Sudan’s delegation participating in the 87th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, held in Banjul, called on the Commission’s chairperson to confront the negative external role supporting the war against Sudan, which it said has contributed to the deterioration of human rights conditions. The delegation also emphasized the importance of finding exclusively African and broadly acceptable solutions.
The remarks came during a meeting on Friday between the Sudanese delegation and Idrissa Sow, head of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights affiliated with the African Union.
The Sudanese delegation included Legal Adviser General Yasser Sayed Ahmed Al-Hassan, rapporteur of the National Human Rights Mechanism, and Ambassador Al-Zein Ibrahim Hussein, Sudan’s representative to the African Union.
The delegation presented an overview of the legal and institutional frameworks through which the Sudanese government works to protect and promote human rights via the National Human Rights Mechanism headed by the Minister of Justice. The mechanism includes all departments and institutions concerned with human rights, the protection of women’s, children’s, and persons with disabilities’ rights, as well as judicial and law enforcement bodies, in addition to the independent National Commission for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights.
The delegation also highlighted the support provided by the state to strengthen the commission’s capacity to address human rights issues despite current circumstances, especially in light of what it described as grave violations committed by the rebel Rapid Support Forces militia.
Furthermore, the delegation pointed to Sudan’s substantial contributions to joint African action through the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and other institutions. It reiterated its reservations regarding any joint investigation involving an African Union mission and any non-African mission, calling instead for stronger African solidarity and engagement.
For his part, Idrissa Sow welcomed the points raised by the Sudanese delegation and agreed with most of the perspectives and observations presented, affirming that they would receive serious consideration from the Commission. He also stressed his commitment to maintaining sound institutional performance, solidarity, and consultative solutions, emphasizing that the Commission’s efforts would be directed toward supporting these objectives and standing with Sudan and its people in pursuit of stability.
