Justice Africa Sudan: Baggara attack on Nuba village leaves 14 dead

Militant members of the Sudanese Baggara tribe attacked the village of Abulhasan in Abu Kershola in northeast South Kordofan on Friday. At least 14 villagers were killed.

The Sudanese NGO Justice Africa Sudan (JAS) reported earlier today that the attackers, from the large Baggara (meaning cattle herders) tribe, killed 14 people and wounded six others. They then plundered the entire village, robbing its residents of their property, including their last reserves of food.

The report said that the attack came during the rainy season, while the villagers are working on their farms, attempting to grow crops without funding.

JAS strongly condemns “these attacks on innocent civilians” and urges the authorities to protect them.

The organisation also urges the two warring parties, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), “to immediately cease hostilities and allow the movement of goods and humanitarian assistance” to the region.

The Nuba Mountains suffered from a very bad harvest last year and the population is facing severe shortage of food. Many villagers are resorting to eating trees leaves to survive.

The increase level of violence in the northern parts of the Nuba Mountains in South Kordofan has led to mass displacement. Many villagers fled to the nearest towns, where the humanitarian situation is dire. Relief organisations cannot reach the towns due to the insecurity and blocked roads.

The prices of essential commodities are soaring again these days because most of the roads leading to these areas are closed following the fighting in Sennar and the RSF threatening to attack While Nile state.

The collapse of the Sudanese Pound, which lost 70 per cent of its value since the war between the Sudanese army and its paramilitary counterpart broke out in April 2023, also led to the deterioration of the economic situation in the country.