The Mushad Observatory expressed deep concern over ongoing attempts by the Rapid Support Forces militia to exert pressure on humanitarian organizations, including imposing mandatory registration procedures or demanding financial payments in exchange for allowing them to operate. It described these actions as a blatant violation of the principles of international humanitarian law and the norms governing humanitarian work, directly undermining the independence and neutrality of relief efforts.
In a post on its Facebook page, the Observatory stated that such practices pose a serious threat to the safety of humanitarian workers and systematically obstruct the delivery of aid to civilians in need, at a time when Sudan is experiencing an extremely complex humanitarian situation.
It added that imposing arbitrary restrictions, financial or administrative extortion on humanitarian work constitutes a grave violation that may amount to war crimes under international humanitarian law, as it represents a deliberate obstruction of aid delivery to civilians.
The Mushad Observatory warned all humanitarian organizations and agencies against responding to any unlawful demands or entering into financial or administrative commitments outside internationally recognized humanitarian frameworks. It stressed that complying with such pressures could result in legal and ethical liabilities, including indirect complicity in entrenching these violations, thereby undermining state sovereignty in a manner inconsistent with its obligations under international humanitarian law.
The Observatory emphasized the need for all parties to adhere to international legal obligations, foremost among them ensuring the safe, rapid, and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance, and respecting the core principles of humanitarian work: humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence.
In this context, the Mushad Observatory called on the African Union, IGAD, the United Nations, the European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, and all international and humanitarian partners to take urgent and effective measures to ensure the protection of civilians, halt these practices immediately, and guarantee the delivery of humanitarian aid without restrictions or pressure.
The Observatory concluded that protecting humanitarian work is both a legal and moral international obligation that must not be compromised, warning that the continuation of such violations threatens to worsen the humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan and necessitates activating international accountability mechanisms to ensure an end to impunity.
