Tensions Rise Between South Sudan and Sudan Following Civilian Massacres
On January 16, riots erupted in Juba, South Sudan, after South Sudanese citizens protested the massacre of their compatriots in Sudan. The unrest involved looting and attacks on the Sudanese embassy, culminating in the death of a diplomat. The violence stems from escalating tensions following the recapture of Wad Madani by Sudanese forces, and the US has applied sanctions against key military leaders for their roles in these atrocities.
Riots erupted in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, on January 16, as demonstrators protested the massacre of South Sudanese citizens in neighboring Sudan. Amid the unrest, some individuals looted shops owned by Sudanese citizens and attacked the Sudanese embassy, resulting in the death of a diplomat. Police responded by firing shots into the air to disperse the crowd.
The violence was sparked by news regarding the slaughter of civilians, including South Sudanese nationals, following the Sudanese Armed Forces’ recapture of Wad Madani on January 11 from the Rapid Support Forces. Videos depicting atrocities committed by Sudanese soldiers fueled public anger, prompting the South Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to formally summon the Sudanese ambassador to express its outrage at the “loss of lives of innocent citizens.”
The Sudanese government has established an inquiry commission regarding the Wad Madani massacres. The Sudanese ambassador asserted that human rights violations were perpetrated by a militia tied to the army rather than by regular soldiers. A spokesperson for the SAF acknowledged that “violations committed by some individuals” had occurred during the operation.
Previously deemed a secure location, Wad Madani attracted many refugees fleeing conflict elsewhere in Sudan. However, following its recapture by the SAF, these individuals have found themselves trapped within the city, amidst ongoing human rights abuses perpetrated by various factions involved in the Sudanese conflict.
In response to these human rights violations, the US government has enacted sanctions on both RSF leader Mohammad Hamdan Dagalo Mousa and SAF commander General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan. Additionally, sanctions were imposed on Ahmad Abdalla, a Sudanese-Ukrainian businessman linked to the military-industrial sector, for violating the UN arms embargo concerning Sudanese factions.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has seen a brutal resurgence, particularly with the recapture of Wad Madani by the Sudanese Armed Forces. Amid this turmoil, civilian populations, particularly South Sudanese refugees who had sought safety in Wad Madani, have faced extreme violence. Tensions between South Sudan and Sudan have intensified due to accusations surrounding human rights violations and civilian massacres, prompting international scrutiny and condemnation.
In conclusion, the situation in South Sudan and Sudan remains dire as tensions escalate following violent incidents and civilian massacres. The international community, particularly the US, has begun imposing sanctions against key military leaders implicated in these abuses. As violence persists, the plight of civilians caught in this conflict highlights the urgent need for accountability and resolution of human rights violations.
Original Source: www.fides.org
