Violence across Gezira following SAF takeover of Wad Madani

Introduction

The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) retook control of Wad Madani, the capital of Gezira on 11 January. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) were in control of the city for over a year, after launching an assault on the city in December 2023. Since the SAF’s advance on Wad Madani, multiple videos have surfaced online of alleged human rights violations in the city, including arrests, physical violence, and killings. CIR verified five videos showing SAF or SAF-affiliated forces assaulting unarmed people in civilian clothing. Although all five videos were shared online with allegations that the respective victims were affiliated with or supportive of the RSF, CIR could not verify these claims.

Video 1: 

Soldiers in SAF uniform kicking detained individuals in civilian clothing in Al Keriba, 12 January 

On 12 January, a pro-SAF account on X shared a video captioned: “The fate of the dogs of [the RSF], bastards in Wad Madani”, showing armed soldiers in SAF uniform kicking detained individuals in civilian clothing, while accusing the men of being RSF fighters from Al Keriba. CIR geolocated the footage to approximately 100m west of Al Keriba, a town located 2 km west of Wad Madani, and confirmed the incident likely took place on 11 January. 

The soldiers are wearing uniforms in a dark green camouflage pattern, the same uniform worn by SAF and SAF-allied militia fighters. One soldier, seen passing in front of the camera, wears a Sudan flag patch on their right shoulder. Other fighters involved in the abuse of the detainees are dressed in black t-shirts, black bandanas, and a mix of camouflage trousers or jeans. While CIR cannot confirm their affiliation, the black tops and bandanas are consistent with clothing commonly worn by the SAF-affiliated Special Mission Forces (SMF).

On 12 January, a pro-SAF account claimed that the SAF ambushed a fleeing RSF force southwest of Al Keriba, seizing around fifty vehicles and capturing all members of the force. However, CIR could not verify these claims, nor could the team confirm whether the civilians in the footage were part of the respective RSF force. 

Video 2:

Man in civilian clothing thrown from Hantoub Bridge near Wad Madani, 13 January 

On 13 January, a pro-RSF Telegram channel shared a video showing a man in civilian clothing being physically assaulted by soldiers, thrown from a bridge, and then shot at multiple times. CIR geolocated the footage to the Hantoub Bridge, which crosses the Blue Nile River and is located approximately 3 km from Wad Madani’s city centre.  

CIR identified patches on the soldiers’ uniforms, which indicates that they are affiliated with Barra’a Ibn Malik brigade, the General Intelligence Service (GIS) and the SMF. 

According to the video caption, the SAF are executing young men [civilians] in Wad Madani, of whom the man in the video allegedly is one. However, analysis of the speech in the video suggests the act was carried out in retaliation, with the implicit accusation that the individual was affiliated with the RSF. This is indicated by the use of the term ‘Um Kaukat’, a new term commonly used by the SAF and their affiliates in Gezira to refer to the RSF. The person filming stated: 

“Beat the animal, do you want to fall? Come on, run, run, [I] fuck your family. […] In revenge for all our martyrs, in revenge for all our martyrs. […] Beat the gay ‘Um Kaukat’”

CIR could not verify the identity or background of the victim and was not able to confirm any of the claims about his affiliation at the time of writing this report.

Video 3: 

Man in SAF or SAF-affiliated uniform stood next to a body threatening RSF collaborators will face ‘a similar fate’ in Wad Madani, 14 January 

On 14 January, a pro-RSF ccount posted a video to X showing a body in civilian clothing on the ground with his hands tied behind his back. CIR geolocated the footage to a street in the centre of Wad Madani. A man in a dark green camouflage uniform resembling that of the SAF or SAF-affiliated forces is stood next to the body, saying:  

“Of course, this is the fate of any [RSF] and anyone collaborating with these people. This is their fate: death. […] Allah Akbar, and the Armed Forces are the safety valve of Sudan. There is no alternative to the Armed Forces except the Armed Forces.” 

On the same day, a journalist shared a video to X depicting a similar scene. In the video, a man in similar civilian clothing as in the previous video can be seen alive, laying on the ground. He then has his throat slit by a man who is wearing a similar SAF or SAF-affiliated uniform as one of the perpetrators in the first video. Although CIR determined the videos were not captured in the same location, it is possible that the body was moved after he was killed. The team assessed that both pieces of footage are authentic.  

In both videos, the man in uniform appears to be wearing a patch that resembles that of the Sudan Shield Forces (SSF), which is an SAF affiliated force. However, due to the poor quality of the footage, this could not be verified.  

Video 4: 

Men in GIS uniform arresting men in Darwish village, 14 January 

On 14 January, a pro-SAF account posted a video to Facebook showing at least five unarmed men in civilian clothing being arrested and forced into the back of a truck. The men have their hands tied behind their backs and are whipped as they enter the truck. CIR geolocated the footage to a small compound in Darwish village,  approximately 19 km southwest of Wad Madani. The caption states that the men being arrested are RSF militia. CIR could not verify the claim. At the end of the video, civilians are seen celebrating outside the compound. CIR assessed  the footage  is authentic. Analysis of shadows using SunCalc indicates that the video was taken between 14:00 and 16:00 UTC+2. 

At least four of the men carrying out the arrests are seen wearing a camouflage green and red uniform with a patch commonly worn by the GIS. Two other men are wearing camouflage green trousers and/or t-shirts and bandanas, consistent uniforms worn by SAF-allied militia. 

The same pro-SAF account posted a second video to Facebook on 14 January showing men in GIS uniform celebrating on top of a truck with civilians allegedly in Darwish village. CIR matched several indicators with the first video, suggesting that the second video was taken just outside the compound after the first video was filmed. CIR has not yet seen footage to confirm what happened to the arrested men afterwards.

Video 5:  

Bodies in civilian clothing in a compound in Wad Madani, 15 January 

On 15 January, a video was shared to X by a PRO-rsf social media influencer showing at least 20 bodies, all of whom are wearing civilian clothing. The footage was geolocated by an OSINT account on X to the northwestern corner of the Wad Kanan street junction in Wad Madani, 4.5km northwest of Wad Madani city centre. CIR corroborated the verification. On 15 January, an image was posted to a pro-RSF Telegram channel showing an individual in uniform commonly worn by the SAF standing over the same bodies as seen in the previous video. 

In the video, the perpetrators can be heard referring to the detainees as ‘sons of guests’, a common reference to RSF, suggesting that they are not Sudanese. However, the caption of the image claims the victims were of Zaghawa ethnicity. Neither of the claims could not be verified.

Conclusion 

The recent developments in Gezira show stark resemblance to incidents that took place in December 2023 around the RSF takeover. During this period, CIR collected and verified multiple videos showing SAF-affiliated groups carrying out attacks and arrests of men in civilian clothing in Wad Madani and surrounding areas, on allegations that they were affiliated with or supportive of the RSF. More information can be found in this report. 

CIR has documented several other videos allegedly showing violations against people in civilian clothing in Wad Madani that have not yet been verified and continues to monitor developments in Gezira. In addition, CIR is also monitoring events in villages across Gezira where alleged attacks on Kanabi communities have been reported.