24.4.2024
*Department of Welfare and Social Development*
*Press Release*
Urgent Call for Action to Stop Ongoing Atrocities in Jabal al-Da’ir, and the Sedrah area of Sudan .
The Department of Welfare and Social Development in Nuba Mountains / South Kordofan Region, is compelled to bring to your immediate attention a dire humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region of Jabal al-Da’ir and the Sedrah area of South Kordufan . Recent weeks have seen an escalation in violent attacks perpetrated by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their allied militias, resulting in significant civilian casualties, massive displacements, and the systematic destruction of Nuba communities based on ethnici background.
*Summary of Recent Atrocities:*
– Over 100 Nuba civilians have been brutally killed, with reports confirming the burning of bodies and mutilation post-mortem.
– Systematic looting, arson, and destruction of entire villages and neighborhoods have been documented, with the clear intent of erasing Nuba community presence.
– More than 65,000 Nuba individuals have been forcibly displaced, facing harsh conditions without adequate shelter, food, or medical care.
– The RSF has been exploiting the absence of media coverage to carry out what clearly amounts to ethnic cleansing and genocide , targeting Nuba groups to destabilize, terrorize and occupy their land .
The attacks are characterized by extreme brutality and a disregard for basic human rights, targeting unarmed civilians, including women, children, and the elderly. The RSF’s actions are a gross violation of international human rights law and amounts to war crimes.
*Immediate Actions Required:*
1. Investigation and Documentation: We urge international bodies, including the United Nations Human Rights Council and the International Criminal Court, to initiate a thorough investigation into these atrocities. Independent observers and human rights experts must be dispatched to assess and document the situation.
2. Sanctions and International Pressure: We call on the international community to impose targeted sanctions on leaders of the RSF and those in the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) who support or facilitate these crimes. International pressure is crucial to halting these operations and holding perpetrators accountable.
3. Humanitarian Aid and Protection: The displaced populations need immediate humanitarian assistance. We urge international NGOs and governments to provide aid and establish safe zones under international protection to shelter civilians.
4. Support for Peacebuilding Initiatives: Support must be extended to local peacebuilding and reconciliation efforts within the affected communities to foster long-term stability and prevent further violence.
The situation in Jabal al-Da’ir and the Sedrah area is not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of abuse and violence that threatens the stability and peace of the entire region. We stand ready to assist in any initiatives and welcome any support that can be provided to end this violence and restore dignity to the people of Jabal al-Da’ir and the Sedrah area.
Together, we have the power to stop these atrocities and ensure that justice is served. We count on your solidarity and urgent action to help us protect our communities and prevent further loss of life.
*Sincerely,*
*Name: Awadia Saeed Ambila*
*Title: Secretary of Welfare and Social Development Department*
*Organization: New Sudan civil Authority – Nuba Mountains / South Kordofan Region*
*Contact Information:*
*E-mail:* socialdevelopment1@gmail.com
*WhatsApp:* +211916325726