Sudan: Time for the African Commission to Lead on Justice, Protection and Accountability

83rd Ordinary Session.

Banjul, 02nd - 22nd May 2025

OMCT and AWAFY have drawn urgent attention to the grave and escalating human rights crisis in Sudan, calling on this Commission to take concrete and coordinated action to protect civilians, ensure accountability, and uphold justice.

Mr. Chairperson,
Honorable Commissioners,
Distinguished Delegates,

It is an honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the World Organization Against Torture (OMCT) and the AWAFY Sudanese Organization, the two organizations are working to document human rights violations and promote justice and accountability in Sudan.

Since the outbreak of armed conflict in mid-April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which began in Khartoum and quickly spread across the country, Sudan has witnessed an unprecedented wave of grave violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, including the four Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols.

Between June 2023 and April 2025, in states such as Darfur, Al-Jazira, and Sennar, we have documented a severe deterioration in security conditions accompanied by systematic patterns of violations against civilians. These include extrajudicial killings, assassinations, arbitrary detention, abductions, torture, forced displacement, enforced disappearances, and sexual violence, including rape. Civilians and civilian infrastructure have been deliberately targeted, humanitarian convoys looted and obstructed, and human rights defenders lawyers, journalists, community leaders, camp coordinators, and social media activists have come under attack.

Our organizations, alongside international reports by Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), have documented the deliberate shelling of displacement camps, including Zamzam and AbShook in North Darfur and Hassahisa IDPs Camp in Central Darfur, by RSF forces.

The RSF has also committed crimes that may amount to genocide, particularly in the city of El Geneina against the Masalit community, and in Wad al-Noura in Al-Jazira State. Other grave violations have taken place in areas such as Al-Salha and Al-Jumaiya in Omdurman.

Additionally, Sudan Shield Forces, allied with the SAF, have been responsible for violations against residents of the "Kanabi" areas in Al-Jazira State. Sudanese Armed Forces airstrikes on Turrah, Kabkabiya, and Nyala have resulted in significant civilian casualties and material losses. RSF drone attacks have also recently targeted civilian infrastructure.

According to verified testimonies, the RSF is responsible for over 80% of the documented violations, particularly in Darfur, where it has controlled four out of five states since October 2023, and is currently attempting to seize El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur.

In light of these grave developments, we recommend the following to this esteemed Commission:

1. Urge the African Union Commission to establish a joint (African-national) civilian protection mechanism to monitor violations, coordinate humanitarian responses, and protect civilians across Sudan.
2. Call for an urgent and transparent investigation into the involvement of the United Arab Emirates in the Sudanese conflict and take necessary steps to halt its military support to the RSF, given its threat to regional peace and security.
3. Call on all parties to the conflict to fully and unconditionally respect international humanitarian law and cease the deliberate targeting of civilians and civilian objects.
4. Strengthen the mandate and field presence of the African Commission's Fact-Finding Mission, particularly in Darfur, to ensure comprehensive documentation, accountability, and justice.
5. Activate all relevant special mechanisms of the Commission, including protocols and special rapporteurs, to support and protect human rights defenders, victims, and their families.
6. Urge the international community to provide urgent and effective humanitarian assistance to displaced persons and refugees, and ensure safe, unhindered access to aid, particularly in displacement camps inside Sudan and in neighboring countries.
7. Emphasize the unconditional delivery of humanitarian and medical assistance, and the provision of psychosocial support services for survivors of torture and sexual violence.

Mr. Chairperson,

The situation in Sudan constitutes a humanitarian and human rights tragedy that demands urgent and decisive action. We trust that this Commission will continue to uphold its historical role in defending the rights of victims and marginalized communities, ending impunity, and contributing to justice and sustainable peace in Sudan.

Thank you.