UN Fact-Finding Mission in Sudan Recommends Arms Embargo and Deployment of Protection Force

moaatinoun (Citizens)
The United Nations Fact-Finding Mission in Sudan has accused both parties in the conflict of committing a "horrific range of human rights violations and international crimes, many of which may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity." The mission has recommended the deployment of a peacekeeping force to protect civilians, an expansion of the existing arms embargo in Darfur to cover all of Sudan, and the establishment of a separate international judicial mechanism to work alongside the International Criminal Court (ICC).

In a statement released on Thursday, the missions chairperson, Mohamed Chande Othman, stated, "The gravity of the findings in our report underscores the urgent and pressing need for actions to protect civilians."

The mission reported that "the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, along with their allied forces, are responsible for widespread patterns of violations, including indiscriminate and direct attacks through airstrikes and shelling on civilians, schools, hospitals, communication networks, and vital water and electricity supply systems."

The mission also found reasonable grounds to believe that the Rapid Support Forces and allied armed groups committed additional war crimes, including sexual slavery, the recruitment of children into the conflict, persecution based on ethnicity and gender, and the forced displacement of populations. It noted that the Sudanese authorities efforts to investigate and bring those responsible for international crimes to justice are selective and biased, which will make achieving accountability for victims a significant challenge.

The statement was based on a 19-page report drawing on "direct testimonies from over 182 survivors, family members, and eyewitnesses, as well as extensive consultations with specialized experts and civil society organizations, and the corroboration and analysis of evidence through additional information provided to the mission." The investigations included visits to Chad, Kenya, and Uganda.

The statement highlighted that the conflict has spread to 14 of Sudans 18 states, resulting in the death and injury of tens of thousands of civilians and the displacement and refugee crisis affecting millions of Sudanese both inside and outside the country. It also noted that both parties to the conflict have exacerbated the crisis by obstructing access to humanitarian aid.

Mission member Joy Ngozi Ezeilo stated, "The Sudanese people are enduring an unimaginable tragedy. A sustainable ceasefire must be prioritized to end the fighting that has trapped civilians and to effectively deliver humanitarian aid to those in dire need across various locations."

Mission member Mona Rishmawi added, "The findings of this investigation should serve as a clarion call for the international community to take decisive action in supporting survivors, their families, affected communities, and holding perpetrators accountable. A comprehensive approach to transitional justice must be pursued to address the root causes of the conflict and achieve accountability."

It is worth noting that the UN Human Rights Council established the independent international fact-finding mission for Sudan in July 2023 for a one-year term. The mission consists of three members: Mohamed Chande Othman from Tanzania as Chair, Joy Ngozi Ezeilo from Nigeria, and Mona Rishmawi, a Jordanian-Swiss national.