A local civil coalition in Sudan’s Al-Jazira State has rejected what it described as growing militarization in the region, warning that the presence of armed groups risks destabilizing one of the country’s most socially cohesive areas.
The Alliance of Al-Jazira and Al-Managil Residents said in a statement that it opposes the establishment of offices and activities linked to armed factions, including the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), Sudan Shield Forces, and the Al-Baraa militia, which it said is affiliated with the Islamist movement.
The group described the current situation as a “dangerous historical turning point,” accusing forces promoting militarization and “mercenary agendas” of attempting to fragment the social fabric and turn the state into a battleground for violent power struggles.
The alliance reiterated its rejection of any military expansion under any banner, stressing its slogan “No guardianship over Al-Jazira,” and warning against the deployment of parallel armed structures in towns and villages.
It said Al-Jazira has long been a stronghold of civilian life and peaceful coexistence, adding that residents would not allow civilians to be used as human shields or drawn into conflicts driven by narrow political interests.
The statement also warned that the spread of armed recruitment campaigns—targeting youth under formations such as “shield forces,” “brigades,” or regionally aligned movements—poses a serious threat to social stability and could pave the way for broader civil conflict.
According to the alliance, the proliferation of multiple armed actors risks creating competing power centers, exposing civilians to abuses amid weak institutional oversight.
The group called for the immediate closure of recruitment offices linked to JEM and demanded a halt to all activities by Sudan Shield Forces and the Al-Baraa brigades within the state.
It also urged residents across towns and rural areas to engage in peaceful civic resistance by monitoring and rejecting the presence or activities of these groups, while reaffirming commitment to a civilian-led path.
In a strongly worded message, the alliance warned against what it described as actors “trading in blood,” saying that the awareness of Al-Jazira’s youth would prevent them from being mobilized under slogans that serve the interests of military elites.
