
The Kanabi Congress, a social and human rights entity, has accused General al-Burhan’s (SAF) and the Sudan Shield Forces, led by Abuagla Keikal, of committing a massacre against the community east of the Umm Al-Qura area in Al-Jazeera (Gezira) state.
The Congress is calling for an immediate investigation and dialogue with the government to address the underlying causes of the ongoing crisis.
In a statement issued late yesterday, the Congress condemned the actions that took place on January 9 in Kambo Khamsa and Kambo Taiba, east of Umm Al-Qura.
According to the statement, the attack involved the brutal killing of six people, including two children who were burned alive inside their homes, and the abduction of 13 women and one man. The statement also accused the SAF and allied forces of looting agricultural crops, livestock, and personal belongings, and setting fire to the entire Kambo area, leaving residents displaced and homeless.
The Kanabi Congress described the events as “genocide, crimes against humanity, and ethnic cleansing,” warning that such acts threaten the security and stability of Sudanese society as a whole.
The statement further emphasized that the recent attacks are part of a larger pattern of violence targeting the residents of Canabi and East Umm Al-Qura. The Congress expressed concern that previous warnings about incitement against the people of Canabi went unheeded, leading to the violent escalation.
While the Kanabi Congress has maintained neutrality in the ongoing war between the SAF and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), it condemned the involvement of the Sudan Shield Forces, which fights alongside the SAF, in the attacks against unarmed civilians.
The Congress reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the Kanabi community from becoming embroiled in the conflict, noting the historical vulnerability of the region’s residents to violence.
The statement also highlighted the violations committed by the SAF against the Kanabi people and called on the government to uphold its responsibility to protect all citizens, particularly in Kanabi and East Umm Al-Qura.
It demanded accountability for the perpetrators of the massacre, including Commander Abuagla Keikal of the Sudan Shield Forces.
The Kanabi Congress further called for a transparent and independent investigation into the recent violations, stressing the importance of documenting the events to prevent their recurrence. The Congress also called for decisive action against those promoting hate speech and incitement against the community.
The events in Kambo Khamsa and Kambo Taiba have become a critical test for the government’s ability to ensure the safety and justice of its citizens. The Kanabi Congress urged an urgent and serious response to end the suffering of the people, emphasizing that history would judge those responsible for failing to act during times of crisis.