The UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) for Sudan has found reasonable grounds to believe that war crimes and crimes against humanity have been committed in Sudan since April 2023.
The FFM was established in October 2023 to investigate human rights violations committed since 15 April 2023, when war broke out between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict erupted as both parties were due to merge under an internationally supported framework agreement that would have paved the way to a civilian-led transition.
The FFM’s report details violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law committed by both the SAF and the RSF since conflict broke out that meet the threshold of war crimes and crimes against humanity. These violations include the targeting of civilians, inhuman and degrading treatment, forced displacement of civilians and the recruitment of children in conflict.
The FFM has experienced challenges related to the UN’s liquidity crisis at the end of 2023 that resulted in the mission being understaffed and not fully operational during its reporting period. Nevertheless, it has presented a detailed report with significant findings and recommendations to UN institutions, calling for the extension of an arms embargo on the entire country and the roll out of a peacekeeping mission to protect civilians.
CSW’s UN Officer Claire Denman said: ‘Despite operational challenges, the FFM’s work in collecting and preserving evidence of violations of human rights and international humanitarian law by all parties to the conflict is invaluable. We strongly urge the Human Rights Council to extend its mandate and ensure it is sufficiently staffed and resourced. An extension of the mandate would allow for the investigation of thematic areas where war crimes and crimes against humanity may be occurring, such as the targeting of individuals or groups due to their religion or belief, and attacks on places of worship.’
The report also highlights the plight of women and girls, noting the particular risk of sexual and gender-based violence that they face. The reporting indicates that conflict-related sexual violence is being perpetrated by both the RSF and SAF and highlights the total absence of protection for women and girls.
Crucially, the report places the current conflict in the context of decades of war, discrimination and exclusionary politics in Sudan, and recommends that action is taken to address impunity and tackle the injustices of the past that have fed into the cycles of conflict.
Claire Denman continued: ‘The conclusion and implementation of a monitored unconditional ceasefire is a key immediate step towards ending the suffering and supporting efforts to address the dire humanitarian situation that has brought millions to the verge of starvation. However, this must be coupled with a democratic and inclusive transition that centres the voices of women, youth and historically marginalised communities.’
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