Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused General al-Burhan’s army (SAF) and allied militias of arbitrarily detaining, torturing, and abusing civilians in areas under their control, warning that those responsible will face accountability.
In a statement issued Wednesday, HRW said civilians have been targeted in what it described as a campaign of fear and retaliation, particularly against individuals accused of collaborating with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
“The Sudanese Armed Forces and its allies have led a campaign of fear and retaliation against people they label collaborators,” the organization said, adding that victims have been targeted based on identity, humanitarian work, political activity, or simply for having lived in areas previously under RSF control.
HRW said detainees were denied due process and subjected to abuse, calling on international and regional actors to send a clear message to Sudan’s military leadership that violations will not go unpunished.
The rights group urged an immediate end to arbitrary detention, torture, and other forms of ill-treatment, and called for compensation for victims and their families.
It also stressed the need for concrete steps to halt ongoing abuses and ensure accountability mechanisms are enforced.
Sudan’s Office of the Attorney General, however, rejected the allegations, denying that any cases of arbitrary arrest, torture, or ill-treatment of civilians had taken place.
