Condemnations pour in after more than 100 killed in Sudan's Gezira

The United Nations, and Sudanese and international organizations and institutions have denounced the recent attack on a village in Sudan’s Gezira state that claimed the lives of more than 100 civilians, calling for an immediate investigation.

Sudan's Transitional Sovereignty Council on Thursday accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of committing a massacre in the village of Wad al-Noura on Wednesday, killing "a large number of innocents."

The RSF, however, said they attacked three camps housing elements of the army and intelligence personnel.

The Sudanese Ministry of Health said the RSF killed civilians in Wad al-Noura village “during its invasion of the area, using heavy weapons against citizens, resulting in a gruesome massacre.”

The ministry strongly condemned "this behavior and genocide against citizens, especially in areas where it is difficult to provide health services even by international and UN organizations, especially for the wounded and those with chronic diseases."

According to the governor of Sudan’s Darfur province, the number of casualties “exceeded 150.”

Minni Arko Minawi also slammed the international silence on the crimes committed by the RSF.

“What does the world expect from these militias (Rapid Support Forces)? And what do supporting countries hope for? And why is the United Nations silent in the face of these crimes committed by countries that are members of it?" Minawi said.

His remarks come as the United Arab Emirates is allegedly backing the paramilitary group battling the Sudanese army, providing it with military and financial aid.

The UAE has denied backing the RSF in its war against the Sudanese government.

The paramilitary attack staged on Wednesday was condemned by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who urged all parties to the war to refrain from assaults that harm civilians.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric on Thursday noted that the Secretary-General also “expresses his deep concern regarding the immense suffering of the Sudanese population as a result of the continued hostilities.”

“He stresses that it is high time for all parties to silence their guns across Sudan and commit to a path towards sustainable peace for the Sudanese people,” the spokesman added.

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Meanwhile, Clementine Nkweta Salami, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, said she was “shocked” by the high number of casualties in Wad al-Noura.

Salami on Thursday called for “a thorough investigation into the circumstances and facts of what happened in Wad al-Noura and for those responsible of crimes to be held accountable.”

In Sudan, the Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces (Taqaddum), led by former prime minister Abdalla Hamdok, also condemned "the violations of the Rapid Support Forces against civilians in Gezira villages."

Meanwhile, the Sudanese rights group Emergency Lawyers described the attack as “a painful example of gross human rights violations.”

“This attack constitutes a serious crime against humanity and a blatant violation of international humanitarian law and international agreements related to the protection of civilians,” it added.

It called on “the international community to fulfill its responsibilities and take urgent action to stop these ongoing violations against civilians in Sudan.”

The RSF has been fighting the army, led by Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan, for control of the North African country since April 15 last year in a war that has killed over 16,000 people and displaced approximately 8.7 million people amid warnings of famine.

Since December 2023, the RSF have captured several cities in Gezira, including the state capital Wad Madani.

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