Populations in Sudan are at risk of atrocity crimes due to escalating inter-communal and localized violence. Ongoing political instability and the use of lethal force against civilians by security forces and affiliated militias also pose a threat to populations.
Inter-communal and localized violence in Sudan’s Darfur and Kordofan regions and Blue Nile State has escalated since October 2021, resulting in civilian casualties, destruction of property and human rights violations. During 2022 at least 991 people were killed and more than 310,300 displaced due to inter-communal violence in Darfur, Kordofan and Blue Nile states, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The UN Secretary-General also reported that 524 security incidents were recorded between 21 August and 17 November 2022, including those resulting from inter-communal violence, armed conflict and criminality. Tensions in these regions increased following the termination of the UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) in December 2020 and the re-deployment of security forces to Khartoum and other cities following a 2021 military coup.
Under the leadership of General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, on 25 October the military in Sudan overthrew and dissolved the joint civilian-military transitional Sovereign Council. At the time of the coup, General Burhan had been serving as the head of the Sovereign Council, which had come to power in August 2019 after country-wide protests brought an end to then President Omar al-Bashir’s 30-year rule that April.
Since the coup, millions of protesters have demonstrated across the country, demanding the reinstatement of a genuine civilian-led government. While attempting to curb the ongoing demonstrations, security forces have been accused of repeatedly using excessive and deadly violence against protesters, including tear gas and lethal weapons, such as AK-47 assault rifles and machine guns. Security forces have also perpetrated sexual and gender-based violence. At least 124 people have been killed and thousands injured by security forces while hundreds of protesters have also been unlawfully detained and dozens forcibly disappeared.
Following the 2021 coup, the African Union (AU) suspended Sudan. Several states and multilateral organizations, including the United States, World Bank and International Monetary Fund, paused foreign aid and halted disbursements. On 5 November 2021 the UN Human Rights Council held a special session and adopted a resolution that designated an Expert on Human Rights to monitor and report on the situation in Sudan.
The violence in the Darfur and Kordofan regions and Blue Nile State has deep historical roots. For decades, the Arab-dominated government imposed its control on ethnic minorities, exploited ethnic divisions and armed Arab militias, resulting in deadly conflicts. During his dictatorship, former President Bashir and other government officials were responsible for crimes against humanity, war crimes and acts of genocide. The UN Security Council (UNSC) has imposed an arms embargo on Darfur since 2004 and sanctions on three individuals since 2006. Following a 2005 UNSC referral, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for three Sudanese officials, including Bashir and two anti-government militia leaders, for atrocities perpetrated in Darfur. On 5 April 2022 the ICC opened the trial of the former Janjaweed leader, Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman (Ali Kushayb) – the Court’s first trial concerning potential war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Darfur.
Fighting has increased in scope and expanded to new areas in Blue Nile State. During January various attacks between a diversity of communities were reported, including in North and West Darfur and West and South Kordofan, resulting in civilians being killed, injured and displaced.
The Trilateral Mechanism – a group consisting of the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS), the AU and Intergovernmental Authority on Development – has been mediating between parties in an attempt to restore a civilian government. On 7 January 2023 the Sudanese military and civilian leaders launched the final phase in the political process toward restoring a civilian-led transition.
On 23 January the Chief Prosecutor of the ICC reported to the UNSC that cooperation between the Court and Sudanese authorities has deteriorated. The Memorandum of Understanding signed during the Prosecutor’s visit to Khartoum in 2022 remains outstanding and new administrative hurdles, including issuing visa for ICC staff, have emerged.
With more than 500 different ethnic groups in Sudan, inter-communal clashes involve a wide and diverse set of communities. The root causes of inter-communal violence and tensions stem from competition over shrinking resources and pastoral land, decades of political manipulation and a culture of impunity for atrocity crimes. The consequent risk of attacks, killings and sexual violence has been exacerbated by the proliferation of weapons throughout the country. Local authorities lack the capacity and resources to ensure the protection of civilians, and state institutions have been weakened by the protracted conflict.
While the ousting of Bashir and the subsequent peace process provided an opportunity to begin addressing the root causes of the conflict, as well as the risk of further hostilities and recurring atrocity crimes in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile states, communities have been left vulnerable to attack. The security situation was further exacerbated after the 2021 coup, creating a security vacuum in Darfur and other peripheral regions. More than a year after the coup, demonstrators and other populations continue to face grave human rights violations that may amount to atrocities. While the Sovereign Council and the leaders of the Sudan Revolutionary Front – a coalition of armed groups from Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile – signed a historic peace agreement (Juba Agreement) in October 2020, the Sudanese military’s limited progress on implementing relevant provisions has stalled peacebuilding efforts.
Security forces in Sudan have a history of violent crackdowns on protests and dissent. During mass demonstrations against military rule between December 2018 and August 2019, security forces killed more than 200 people and arrested thousands. Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagolo, a member of the Sovereign Council involved in the 25 October coup, is implicated in atrocities committed as commander of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces during the decades of conflict in the Darfur region and beyond.
The Sudanese authorities need to urgently implement the National Plan for the Protection of Civilians and the Juba Peace Agreement in order to provide safety and security for civilians in the Darfur, Blue Nile and Kordofan regions.
Security forces should protect the fundamental right to peaceful assembly and refrain from using excessive and deadly force against protesters. All those unlawfully detained or placed under house arrest should be released immediately. The international community should support and invest in a credible political transition that respects the people’s desire for democracy. The UNSC must continue to closely monitor the precarious security situation in Sudan and call upon the Sudanese authorities to restore a credible civilian-led government.
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