By Bethany Morley / GICJ
In Sudan a power struggle between rival groups has resulted in a further escalation of violence in the country, exacerbating the effects of decades of conflict in the country. As hostilities enter the second week, violence and human rights violations are increasing leading to the deaths of at least 413 people and over 3,500 injuries [1].Mass displacement and the suspension of critical humanitarian aid has become more common in recent weeks. Despite calls for a ceasefire, intense fighting continues, destabilising the region, exacerbating insecurity, and jeopardising Sudan’s relations with its neighbours.
The recent series of fighting erupted in the capital, Khartoum, and in other strategic areas throughout the country such as the capitals sister city Omduman between two rival groups: The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), the de facto leader of whom is General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and a paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the leader of whom is General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.
The conflict is a result of a continual power struggle between the two leaders since the signing of a ‘framework agreement’ to create a new two-year civilian transitional authority following a military-led coup in 2022 which resulted in the toppling of a transitional government introduced by dictator Omar al-Bashir in 2019. The power struggle is a result of disagreements over who would assume leadership of the newly consolidated military and the exercise of power in the state.. Following an impasse in negotiations, tensions between the two leaders in the weeks leading up to the current violence rose rapidly.
Violations, mass displacement and suspension of humanitarian operations
As we enter the 10th consecutive day of violence, there has reportedly been a startling increase in displacement. Reports estimate that between 7,500 and 8,000 people have been displaced from El Obeid and are currently seeking refuge [2], with a higher estimated number of 10,000 to 20,000 displaced people in North Darfur’s capital of El Fasher [3].
Since the beginning of the escalation of violence, humanitarian workers and assets have been targeted, resulting in the suspension of humanitarian operations and aid. United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, reminded the parties of their international obligations to ensure the safety and security of aid workers [4].
Due to the suspension of humanitarian operations, there are increasing concerns being raised regarding the scarcity of food, fuel, medical care and other essential supplies. Humanitarian needs in Sudan are at record levels, with nearly one-third of the population, almost 16 million people, requiring assistance.
The crisis thus far has disrupted critical lifesaving care, making it near impossible for many medical facilities to function. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreuesus, director of the World Health Organisation, expressed deep concern over the reports of forces occupying health facilities, underlining that attacks on healthcare are a flagrant violation of international law [5]. UNFPA Regional Director Laila Bakur, estimated that there are approximately 219,000 mothers-to-be in Khartoum alone [6].With little being done in terms of the provision of care, women and unborn babies are at serious risk of not being able to access safe delivery.
Furthermore, the continuation of violence will push millions into hunger and acute malnutrition. The World Food Programme (WFP) has reportedly planned to support 7.6 million people in Sudan this year, however, due to the fighting, operations have had to halt. This will prevent teams from being able to deliver critical emergency goods and prevent/treat malnutrition. It has been estimated that around 50,000 children are already suffering from acute malnutrition in the country, and need ongoing round-the-clock care. The efforts to help those most in need have been halted since the violence [7].
Sudan’s History of Violence and Power Struggles
Since its independence in 1956, Sudan has been marked by protracted conflict, violence, insecurity and a heavy reliance on foreign aid. A coup in 1989 resulted in Omar al-Bashir establishing a dictatorship which lasted for 30 years.
In 2022, a military led-coup, by the SAF and RSF, ended a transitional government introduced by al-Bashir in 2019. Following protests demanding a comprehensive transitional process that respects the people’s demands for accountability, peace, and justice, the two groups signed a ‘framework agreement’ to create a new two-year civilian transitional authority. Since then Sudan has been run by the army, the de facto ruler being General Abdel-Fattah Burhan. General Dagalo rose to power within the RSF in the early 2000s. He was previously head of the militia Janjaweed. The Janjaweed militia group have been responsible for human right atrocities in the Darfur region, beginning in early 2003 when the region descended into genocidal conflict [8]. The government carried out a campaign of ethnic cleansing against non-Arabs.
Both Dagalo, as head of the RSF, and de-facto leader of Sudan and the SAF’s General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has faced multiple accusations of overseeing and facilitating the 2019 military crackdown of pro-democracy activists that resulted in the death of hundreds, with thousands more being injured.
International communities’ interferences
Though there has been quick mobilisation by the international community in calling for the violence to cease, reportedly, some Sudanese people have also expressed anger that Western countries have seemingly prioritised evacuating their people over trying to stop the fighting [9].
On Sunday the 23rd of April, the United Kingdom airlifted its diplomats out of Sudan, leaving British citizens behind to wait for further instruction. It has been estimated that between 3,000 and 4,000 British nationals are in Sudan, of whom at least 1,000 had asked for help to leave [10]. The British nationals left have only been communicated with twice via computer-generated messages in the past week of high levels of conflict and violence, displaying a lack of urgency. The actions of the United Kingdom are worryingly reciprocating the serious systematic failures in Afghanistan by the UK Foreign Office in August 2021. In 2021 tens of thousands were unable to access British help and more were left to become victims of conflict in Afghanistan. It seems as though the United Kingdom is yet to learn from its previous mistakes, putting those in Sudan at high risk.
Position of Geneva International Centre for Justice
Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ) strongly condemns the ongoing hostilities in Sudan which has caused serious human rights violations including death, mass displacement and the suspension of humanitarian operations putting hundreds of thousands of civilians at increased risk. We urge the conflicting parties to respect the need for immediate medical care and humanitarian assistance.
The government has yet to show that it is willing or able to protect civilians or to hold perpetrators accountable, we reinforce the need to strengthen the institutional capacity of the state to uphold the rule of law to hold parties who commit such violence accountable. Further, we urge the Sudanese government forces and RSF members who are responsible for launching attacks to respect international humanitarian law. We implore all parties to the conflict to abide by their obligations to constitute peace-building mechanisms and conflict resolution methods to establish peace and put an end to these human rights violations.
The international community, UN Mechanisms and NGOs must commit themselves to help those suffering at the hands of increased violence in Sudan and call for a stop to the ongoing hostilities.
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[1]https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-news/article/ocha-400-dead-mass-displacements-amid-sudan-clashes
[2] https://www.usip.org/publications/2023/04/whats-behind-fighting-sudan
[3] https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-news/article/ocha-400-dead-mass-displacements-amid-sudan-clashes
[4] https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-news/article/ocha-400-dead-mass-displacements-amid-sudan-clashes
[5] https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/04/1135857
[6] https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/04/1135857
[7] https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/04/1135857
[8] https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/04/1135857
[9] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/apr/24/uk-evacuation-sudan-british-nationals
[10] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/apr/24/uk-evacuation-sudan-british-nationals
