2019), which guarantees the right to life, security, and personal freedom, as well as protection from discrimination. • The Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocols (1977), which categorically prohibit the targeting of civilians and the use of indiscriminate violence in conflict zones. • International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law, particularly those prohibiting crimes against humanity such as murder, enslavement, and persecution based on race, ethnicity, or political affiliation. • The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which specifically addresses war crimes and crimes against humanity, including the deliberate targeting of civilians and acts of racial violence.
The Sudanese Alliance for Rights demands:
- Immediate cessation of violence in Al-Jazira State and all affected regions, and the protection of civilians from further harm.
- An independent, transparent investigation into these brutal crimes, with swift accountability and justice for the perpetrators.
- International intervention to halt the ongoing atrocities, uphold Sudan’s obligations under international law, and ensure that such acts of terror are not allowed to continue.
We stand in unwavering solidarity with the victims and their families, and we reaffirm our commitment to fighting for justice, peace, and the protection of all Sudanese civilians. The attack on Al-Jazira State is a despicable chapter in Sudan’s history, one that we cannot allow to be ignored. We demand that the international community act swiftly and decisively to ensure justice is served and to prevent further atrocities.
The people of Sudan have suffered far too long under a brutal regime. It is time for this senseless violence to end.
Sincerely,
Sudanese Alliance for Rights
Date: 14 January 2025
