Parliament Calls for Investigation into Killings of Citizens in Sudan

The First Deputy Speaker of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA), Oyet Nathaniel Pierino, has called for establishment of a joint investigation committee to look into the recent brutal killings of South Sudanese citizens in Wad Madani, Al Jazirah State in Sudan.
First Deputy Speaker of the National Parliament, Oyet Nathaniel Pierino addressing journalists on Thursday in his office (Photo byJenifer James)

By Jenifer James

The First Deputy Speaker of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA), Oyet Nathaniel Pierino, has called for establishment of a joint investigation committee to look into the recent brutal killings of South Sudanese citizens in Wad Madani, Al Jazirah State in Sudan.

This week a video surfaced on social media showing the butcher of South Sudanese individuals in Wad Madani, after it was recently retaken by the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) from rebels.

The SAF recaptured Wad Madani from the paramilitary Forces Rapid Support Forces led by Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commonly known as Hemedti.

Nathaniel expressed shock and disappointment on Thursday over the targeted killings of South Sudanese citizens in Sudan.

 “We have received disturbing reports about the deliberate targeting of our citizens in Sudan. This is a deeply troubling and horrifying development,” he told journalists in Juba.

Nathaniel highlighted the historical relationship between Sudan and South Sudan, emphasizing that the two countries share a strong bond.

“Sudan and South Sudan are sister nations, and for years, the citizens of both countries have lived side by side, even after South Sudan gained independence,” he said.

However, the escalating violence in Sudan, which began a year ago, has led to an alarming rise in attacks against South Sudanese civilians, he disclosed.

 “We are deeply concerned by the fact that South Sudanese in Sudan are being specifically targeted. They are being attacked in the streets, their homes are being violated, and no place seems safe for them,” said Nathaniel.

Reports indicate that South Sudanese citizens are being attacked in areas controlled by both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF.

Nathaniel cited the emerging evidence of mass graves in areas like Wad Madani and other regions.

He also criticized the failure of the leadership of the warring factions to arrest or condemn the killings.

“If we do not hear the leadership of these groups taking action to stop these killings or condemning them, we will consider it deliberate and systematic. It appears that the leadership of these factions may be sanctioning this violence,” said Nathaniel.

Nathaniel emphasized that there was no justification for the killings.

The National Ministry of Foreign Affairs and international cooperation on Wednesday summoned Sudanese Ambassador Isam Mohamed Hassan Karar, on Wednesday to explain the killings in Wad Madani.

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