Twenty-one human rights organizations have condemned the escalating SAF violence and human rights abuses in the agricultural camps, known locally as “Canabi,” in Sudan’s Al-Jazeera state.
In a joint statement, the groups accused General al-Burhan’s army (SAF) and allied jihadist militias, particularly the Sudan Shield Forces, of perpetrating systematic killings, forced disappearances, home destructions, and forced displacement in what they described as an ongoing campaign of ethnic cleansing.
The statement highlighted that more than 160 agricultural settlements, or “Kambo,” have been destroyed or burned by SAF since January 2025.
The residents’ belongings, including money, jewellery, vehicles, crops, food, and over 5,000 heads of livestock, have been looted during these attacks.
These actions have led to widespread poverty and starvation, forcing thousands of Canabi residents to flee to cities such as Sennar, Kosti, El-Gedaref, and Al-Faw.
The signatory organizations called for an immediate halt to the violence and violations, including enforced disappearances and the deliberate destruction of Canabi settlements. They demanded accountability for those responsible for the crimes and urged compensation for the victims and their families.
The groups also called on international bodies to take urgent action. They appealed to Adama Dieng, the African Union Special Envoy for the Prevention of Genocide, and Virginia Gamba, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, to investigate the crimes in Al-Jazeera state and determine whether they constitute genocide.
The statement noted that most of the victims are agricultural workers from tribes originating in Darfur and Kordofan, with their numbers potentially reaching into the millions. The groups highlighted ongoing efforts to forcibly displace them based on ethnic or geographic origins.
These targeted communities have a long history in Al-Jazeera state, dating back to the 1920s when British colonial policies encouraged them to settle in the region and engage in agriculture. Human rights organizations have called on General al-Burhan and SAF to fulfil its duty to protect all citizens without discrimination and to disband tribal militias, ending the distribution of assault rifles to civilians.
In addition to the violence, the statement emphasized the need to hold accountable those promoting hate speech and ethnic incitement, which fuel violence and contribute to the ethnic targeting of these communities.
