Sudan civil war: Army chief Burhan orders investigations into alleged killings in Gezira

Wad Madani, which is 87 miles (140km) south of the capital, Khartoum, fell to the RSF about a year ago. The military regained control of it on Saturday.

The city serves as a strategic crossroads, connecting several states through key supply highways. It is also the closest major town to Khartoum.

A Sudanese rights group accused the military of going on a rampage, killing at least 13 people in Camp Taiba, a village about 20km away.

The UN’s humanitarian chief in Sudan, Clementine Nkweta-Salami, said she was deeply concerned about reports of retaliatory attacks against civilians in Gezira “based on alleged affiliation or ethnicity”.

The US special envoy for Sudan Tom Perriello called the reports “appalling” and urged the army and allied groups to investigate and hold those responsible accountable.

Gen Burhan said he had set up a committee to investigate the alleged killings in Camp Taiba, and has asked it to report back within a week.

He did not comment about the concerns raised by South Sudan, and whether the investigation would focus on alleged atrocities elsewhere in Gezira.

South Sudan’s foreign ministry said that it had received a “comprehensive report” from its embassy in Sudan “detailing the unfortunate events that have resulted in the loss of lives among our innocent citizens, who maintain a non-combatant status”.

The military has previously accused the RSF of hiring South Sudanese as “mercenaries” to fight on its side.