Bulletin No. 29
Crisis Unfolding in Sudan: Urgent Calls for UN Action
Introduction
The situation in Sudan has taken a dire turn as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continue their military campaign, reaching El Fasher, the last major city in Darfur still beyond their control. For over 200 days, conflict has plagued Sudan, with the United Nations Security Council yet to adopt a substantive resolution to address the crisis. The latest talks in Jeddah have yielded only minor confidence-building measures, leaving civilians vulnerable to mass atrocities.
Discussion
The RSF's encroachment into El Fasher marks a significant escalation in the conflict that has gripped Sudan since April. The locally mediated ceasefire, which maintained relative stability, shattered in the face of recent clashes between RSF, Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), and other armed groups north of El Fasher. Disturbing reports indicate civilian casualties from aerial bombardments and RSF shelling.
Human Rights Violations and War Crimes: Throughout Darfur, the RSF and allied Arab militias stand accused of grave human rights violations, including deliberate executions, sexual violence, looting, and burning of towns. These actions blatantly violate international humanitarian law, bearing resemblance to war crimes under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) such as Article 6 (Right to Life) and Article 7 (Freedom from Torture or Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) Article 11 (Right to an Adequate Standard of Living), depriving communities of their homes and livelihoods
Ardamata Massacre Raises Alarms
The recent massacre in Ardamata, where RSF and allied militias targeted Masalit civilians, underscores the urgent need for intervention. Survivors report ethnically motivated killings, looting, and detentions, reminiscent of atrocities documented in previous RSF-led offensives.
Reports of the targeted detention of individuals based on ethnicity in Ardamata violate ICCPR Articles 9 (Right against unfair detention), 20 (Prohibition of violence based on discrimination), and 26 (Equality Before the Law). Additionally, the looting and destruction constitute a breach of ICESCR Article 12 (Right to the Highest Attainable Standard of Physical and Mental Health).
Urgent UN Response Needed
As the RSF advances towards El Fasher, there are calls for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to urgently mobilise the UN country team in Sudan to protect the hundreds of thousands seeking refuge in the city. Simultaneously, the UN Security Council must take decisive steps to prevent further atrocities.
Renewing UNITAMS Mandate: The Security Council should condemn the war crimes committed over the past six months and renew and retool the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) mandate. Expanding the mission's duties to include robust civilian protection measures is imperative. The absence of a top executive since September underscores the urgency of this action.
Enforcing Arms Embargo: To curtail the influx of weapons into Darfur, the Security Council must enforce its arms embargo and sanction countries involved in arms trafficking in the region.
As the UN Secretary-General presents options for the future of the UN mission in Sudan, concerns arise that Sudan is pushing to shut down UNITAMS. The Security Council must carefully consider the implications, ensuring any decision aligns with the evolving situation on the ground.
Conclusion
With El Fasher under imminent threat, the international community must unite in condemning the violence and pushing for robust UN action. The Security Council's response will be a litmus test of its commitment to preventing further atrocities in Sudan, and a failure to act decisively could have devastating consequences for civilians caught in the crossfire. It is not merely a diplomatic exercise; it is a lifeline for the countless Sudanese families clinging to hope amid the chaos.
Charity Spotlight
Human Appeal
Human Appeal is a non-profit organisation working across the globe to strengthen humanity’s fight against poverty, social injustice and natural disasters. They do this through the provision of immediate relief and the establishment of self-sustaining development programmes.
They are on the ground in Sudan providing lifesaving food, emergency care, and protection to the most vulnerable children affected by the violence. They support 5 orphanages in Khartoum, providing protection and support to children, including babies, orphans, and teachers.
To donate and to learn more about their initiatives check out their website: https://humanappeal.org.uk/appeals/sudan-emergency-appeal?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA35urBhDCARIsAOU7QwkeuQDpSVJj5JBdC1hTkUjOKyx0XSqQfygPaAYIsm8cG_mo8okVXuIaApOcEALw_wcB
Internal Opportunities
The UOM Sudanese Society, in collaboration with other Sudanese societies across universities in the UK are raising money to aid hospitals and families directly with a lack of water and electricity as well as the ongoing economic crisis since 2019.
Kindly click here to donate: https://www.gofundme.com/f/HelpingSudanOrg
External Opportunities
Sudanese Solidarity Organisation
The Sudanese Solidarity Organisation is composed of a group of refugees and asylum seekers whose life was afflicted by the civil war in Sudan. They offer practical support to members of the Sudanese community both in Great Manchester and throughout the UK, dealing with issues such as family reunion, and family/child difficulties. They also support Sudanese people outside the UK, including within Sudan but also in the diaspora such as in South Sudan, Chad, Niger, and Egypt. This includes fundraising and promoting peace-making initiatives.
To Donate: https://www.sso-support.org.uk/donate74d5835f
To Volunteer: https://www.sso-support.org.uk/volunteer-application-form
