Sudans leaders urge calm as Gezira killings spark riots in Juba

Salva Kiir

South Sudan's President Salva Kiir.

Photo credit: Reuters

A video showing a South Sudanese people being tortured by men in Sudanese military uniform has caused unusual tension between the peoples of the two Sudans, forcing leaders to intervene.

President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Thursday night urged calm after widespread vandalism and looting of Sudanese-owned shops in Juba. 

The unrest, characterised by disorganised overnight protests, erupted after a video surfaced online showing the killing of supposed South Sudanese nationals in Wad Madani, Gezira State, Sudan.

The killings were allegedly carried out by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) after recapturing the city from the opposition Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The incident sparked outrage among South Sudanese citizens both at home and abroad.

Wad Madani, located about 140km south of Khartoum, had been under RSF control for about a year before being retaken by the military last Saturday. RSF too, was accused of atrocities. Now both sides of the war have been sanctioned for overseeing violence on civilians.

In a press statement issued Thursday night, President Kiir, through his Press Secretary Lilly Adhieu, expressed his profound sorrow over the incident and condemned the killings.

“On behalf of His Excellency, President Salva Kiir Mayardit, we are deeply distressed and saddened by the recent barbaric killings of innocent South Sudanese civilians by Sudanese armed forces. As we all know, many South Sudanese still consider Sudan home due to our shared history and continued sisterly engagements. However, such acts of violence against civilians are wholly unacceptable. Our citizens trapped in war zones in Sudan are entitled to protection under the Geneva Convention, which the warring parties are obligated to uphold. I want to assure you that His Excellency the President, along with the government of South Sudan, is taking swift and decisive action in response to these tragic events,” Adhieu said.

She said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had summoned the Sudanese Ambassador to Juba and initiated diplomatic consultations to hold those responsible for the killings accountable under international law.

President Kiir also appealed for restraint among South Sudanese, urging them not to retaliate against Sudanese traders and refugees residing in South Sudan. 

“It is crucial that we do not allow anger to cloud our judgement or turn against Sudanese traders and refugees currently residing in our country,” he said.

Earlier in the week, South Sudan’s government and various civil society organisations issued statements condemning the Wad Madani incident.

“South Sudan’s Foreign Affairs Ministry received a comprehensive report from our Embassy in Port Sudan detailing the unfortunate events that have resulted in the loss of lives among our innocent citizens, who maintain a non-combatant status and possess foreign nationality,” the Ministry said in a statement.

Undersecretary John Samuel Bowgo urged Sudan’s government to take immediate and effective action to protect the rights and dignity of South Sudanese citizens.

“He urged the Government of Sudan to take immediate and effective actions to safeguard the rights and dignity of all foreign nationals, particularly our South Sudanese citizens, who are currently affected by the ongoing crisis in Wad Madani and other areas of Sudan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called on the Republic of Sudan to consider the following measures: ensure an immediate halt to actions that endanger lives; provide unrestricted access to consular services for our citizens; conduct a thorough investigation into the reported incidents and hold offenders accountable; and inform the Ministry of the investigation findings and any measures taken in response,” the statement added.

Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded by committing to conduct a thorough investigation and pledging to bring those involved to account.

“The Ministry reaffirmed the commitment of the government of Sudan and all its organs to upholding the rule of law and the principles of international humanitarian law and to maintaining zero tolerance for any violations of these principles, acts of aggression against innocent civilians. The isolated incident will be subjected to thorough investigations, and those responsible will face fair justice. Straight-level directives have been issued to security and law enforcement agencies to take all necessary measures to ensure that such incidents are not repeated, addressing any early signs of such behaviors, and eliminating them at their sources,” Sudan’s statement said.

In response to the unrest, South Sudan’s National Police Service deployed hundreds of officers across Juba, particularly near the Sudan embassy, after calls on social media for protests at the embassy. 

Despite the heavy deployment, some demonstrators gathered outside the embassy wielding placards, and several were arrested by police.

The daylight protest ultimately gave way to overnight demonstrations and looting of Sudanese-owned shops in several residential areas across Juba.