The Sudanese Alliance for Rights strongly condemns the ongoing atrocities committed against the people of Al-Kanabi in Al-Jazeera State, Central Sudan on ethnic grounds. We denounce the killings, executions, forced disappearances, and the deliberate burning of homes and farms, which have been carried out by tribal militias affiliated with the Sudanese Armed Forces, including the Al-Butana Shield Forces and Al-Zubair bin Al-Awam Brigade. These forces, formed on racial grounds, are systematically targeting the people of Al-Kanabi with the tacit approval and complicity of the de facto government in Port Sudan.
Furthermore, we strongly condemn the escalation of hate speech and incitement against the people of Al-Kanabi, which is being propagated across Al-Jazeera State by community leaders, high-ranking officials, and military personnel. Such incitement not only fuels violence but also deepens ethnic divisions and legitimizes atrocities against innocent civilians.
These grave human rights violations constitute crimes against humanity, war crimes, and acts of ethnic persecution, which violate fundamental international legal frameworks, including the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) (1998), which defines these acts as crimes against humanity under Articles 7(1)(a), (d), (h), and (k), as well as war crimes under Article 8. The International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (1965) is also being violated, particularly Articles 2 and 4, which prohibit racial discrimination and the incitement of ethnic hatred. Additionally, these acts contravene the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (1984) Article 2, which mandates state accountability in preventing such crimes. The Geneva Conventions (1949) and Additional Protocols prohibit violence against civilians in internal armed conflicts under Common Article 3, while the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) affirms the right to life (Article 3), the right to be free from arbitrary detention (Article 9), and the right to security (Article 5), all of which are being systematically violated.
Given the gravity of these violations, the Sudanese Alliance for Rights calls for an urgent independent international investigation into the killings, disappearances, and destruction in Al-Kanabi, with full accountability for all perpetrators. The violence must cease immediately, and all armed tribal militias must be disbanded, with neutral peacekeeping forces deployed to protect civilians. Hate speech and incitement must be curbed through legal action against those responsible for fueling ethnic violence. The United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), and human rights organizations must intervene to ensure justice and protection for the affected communities. Targeted sanctions should be imposed on individuals and entities responsible for orchestrating and enabling these crimes, including military leaders and political figures complicit in ethnic persecution.
The world must not remain silent as ethnic violence and impunity continue in Sudan. The people of Al-Kanabi deserve justice, protection, and the right to live in peace.
Sudanese Alliance for Rights14 March 2025