Documentation Report on the Removal of Al-Khairat Village – Soba, East Nile Locality, Khartoum State

Introduction

Amid the ongoing internal armed conflict in Sudan since April 2023, violations against civilians have increased by various parties, leading to large-scale displacement, systematic destruction of property, and deprivation of fundamental rights. In this context, the Darfur Victims Advocacy Organization received documented reports indicating that joint government forces carried out a forced removal operation of hundreds of homes in Al-Khairat village, East Nile locality – Soba, Khartoum State, in mid-May 2025. The operation reportedly targeted residents of Darfur and Kordofan regions.

Background of the Incident

According to citizen “H. S. M.” (45 years old, married with five children) and other victims, a joint force consisting of the army, police, and intelligence services stormed Al-Khairat village on May 18, 2025, at around 8:00 AM. The force used approximately 20 armed Land Cruiser vehicles and was led by East Nile locality’s executive director, Mortada Yaqoub Banga. Prior to this, authorities had written removal orders on house walls on May 7-8 in the Al-Fatah area without issuing formal warnings or legal notices.

The forces proceeded to demolish homes, destroying nearly 1,000 houses without offering alternative housing or compensation, in blatant violation of national and international laws. Three citizens who protested against the operation—Sharaf Kamal Khalid, Muhannad Faki, and Abdullah Muhannad Faki—were arrested but released later that day. Among the documented victims (whose real names are concealed for their safety) are Mohamed Ali Khalid, Nasr El-Din Ibrahim Abdullah, Saif Bashara, Ishaq Jamal Hamid, and others.

Legal Status of the Land and Residents

Victims reported that the area was officially designated between 2020 and 2021 by the same executive director, Mortada Yaqoub Banga. They paid 20,000 Sudanese pounds for allocation and received official documents. Despite this legal legitimacy, the forced removal was carried out without judicial decisions or considerations for housing and ownership rights.

Legal Framework for Violations

1. Sudanese Criminal Law (1991)

• Article 183 (Criminal Trespass): Defines trespassing as unlawfully occupying someone else’s property. The removal of homes with official documents without legal justification constitutes a clear criminal trespass.
• Article 182 (Criminal Damage): Criminalizes deliberate destruction of others’ property.
• Article 186 (Racial Discrimination): Criminalizes actions based on racial or ethnic discrimination, including targeting people based on their regional background.

2. International Humanitarian Law

• Fourth Geneva Convention (Article 49): Prohibits the forced displacement of civilian populations under any circumstances.
• Article 53: Prohibits the destruction of civilian property unless absolutely necessary for military operations, which does not apply in this case.

3. International Human Rights Law

• Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 17): Ensures the right to own property and prohibits arbitrary deprivation of ownership.
• International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Article 9): Guarantees protection from arbitrary detention and the right to a fair trial.

Legal Description of Violations

1. Illegal Forced Removal: The operation was conducted without judicial decisions or prior notifications, violating legitimate property rights.
2. Criminal Trespass on Property: The forces entered and removed private properties unlawfully, violating Article 183 of Sudanese Criminal Law.
3. Racial Discrimination: Targeting residents based on their regional background (Darfur and Kordofan) breaches national laws and international conventions.
4. Deprivation of Shelter and Human Dignity: Especially concerning as the rainy season approaches and no housing plans have been provided for affected residents.
5. Arbitrary Detention: Citizens were detained without charges, violating Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Recommendations

1. Immediate intervention by humanitarian organizations to provide food, shelter, and basic services for affected residents.
2. Legal resolution for the residents, ensuring their housing rights before the rainy season begins.
3. An independent and impartial investigation to hold accountable those responsible for the violations, particularly executive director Mortada Yaqoub Banga.
4. An end to arbitrary and racially discriminatory eviction practices, ensuring they do not recur.
5. A review of urban planning policies with active community involvement in decisions regarding land and housing.

Conclusion

The events in Al-Khairat village reflect the severe violations committed against civilians amid legal impunity, particularly affecting historically marginalized groups. The Darfur Victims Advocacy Organization asserts that such actions pose a direct threat to civil peace and further complicate Sudan’s humanitarian and political crisis. Justice and accountability for victims are not just legal rights but crucial measures to break the cycle of violence and impunity.