International Mission Recommends Deploying Force to Protect Civilians in Sudan
Sudan Events – Follow-up
On Friday, an international mission recommended an arms embargo, expanding the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to cover all of Sudan, and deploying a peacekeeping force to protect civilians as fierce fighting continues between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The United Nations Independent Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan issued its first 19-page report following investigations and interviews conducted between January and August 2024, including visits to Chad, Kenya, and Uganda. The mission interviewed around 182 survivors, family members, and witnesses and held extensive consultations with experts and civil society members.
The head of the UN mission, Mohamed Chande Othman, emphasized the need for an independent and neutral force to protect civilians without delay, as the warring factions have failed to safeguard them. He stressed the importance of civilian protection and called for immediate and unconditional compliance with international law to stop attacks on civilians.
Othman praised efforts to bring parties to the negotiation table, stating that “the Sudanese people deserve a future marked by peace, prosperity, and respect for human rights.” He urged the international community to support Sudan’s aspiration for an inclusive and representative civilian government, essential for advancing equality, justice, and lasting peace in Sudan.
The report recommended expanding the existing arms embargo on Darfur, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1556 (2004), to cover the entire country, in order to stop the flow of arms, ammunition, and logistical or financial support to the warring factions and prevent further escalation.
It warned those involved in providing weapons that they might be complicit in serious human rights violations and breaches of international humanitarian law.
The report also called on Sudanese authorities to cooperate with the ICC and hand over all accused individuals, including former President Omar al-Bashir. Additionally, it advocated expanding the ICC’s jurisdiction, as per UN Security Council Resolution 1593 (2005) concerning Darfur, to encompass all of Sudan.
The report further recommended establishing a separate international judicial mechanism to work alongside and complement the ICC.
It accused the warring parties of targeting civilians and volunteers assisting survivors or documenting violations, through acts such as rape, other forms of sexual violence, arbitrary detention, and torture. The report indicated that these violations could amount to war crimes involving attacks on life, personal dignity, and other grave abuses.
