Civilians under attack in Sudan: A robust AU response required

On the 5th day since the outbreak of fighting in Sudan between two military protagonists, the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), we as Africans for the Horn of Africa (#Af4HA) Initiative are deeply concerned that both the SAF and the RSF are employing unlawful means and methods of warfare, targeting Sudanese people and resulting in immense
suffering. Over 200 civilian deaths and thousands of injuries have been reported so far, with most
actors and reports from Sudanese indicating that this could be a significant underrepresentation
of the true death toll and injuries.

There have been numerous reports on the deliberate targeting of civilians and destruction of
civilian properties in the conduct of the hostilities, seriously undermining human rights and
humanitarian law. RSF tactics have involved using civilians and their properties as shields,
including evicting civilians at gunpoint and moving into their homes, to shield themselves from
the attacks of SAF. Similarly, the SAF airstrikes are targeting civilians, their shelters and their
properties, in densely populated areas, including civilian hospitals, which is resulting in death,
severe injury and damage to civilian property and infrastructure. The humanitarian situation
continues to deteriorate with the magnitude of human suffering rising by the day, as Sudanese lack access to basic essentials like food, water, electricity, and medical services. Reports also indicate that humanitarian agencies providing medical care have been attacked and medical supplies and equipment looted.

Both SAF and RSF have not abided by the two ceasefires they have committed to since the
outbreak of the violence, making it difficult for humanitarian access, and for the enforcement of
the response actions adopted by the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC), as well
as those of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the United Nations (UN).

We reiterate that this fighting, this war, is NOT a civil war! It is not a war initiated by the civilian
population. It is NOT a war over objectives and desires of the Sudanese people, who through their
various organically evolved methods and mechanisms such as the Resistance Committees, have
repeatedly articulated their aspirations and desires, central of which has been the call for a democratic transition to civilian rule. These desires and aspirations have been repeatedly ignored
by several interlocutors, leading to this unfortunate and terrible situation.

Af4HA reiterates that all possible action must be taken to convince the two armed groups
to cease hostilities immediately. The two Generals, their foot soldiers and their militias
must adhere to the principles of international humanitarian law in their conduct of
hostilities. Their attacks should not be directed towards civilians, and they must take all
precautions to protect Sudanese people against the effects of their attacks.

We call for an intensification of the response by the African Union and other actors to the
conflict, to a level that is commensurate with the violations and violence against the
Sudanese people, so as to prevent and mitigate further harm to civilians. We believe the African
Union has a robust set of tools that can still be deployed to respond to the elevated crisis in Sudan. We therefore urge the African Union and its Member States to:

 Immediately convene an emergency meeting of the PSC at the level of the Heads of
States and Government to consider amongst other options, the use of the African
Standby Force (ASF), so as to prevent further atrocities, and breathe life into the
purpose of Article 4(h) of the AU Constitutive Act;

 Immediately utilise the good offices of the African Union Chair, H.E. Azali Assoumani
of the Republic of Comoros, to take an active role in ameliorating the situation in
Sudan, and mobilising all the necessary mechanisms and resources for a robust
response;

 To consider serious sanctions and other deterrent measures against the individuals
responsible for the deliberate and unnecessary destruction of civilian properties, using
civilians as shields and deliberately causing the death and injury of Sudanese people;

 Publicly name and shame external actors known to be supporting parties to the conflict
through the supply of arms, ammunition and other implements of war, and enabling
the continuation of the armed actors’ intransigence and conflict;

 To seriously consider and include the demands of the Sudanese people, on the
resolution to the ongoing conflict.

For further information please contact Achieng Akena at achieng.akena@refugee-rights.org or Dismas Nkunda dismas.nkunda@gmail.com

About the Africans for the Horn Initiative (@Af4HA)
Africans for the Horn of Africa (Af4HA) Initiative is a solidarity platform established to amplify, citizen action and
voice in the response and resolution of the crises that increasingly plague the Horn of Africa. Given the regional
dimension of most conflicts in the Horn of Africa, it is important that Africans in the Horn of Africa unite and engage collaboratively, in engaging and articulating the necessary policy recommendations and action with governments, national, regional and international organisations striving for peace, security and good governance in Africa. The Initiative was born out of recognition of the need to facilitate and strengthen engagement by Africans in ongoing processes seeking to address conflicts and governance challenges in the Horn of Africa region. The Initiative is led by four non-governmental African organisations; Atrocities Watch Africa (AWA), Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU), the African Leadership Centre (ALC) and the International Refugee Rights Initiative (IRRI)