The UN Investigates Disturbing Patterns of Abuse in Sudan’s Civil War
A team of UN investigators recently met with victims of violence in Sudan’s brutal civil war and documented disturbing patterns of grave abuses. The UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the situation in Sudan spent three weeks in Chad, gathering firsthand accounts of horrific acts of killings, sexual violence, arbitrary detention, torture, enforced disappearances, looting, burning of houses, and the use of child soldiers. The team also noted that professionals like lawyers, rights defenders, teachers, and doctors were particularly targeted, leading to forced displacement.
The conflict in Sudan has been ongoing for over a year between the regular military under army chief Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. Both sides have been accused of war crimes, including deliberately targeting civilians, indiscriminate shelling of residential areas, and blocking humanitarian aid as famine threatens the region.
The war, which began in April 2023, has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and uprooted more than 10 million people inside the country, with two million more fleeing across borders. Over 600,000 refugees have sought shelter in Chad alone. The UN experts emphasized the urgent need for the international community to step up efforts to end the conflict and bring perpetrators to justice.
Mission chair Mohamed Chande Othman stressed the importance of global support in addressing the crisis. The investigators called for immediate action to stop the violence and hold those responsible accountable for their actions. The team highlighted the plight of survivors who have endured unimaginable suffering and called for a coordinated international response to address the root causes of the conflict.
The fact-finding mission’s findings shed light on the dire situation in Sudan and underscored the urgent need for humanitarian assistance and protection for vulnerable populations. The international community must work together to ensure that those affected by the conflict receive the support and resources they need to rebuild their lives and communities.
As the conflict in Sudan continues to escalate, it is crucial for world leaders to prioritize peacebuilding efforts and promote dialogue among warring factions. The UN investigators’ report serves as a wake-up call to the global community to take decisive action to end the violence and prevent further atrocities in Sudan. It is time for the world to stand in solidarity with the people of Sudan and work towards a peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis.