South Sudan has formally summoned Sudan’s ambassador following reports of abuse against its nationals in Wad Madani, a city recently retaken by Sudanese forces. Videos circulating on social media appear to show a South Sudanese individual being tortured, intensifying concerns about human rights violations in the area.
In response to these incidents, the South Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement expressing grave concern over the reported abuses after the Sudanese army regained control of the city, the capital of Al Jazirah state. South Sudan’s Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador John Samuel Bwogo, met with Sudanese Ambassador Issam Karrar to convey the government’s strong objections and call for action to safeguard the rights of all foreign nationals, particularly South Sudanese citizens.
The ministry has also highlighted a report from its embassy in Port Sudan, which details the loss of lives among South Sudanese citizens during the recent events. The government has called for an immediate halt to any actions endangering civilians and demands an investigation into the reported abuses, as well as accountability for those responsible.
Sudanese authorities have accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of recruiting foreign mercenaries, including from South Sudan. Various online posts have shown South Sudanese nationals in RSF uniforms, some of whom were reportedly killed or detained amid the ongoing conflict in Al Jazirah.
While recognizing the complexities of the conflict, South Sudan emphasized the importance of protecting all civilians under international law. The government also reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety of its citizens in Sudan and vowed to pursue diplomatic and consular efforts to secure their protection.
Sudan had previously hosted over a million South Sudanese during the civil war, offering them freedom of movement and residence. However, following the outbreak of conflict between Sudan’s army and the RSF in April 2023, many South Sudanese nationals have returned to their homeland.