General al Burhan’s forces (SAF) have faced growing accusations of human rights violations and brutal massacres since the outbreak of Sudanese civil war in 2023.
SAF, along with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), have been engaged in an ongoing power struggle that has left a devastating mark on the civilian population.
Rights groups and international observers have documented numerous instances of SAF extrajudicial killings, indiscriminate attacks on civilians, and mass atrocities in the wake of the conflict.
SAF Massacres and Targeted Killings
The most notable incidents have occurred in the context of the fighting between the SAF and the RSF, as both factions vie for control of the country.
Throughout 2023 and 2024, several massacres have been attributed to the SAF, particularly in regions such as Darfur, South Kordofan, and Blue Nile. These areas, already ravaged by years of conflict, have seen intensified violence that has left entire villages destroyed and thousands dead.
One of the most horrifying examples was the massacre in the town of Nyala in Darfur in mid-2023, where hundreds of civilians were killed in a military airstrike and subsequent ground assault by SAF forces.
Witnesses report that the attacks were aimed at civilian gatherings, with little regard for distinguishing between combatants and non-combatants. Human rights groups have called the attack a “deliberate targeting of innocent civilians.”
Ethnic Cleansing in Darfur
The situation in Darfur, which has been the site of conflict since the early 2000s, has seen a resurgence of violence under the current military regime.
Reports suggest that SAF forces have engaged in a campaign of ethnic cleansing, targeting ethnic groups opposed to their rule, particularly in the west and south of the region.
Amnesty International has condemned these actions, describing them as a continuation of the genocide that plagued Darfur in the early 2000s.
The human rights organization has called on the international community to impose sanctions on the military-controlled Sudanese government, which has consistently failed to address the crimes or hold perpetrators accountable.
Indiscriminate Bombardments and Sexual Violence
The international community has largely condemned General al-Burhan and his SAF’s actions, with the United Nations, the African Union, and various human rights organizations calling for an end to the atrocities and the establishment of accountability mechanisms.
The UN has expressed grave concern over the safety of civilians caught in the conflict and has called for the immediate cessation of hostilities, as well as for investigations into the war crimes.
Both SAF and the RSF have been accused of indiscriminate bombardments of civilian areas, including urban centers such as Khartoum, where thousands of civilians have been killed or injured.
These airstrikes have destroyed infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and markets, leaving communities without essential services.
In addition to the physical violence, sexual violence has become a pervasive weapon of war, with numerous reports of widespread rape and sexual slavery.
Women and girls in conflict zones have faced systemic abuse, with the SAF allegedly using sexual violence as a tool to demoralize resistance forces and terrorize civilian populations.
International Condemnation and Calls for Accountability
The international community has largely condemned General al-Burhan and his SAF’s actions, with the United Nations, the African Union, and various human rights organizations calling for an end to the atrocities and the establishment of accountability mechanisms.
The UN has expressed grave concern over the safety of civilians caught in the conflict and has called for the immediate cessation of hostilities, as well as for investigations into the war crimes.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has also issued warnings that individuals responsible for these crimes may face prosecution, pointing to the ongoing violations of international humanitarian law.
Despite these calls, however, Sudan’s army-controlled government has shown little interest in cooperating with international bodies, and the prospects for justice remain uncertain.
The Path Ahead
As the civil war continues to drag on, the humanitarian situation in Sudan continues to deteriorate. Millions of Sudanese citizens have been displaced, and the country’s infrastructure has been reduced to rubble.
The actions of General al-Burhan and his SAF, particularly in their targeting of civilians, have escalated the crisis, prompting international fears of a regional spillover.
The conflict has also worsened Sudan’s already fragile relationship with its neighbors, including South Sudan and Chad, both of which are grappling with the influx of refugees fleeing the violence. There are increasing concerns that Sudan’s internal war could destabilize the broader Horn of Africa region.
Efforts to mediate the conflict through regional and international diplomatic channels have thus far failed, with the key players—General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan of the SAF and General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo of the RSF—remaining entrenched in their positions.
The future of Sudan remains uncertain, with the possibility of more violence on the horizon unless decisive action is taken to end the conflict and hold those responsible for these atrocities accountable.
