Sudanese civil war: US sanctions Sudanese army commander Burhan

Earlier, General Burhan ordered an investigation into allegations that his troops committed widespread atrocities after retaking the capital of Gezira province from paramilitary rivals.

His move follows widespread concern over the killing of civilians, including foreign nationals, following the capture of the Wad Mine.

Neighboring South Sudan said on Wednesday it had summoned Sudan’s ambassador to protest “the loss of the lives of our innocent citizens”.

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

The city serves as a strategic junction connecting several states through major supply highways. It is also the closest big city to Khartoum.

A Sudanese human rights organization accused the military of killing at least 13 people in the village of Camp Taiba, about 20 km away.

The UN humanitarian chief in Sudan, Clementine Nkweta-Salami, expressed deep concern over reports of retaliatory attacks against civilians in Gezira “due to their alleged affiliation or ethnicity”.

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

General Burhan said he had formed a committee to investigate the alleged killings in the Taiba camp and asked it to report within a week.

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

South Sudan’s foreign ministry said it had received a comprehensive report from its embassy in Sudan “detailing the untoward incidents that have resulted in the deaths of our innocent citizens who maintain a war status”.

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