The United Nations Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan chaired by Mohamed Chande Othman of Tanzania said in its first 6 September 2024 Report that Sudan's warring parties, the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces as well as their respective militia allies have committed an appalling range of human rights and international humanitarian law violations including indiscriminate airstrikes and shelling against civilians, schools, hospitals, and vital water services.
The current armed conflict which began on 15 April 2023 between two former allies is led on the one side by General Abdel Fattah Al Burham of the Sudanese Armed Forces and on the other by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagulo, known by his battle name of Hemedhi, of the Rapid Support Forces. The conflict, which has spread to 14 of the 18 provinces of Sudan has killed and wounded tens of thousands of civilians, displaced nearly 8 million people and forced two million to flee to neighboring countries and beyond.
As the Fact-Finding Mission Report highlights, the warring parties targeted civilians through rape, sexual slavery and other forms of sexual violence, arbitrary arrest as well as torture and ill treatment. Assults have been carried out against ethnic minorities in particular the Masalit in West Darfur.
The Fact-Finding Mission, mandated by the Human Rights Council in October 2023, carried out a wide range of discussions and interviews. As the Expert Member of the Mission Mona Rishmawi said, "These findings should serve as a wakeup call to the international community to take decisive action to support survivors, their families and affected communities and hold perpetrators accountable. A comprehensive approach to transitional justice is vital for addressing the root causes of the conflict and ensuring accountability."
Efforts for a ceasefire and the start of negotiations by the Personal Envoy for the Sudan of the U.N. Secretary-General have led to no advances. Thus wider action is needed. Mohamed Othman has said "The international community must support the Sudanese aspiration for an inclusive and representative civilian government that respects the rights of all citizens, fostering a path toward equality, justice and sustainable peace in Sudan." In light of the many difficulties, he has called for sending U.N. peacekeeping forces to Sudan. "Given the failure of the warring parties to spare civilians, it is imperative that an independent and impartial force with a mandate to safeguard civilians be deployed without delay. The protection of the civilian population is paramount, and all parties must comply with their obligations under international law and immediately and unconditionally cease all attacks on the civilian population."
As the deployment of an independent and impartial force depends on the U.N. Security Council the focus for action shifts from the Human Rights Council to the Security Council. We appeal for vitally needed action now.
René Wadlow, Association of World Citizens
#The_UN_Goals #safeforall #apart #nvaction
