Call to End Ethnic Targeting in Sudan’s El Gezira: International Civil Society’s Appeal
A coalition of 21 international civil society organizations urges the Sudanese Armed Forces and allied militias to stop ethnic targeting in El Gezira. They highlight atrocities against Kanabi communities, including killings and destruction of agricultural camps, calling for global intervention to prevent potential genocide and ensure accountability for the perpetrators.
A coalition of 21 accredited international civil society organizations has issued an urgent appeal for an end to ethnic targeting in El Gezira, Sudan. This request is directed towards the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and their associated militias, urging them to cease ethnically motivated killings, enforced disappearances, and the destruction of agricultural camps where many ethnic groups from Darfur and Kordofan have historically worked since the 1920s. The joint statement emphasizes the dire circumstances facing the residents of these camps, locally known as Kanabi, due to increasing violence and human rights abuses.
In their statement, the organizations highlight the systematic and targeted nature of the violence against Kanabi communities, describing it as an ethnic cleansing campaign that predominantly affects civilians, particularly agricultural workers from diverse ethnic backgrounds. Many of these individuals have roots in the colonial era, where they were encouraged to settle and cultivate the land in El Gezira. The groups are alarmed by recent attacks that have left countless victims vulnerable and displaced.
Reports indicate that in January 2025, a significant number of camps were either destroyed or burned, leading to severe humanitarian crises. More than 160 camps were reported as being destroyed, with inhabitants suffering from theft of valuables and livestock, while stored food supplies were also looted. As a result, victims have been forced to flee to various towns, rendered impoverished by the violence.
The coalition holds the SAF and allied militia groups accountable for the atrocities committed against the residents of these agricultural camps. They call on the African Union and UN entities to investigate the violence inflicted upon these communities to assess the potential for genocide if such acts continue unaddressed. Furthermore, there are demands for the disbandment of tribal militia groups, the protection of all civilians by the army, and accountability for those inciting racial hatred and violence.
The Sudan Shield Forces and the SAF have yet to respond to these allegations, and prior engagements have seen limited communication from these groups regarding military operations. In response to the escalating violence, the coalition urges for immediate action to protect vulnerable populations in El Gezira and instill accountability for those responsible for human rights violations.
In conclusion, the international civil society coalition has raised critical concerns regarding the ethnic targeting of agricultural workers in El Gezira, Sudan. By highlighting the escalating violence and human rights violations, they call for urgent intervention by global organizations to prevent potential genocide. The emphasis on accountability and the protection of civilians is imperative for safeguarding marginalized communities affected by this conflict.
Original Source: www.dabangasudan.org
