Al-Burhan forms committee after outrage over Al Jazira killings

JUBA – Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council (TSC) leader and commander-in-chief of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has formed a committee to investigate the killing of civilians – including South Sudanese nationals – in Al Jazirah State.

The SAF announced on January 11 that it had regained control of Wad Madani, the capital of Al Jazirah State, from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) after more than a year of RSF control, which began in December 2023.

However, the SAF’s advance in central Sudan was marred by reports of atrocities, including human rights abuses and the killing of farm workers in the Eastern Al Jazirah locality.

Eyewitnesses told Sudans Post that between January 11 and January 15, at least 27 South Sudanese farm workers were killed by militias allied with the SAF.

The killings sparked widespread outrage, prompting South Sudan’s ministry of foreign affairs to summon the Sudanese ambassador to Juba for an explanation.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Sudanese Armed Forces said al-Burhan had formed a committee to investigate the incidents, with findings expected within a week.

“The Chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, issued a decision today to form a committee to investigate the events that occurred in Kombo Taiba in Al Jazirah State. The committee will be chaired by Mr. Yasser Bashir Al-Bukhari, First Assistant to the Attorney General of the Republic of Sudan, along with other members,” the statement read.

The committee has been tasked with gathering evidence, investigating the incidents at the site, collecting testimonies, and summoning individuals involved and witnesses.

The statement added that the committee must “document all steps and procedures taken during the investigation, prepare a detailed report on the facts and findings, coordinate with governmental, legal, and security authorities, ensure transparency, and provide accurate information to the public.”

The committee is authorized to seek assistance from any relevant individuals and is required to submit its final report within one week.

In a joint press conference on Wednesday following his summon, Sudanese Ambassador to Juba, Isam Mohamed Hassan Karrar, reaffirmed Khartoum’s commitment to international human rights standards.

“I came to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in response to the request from the undersecretary, Amb. John Samuel, to discuss what appeared on social media regarding atrocities against our South Sudanese brothers in El Gazira State after it was recaptured by SAF from RSF,” Mohamed said.

He confirmed that he had informed Shams al-Din al-Kabbashi, a senior member of the Sudan Sovereign Council and deputy commander-in-chief of the Sudanese army, about the disturbing images and videos circulating online.

“The investigative committee is being formed to probe these crimes, and we will arrest whoever is found guilty of committing atrocities against our South Sudanese brothers and even Sudanese civilians in general,” Mohamed said.

He added that the ad-hoc investigative committee had already begun its work on Tuesday.

“The committee has started its work, and I am here to inform the undersecretary of the steps and measures the Sudanese government has taken,” he said.

Mohamed also promised that Sudan’s ministry of foreign affairs would support efforts to allow South Sudan’s ambassador in Port Sudan to visit Wad Madani to assess the situation.

“We will provide necessary support through our Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Port Sudan to enable the ambassador of South Sudan in Sudan to visit Wad Madani and meet with South Sudanese citizens there,” he added.

For his part, South Sudan’s undersecretary of the ministry of foreign affairs, John Samuel, said he summoned the Sudanese envoy to express Juba’s concern over the brutal killings of its citizens.

“We were supposed to have had this discussion yesterday, but we waited until we received a comprehensive report from our embassy in Port Sudan detailing the atrocities that led to the deaths of South Sudanese citizens in Madani and surrounding areas,” Samuel said.

He urged the Sudanese government to grant South Sudanese officials consular access to investigate the situation on the ground.

“We requested consular services so we can visit the affected areas in Al Jazirah, meet with South Sudanese citizens in Madani, and gather the facts,” he said.

Samuel also called on South Sudanese citizens in Sudan to remain vigilant and avoid unnecessary movements.

“We have tasked Sudanese authorities to thoroughly investigate what happened, not only in Madani but in all other areas recently retaken by the army. The government must protect all civilians under its control—not only Sudanese citizens but others as well,” he said.