Human Rights Report Details Attacks on Kanabi Community in Sudan

A human rights report launched in Kampala by the Darfur Victims Support Organization, the Kanabi Conference and the London-based Center for the Study of Truth and Knowledge, has raised concerns over alleged human rights abuses in Sudan's Gezira State. The report, titled Identity and Color-Based Violence in Sudan: A Human Rights Study Documenting Attacks on Civilians in Campo Tayba, Gezira State, January 2025, documents incidents reported between January 9 and 11, 2025.

The report attributes the attacks to Sudan Shield Forces and allied armed elements, including the al-Baraa bin Malik battalion. According to the report, the attacks involved killings, arson, looting of household property and livestock, destruction of livelihoods and the displacement of residents. The findings add to growing concerns about the safety of civilians in Sudan, where fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces has resulted in widespread displacement and destruction.

The Kanabi community has faced challenges relating to land ownership, access to public services, secure housing and political recognition for decades. Research indicates that their settlements have existed around the Gezira agricultural scheme for more than 70 years. Following the fall of Omar al-Bashir in 2019, members of the communities organised through the Kanabi Conference to advocate for recognition and their rights.

The report documents alleged killings of civilians, burning of residential homes, looting, destruction of property and livestock, and the loss of livelihoods. Researchers collected information through interviews with survivors and family members, eyewitness testimonies, photographs, videos, field reports and other documentary sources. The researchers also indicate that some witness names were changed to protect individuals and their families.

The report calls for the protection of affected communities, independent investigations, accountability for alleged violations and support for survivors. However, the report contains differing casualty figures in its executive summary and later findings. The figures require clarification from the authors before a definitive death toll can be established.

International human rights organisations have also investigated attacks on civilians in Gezira State. In February 2025, Human Rights Watch reported that Sudan Shield Forces attacked Tayba village on January 10, 2025, killing at least 26 people, including a child, and burning homes and looting property. The United Nations Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan has also documented attacks against Kanabi communities in Gezira State.

The report's launch highlights the need for stronger protection of civilians and credible investigations into alleged violations committed during Sudan's conflict. The participation of the Kanabi Conference emphasises the importance of including affected communities in discussions about their protection, recognition and access to justice. The report calls for accountability, protection of survivors and measures to address the consequences of violence, including displacement and loss of property and livelihoods.

Key points

• The report documents alleged human rights abuses, including killings, destruction of homes and looting, committed by Sudan Shield Forces and allied armed elements against the Kanabi community in Sudan's Gezira State.