NAIROBI (KAAB TV) – In a grim milestone, the conflict between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) has now entered its sixth month, marking October 15, 2023. Tragically, this prolonged conflict has led to the loss of over 5,000 civilian lives, left more than 12,000 individuals injured, and forcibly displaced over 5.7 million people.
Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, expressed deep concern over the ongoing crisis, stating, “Every day, civilians in Sudan are being killed and displaced as the conflict continues to rage; countless lives have been needlessly destroyed in the last six months.”
Chagutah emphasized the urgent need for justice and accountability in order to safeguard civilians. He asserted, “Justice and accountability are essential for the protection of civilians. The ongoing lack of accountability for past crimes is one of the root causes of this renewed violence.”
Acknowledging recent developments, Chagutah welcomed the Human Rights Council’s decision to establish an international accountability mechanism to collect and preserve evidence. He expressed hope for its swift implementation and called upon all conflict parties to cooperate with it, saying, “We urge all parties to the conflict to cooperate with it.”
Chagutah also called upon the UN Security Council to take action, stating, “The UN Security Council must urge all relevant actors to significantly increase humanitarian support for Sudan and demand the parties to allow the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid. The Security Council must also extend the existing arms embargo to all of Sudan and ensure its enforcement.”
Amnesty International has recently joined forces with over 50 human rights and humanitarian organizations, appealing to the international community to mobilize and address the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Sudan.
The conflict’s escalation in April 2023 followed a period of heightened tensions between the RSF and SAF during negotiations for security force reform and the establishment of a new transitional government. The RSF and SAF had jointly overthrown Sudan’s transitional government in October 2021.
In a comprehensive report published in August, Amnesty International documented extensive war crimes perpetrated by the RSF and SAF throughout the conflict. The report, titled ‘Death Came To Our Home: War Crimes and Civilian Suffering In Sudan‘, detailed civilian casualties resulting from deliberate and indiscriminate attacks by the warring factions. Additionally, it highlighted instances of sexual violence against women and girls, targeted attacks on civilian facilities like hospitals and churches, and widespread looting.