BRUTAL murders of South Sudanese citizens in the Sudanese city of Wad Madani were condemned by African Union Commission president Moussa Faki Mahamat today.

His comments followed calls by South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir last week for the authorities in Khartoum to carry out an investigation into the killings in Wad Madani, in Sudan’s Jazirah state, and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Mr Mahama extended his condolences to the families of the victims, the government and the people of South Sudan, while urging avoidance of any act that could lead to further violence.

He also called on all sides to come together to bring an end to the conflict that has raged in Sudan between the military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces since April 15 2023.

Earlier, Djibouti, which chairs the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, expressed deep concern at reports of the killings in Wad Madani and other alleged human rights violations across Sudan.

In a statement, the small Horn of Africa country condemned the alleged atrocities and called on all parties to exercise restraint and prioritise de-escalation efforts.

The statement said: “Reaffirming its commitment to peace, Djibouti calls for an immediate end to the conflict in Sudan through inclusive dialogue that safeguards the unity, security and stability of the sister nation.” 

South Sudanese Foreign Ministry Undersecretary John Samuel Bwogo requested that Sudan’s military allow a high-level committee from his country to visit Wad Madani.

He urged both sides in Sudan’s civil war to do more to protect South Sudanese citizens caught up in the violence.

Meanwhile, Sudan’s ambassador to South Sudan, Isam Mohamed Hassan Karar, said that a committee had been set up to investigate the killings in Wad Madani, which took place after the Sudanese military retook the area from the RSF on January 11.