On Friday, February 23rd, the U.N. Human Rights Office reported that both sides in Sudan’s civil war have committed atrocities that could be classified as war crimes. The U.N. issued a report based on interviews with over 300 people, video footage, and satellite imagery. According to U.N. News, the report showed that both sides used highly destructive weapons with wide-area effects in densely populated areas, causing extensive damage. Reuters reported that these acts included attacks on civilian infrastructure, such as hospitals, markets, and camps for displaced people. The number of people displaced from their homes in Sudan has now reached 8 million, the highest for any conflict worldwide. According to Reuters, many of those attempting to flee the violence were caught in the attacks and became victims of explosive weapons.
In addition to the violence described in the report, numerous cases of sexual violence, ethnically targeted attacks, and assaults on women and children by both parties have been documented. Reuters noted that members of the Rapid Support Forces (R.S.F.) gang-raped women from the ethnic-African Masalit tribe at gunpoint. Additionally, Sudanese regular armed forces killed 26 civilians, including women and children, who were attempting to take shelter under a bridge. U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk stressed that ending the violence and resuming talks to establish a civilian-led government is crucial to resolving the conflict and protecting civilians. He also called for both sides to grant unrestricted access to humanitarian aid in areas under their control.
The only way to end the conflict in Sudan is through open and inclusive political negotiations between the warring parties to reach a consensus. However, efforts by the U.N. and the U.S. to facilitate negotiations have largely been unsuccessful. The international community must prioritize continuing these efforts while ensuring humanitarian aid can reach those affected. According to U.N. News, the $2.6 billion international humanitarian appeal for Sudan was only 24% funded in 2023.
Rebuilding Sudan’s infrastructure is also critical to creating a government where civilians have a political voice. Public services, such as banking and healthcare, have been severely affected, with 80% of hospitals currently not functioning, according to U.N. News. Looking forward, the international community must provide aid to restart these essential systems, ensuring civilians can access the services they need.
