GENEVA - Sudan's warring parties must commit to an immediate cease-fire, end attacks on civilians and ensure unimpeded access to humanitarian assistance for millions of people in desperate need of aid, the UN Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan said today, as the deadly conflict edges into its second year.
Fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces has killed thousands of civilians since it began on 15 April 2023. Over six million people have been displaced internally, while almost two million refugees have fled to neighbouring countries. Nearly 24 million people are in need of aid, with 18 million suffering crisis levels of food insecurity, according to the UN.
"It's beyond time for this devastating war to stop," said Mohamed Chande Othman, chair of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan. "The warring parties must bring an immediate end to all violence, including sexual and gender-based violence, and hold the perpetrators of serious human rights violations accountable for their acts."
"Sudan's warring parties are legally obligated to protect civilians, but they have shown little regard for doing so," Othman said. "We are now investigating alarming reports of repeated attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and schools."
The Fact-Finding Mission said attacks on aid convoys and infrastructure have been reported in what appear to be clear violations of international humanitarian law.
"Aid agencies are persevering even though there have been attacks and looting of humanitarian convoys, personnel and warehouses," said Mona Rishmawi, an expert member of the Mission.
"We are also investigating the deliberate blocking of humanitarian assistance destined for civilians living in areas controlled by the opposite side," Rishmawi said. "The parties to the conflict must ensure and facilitate safe, free and unimpeded humanitarian access to civilian populations in grave need."
Food security analysts have warned of a serious risk of famine, in particular in parts of the Darfur region. Cereal harvests have dropped by almost half compared to last year, and the price of grain has already doubled or tripled in war-affected areas, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization.
"If rural populations cannot safely remain on their land to plant their crops or tend to their livestock, we will see a catastrophe," said expert member Joy Ezeilo.
The Fact-Finding Mission noted the upcoming International Humanitarian Conference for Sudan and its Neighbours, which is due to be held in Paris on 15 April. The Mission hopes that the massive shortfall in donor funding, which has so far only covered six percent of the estimated 2.7 billion US dollars needed to address the crisis, will soon be addressed.
Noting that Sudan's warring parties have failed to heed the UN Security Council's call for a cessation of hostilities during the month of Ramadan, the Fact-Finding Mission's experts called for an immediate ceasefire and urged them to commit to a comprehensive peace process.
The experts also urged UN Member States to exert their influence on the warring parties to stop the fighting and immediately restore peace, justice and democracy in Sudan.
Reaffirming the imperative of ensuring accountability, the experts emphasized their commitment to fulfil their mandate to establish the facts, circumstances and root causes of all violations committed in relation to the conflict and to identify individuals and entities responsible.
"The Sudanese people have endured enough," Othman said. "The warring parties must find a path for peace and respect for human rights in Sudan."
Background: The Human Rights Council established the Fact-Finding Mission in October, through resolution A/HRC/RES/54/2. One of its key tasks is "to investigate and establish the facts, circumstances and root causes of all alleged human rights violations and abuses and violations of international humanitarian law, including those committed against refugees, and related crimes in the context of the ongoing armed conflict that began on 15 April 2023, between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, as well as other warring parties." The three experts were appointed by the President of the Human Rights Council. The Mission, which was established for an initial duration of one year, was further requested to collect and analyse evidence in view of any future legal proceedings; to identify, where possible, individuals and entities responsible; and to make recommendations with a view to ending impunity and ensuring accountability and access to justice for victims.
