Sudan: A Strong Presence at Arab Forums

Sudan participated in the 40th session of the Arab Justice Ministers’ Council, which was held recently at the headquarters of the Arab League Secretariat in Cairo, with a delegation led by Minister of Justice Dr. Moawia Osman Mohamed Khair. Additionally, Minister of Social Development Ahmed Adam Beheyt participated in the fourth high-level ministerial meeting on Women, Peace, and Security in Cairo. Sudan’s active participation in these Arab conferences highlights its importance to the Arab states and its effective role in the Arab region.

The 40th session of the Arab Justice Ministers’ Council discussed several key items, including the Arab Convention on the Suppression of Terrorism, its implementation mechanisms, the Arab Convention on Combating Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism, and the Arab Convention on Cybercrime, along with several draft laws and agreements. During the session, Sudan’s Minister of Justice, Dr. Moawia Osman Mohamed Khair, delivered an extensive speech highlighting the grave human rights violations committed by the rebel Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia against civilians in Sudan.

The Arab League (Social Affairs Sector – Women’s Department), in partnership with the United Nations Women, organized the Fourth High-Level Ministerial Conference on Women, Peace, and Security at the Arab League’s General Secretariat headquarters on November 27-28, 2024. The conference, held under the theme “Enhancing Protection and Comprehensive Response to the Needs of Women in Conflict Zones: Women Facing Wars,” coincided with the 25th anniversary of the adoption of Security Council Resolution 1325, which emphasizes the role of women in achieving peace and security. The conference discussed the impact of armed conflicts and humanitarian crises on women and girls in the Arab region, especially amid increasing instability and crises. It also aimed to strengthen the protection of women, meet their needs, and expedite the implementation of the women, peace, and security agenda in the region.

Minister of Social Development, Ahmed Adam Beheyt, called on the international community to fully assume its responsibility regarding the brutal campaign and the horrific violations committed by the rebel Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia against defenseless civilians, particularly women and children, including killings, looting, sexual assault, kidnapping, and the sale of women. This came during his participation as Sudan’s representative in the Fourth High-Level Ministerial Conference on Women, Peace, and Security, which was organized by the Arab League General Secretariat in Cairo. The conference witnessed the participation of several ministers and representatives of national mechanisms for women’s affairs. This conference is part of the Arab League’s support for women in conflict-affected countries, updating the Arab strategy on Arab women and peace and security. During his speech in the first session of the ministerial conference, the minister addressed the suffering of women and human rights violations in times of war, armed conflict, and instability.

Over the two days, the conference was attended by several ministers, heads of national women’s affairs mechanisms from Arab countries, high-ranking figures from international and regional organizations, UN agencies concerned with women, foreign diplomats, experts, and specialists. The conference also included ambassadors and female diplomats who are members of the Arab Women Mediators for Peace Network, as well as representatives from the Emergency Committee.

The conference included five interactive sessions, addressing the challenges and opportunities faced by women’s issues and development, efforts to support women in the peace and security agenda, and key issues such as protecting women from violence in conflict times and enhancing their roles in peace processes and reconstruction. The first ministerial interactive session discussed the suffering of women and human rights violations under Israeli occupation, wars, armed conflicts, and instability.