Introduction
Amidst the internal armed conflict in Sudan since April 2023, violations against civilians by all parties to the conflict have escalated.
This has led to widespread displacement, systematic destruction of property, and the deprivation of basic rights for citizens.
In this context, the Darfur Victims Support Organization received documented reports indicating that joint government forces carried out a forced demolition of hundreds of homes in Al-Khayrat village, part of the East Nile Locality – Soba, Khartoum State, in mid-May 2025.
This was a systematic targeting of residents originating from the Darfur and Kordofan regions.
Background of the Incident
According to the testimony of citizen “H. S. M.” (45 years old, married with 5 children) and several other victims, a joint force of the army, police, and intelligence agency raided Al-Khayrat village on May 18, 2025, at approximately 8:00 AM. They used about 20 armed Land Cruiser vehicles, led by the Executive Director of the East Nile Locality, Mortada Yaqoub Banqa. This was preceded by the authorities writing demolition orders on the walls of homes on May 7 and 8 in the Al-Fath area, without official warning or legal notice.
The forces began demolishing homes, with approximately 1,000 homes being destroyed, without providing any alternatives or compensation to the affected individuals, in a blatant violation of national and international laws.
Three citizens who protested the operation were arrested: Sharaf Kamal Khalid, Muhannad Faki, and Abdullah Muhannad Faki.
They were released later that same day.
Among the affected individuals whose testimonies were documented (their real names are withheld for their safety) are: Mohammed Ali Khalid, Nasr El Din Ibrahim Abdullah, Saif Bishara, Ishaq Jamal Hamed, and others.
Legal Status of Lands and Residents
The victims stated that the area was officially organized between 2020 and 2021 by the Executive Director himself, Mortada Yaqoub Banqa. Fees of 20,000 Sudanese pounds were paid for allocation, and official documents were issued. However, despite this legal legitimacy, the demolition was carried out forcibly without judicial decisions or regard for housing or property rights.
Legal Framework of Violations
1/ Sudanese Criminal Law of 1991
- Article 183 (Criminal Trespass): States that anyone who takes possession of or continues to be present on another’s property without legal right is considered to have committed the crime of trespass. The demolition of existing homes with official documents without legal basis constitutes clear criminal trespass.
- Article 182 (Criminal Damage): Prohibits the deliberate destruction of others’ property.
- Article 186 (Racial Discrimination):
Prohibits any act based on racial discrimination, including targeting based on regional or tribal affiliation. 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 private property of civilians except in cases of absolute military necessity, which does not apply to the case under report. 3/International Human Rights Law
- Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 17): Guarantees the right to property and prohibits arbitrary deprivation of property.
- International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Article 9): Guarantees protection from arbitrary arrest and the right to a fair trial.
Legal Description of Violations
1/ Illegal Forced Demolition: The operation was carried out without judicial decisions or prior notices, which constitutes a violation of the right to legitimate property and ownership.
2/ Criminal Trespass on Property: The forces that carried out the operation entered private property and forcibly removed it, in violation of Article 183 of the Sudanese Criminal Law.
3/ Clear Racial Discrimination: Targeting residents based on their regional origins (Darfur and Kordofan) constitutes a breach of national law and international conventions.
4/ Deprivation of Shelter and Human Dignity: Especially with the approaching rainy season, and the absence of any plans to shelter the affected individuals.
5/ Arbitrary Arrest: Citizens were detained without charges, in violation of Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Recommendations:
1/ Immediate access for humanitarian organizations to provide food, shelter, and essential services to the affected population.
2/ Regularize the legal status of residents and issue official decisions guaranteeing their right to housing before the rainy season.
3/ Launch an independent and impartial investigation to hold those involved in the violations accountable, particularly Executive Director Mortada Yaqoub Banqa.
4/ Halt all forms of arbitrary and discriminatory demolitions and ensure they are not repeated.
5/ Re-evaluate urban planning policies and involve local communities in decision-making related to their land and housing.
Conclusion:-
The events in Al-Khayrat village reflect the extent of violations committed against civilians in the absence of law and accountability, especially against historically marginalized groups. The Darfur Victims Advocacy Organization asserts that such actions pose a direct threat to civil peace and further complicate the humanitarian and political situation in the country. Accountability and justice for victims are not only a legal right but a necessity to end the cycle of violence and impunity.
