OCHA Sudan: Statement of Commitments adopted in Jeddah & new OCHA Humanitarian Forum for Sudan

Press Release

Source: OCHA

Posted Tuesday, 7 Nov 2023 - here is a copy in full:

Statement by the Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan on Statement of Commitments adopted in Jeddah

(Port Sudan, 7 November 2023) The Statement of Commitments adopted in Jeddah today by the parties to the conflict in Sudan marks a moment of truth for the country. The promises made by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) – to protect civilians and provide unimpeded humanitarian access – are promises that must be kept.

I thank the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United States, and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development – representing IGAD and the African Union – for their role in facilitating these critical negotiations.

In particular, I welcome the agreement to establish a Humanitarian Forum for Sudan led by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs representing the humanitarian community and with the participation of the parties to the conflict. The forum will further facilitate the implementation of the commitments made in Jeddah.

It comes -and not a moment too soon. After almost seven months of war, half of Sudan’s population – nearly 25 million people – need humanitarian assistance. Displacement, disease and sexual violence are rampant.

The tangible commitments agreed by the SAF and RSF today must now be followed by immediate and tangible actions. It is critical that the obstacles – bureaucratic and otherwise – that keep us from delivering life-saving relief at speed and at scale are cleared away once and for all.

We must have reliable guarantees from all parties to ensure that relief items, humanitarian workers and assets can move safely across conflict lines. We simply cannot reach Khartoum, Darfur, the Kordofans and other war-torn areas of the country without these assurances.

The parties to the conflict have a shared obligation to honour the commitments made in Jeddah. For the sake of the millions of civilians in Sudan who want no part of this war and in the spirit of today’s agreement, they must work toward a permanent cessation of hostilities. The people of Sudan deserve nothing less.

 

***

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For further information, please contact: 

Karlsson, Sofie, karlsson2@un.org, +249 912 17 44 56

View original: https://reliefweb.int/report/saudi-arabia/statement-humanitarian-coordinator-sudan-statement-commitments-adopted-jeddah

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Statement on Darfur Sudan by UN aid chief Griffiths

NOTE, in Sudan 1.7 million people are now internally displaced while close to half a million people have sought refuge outside Sudan. Hundreds of civilians have been killed and thousands have been injured. Read more: 

News and Press Release from OCHA 
Dated Thursday 15 June 2023 
Originally published 15 June 2023 - full copy:

Situation in Darfur spiralling into humanitarian calamity as Sudan conflict hits two-month mark 

Statement by Martin Griffiths, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator (15 June 2023)

(New York, 15 June 2023) As the conflict in Sudan enters its third month, the humanitarian situation across the country continues to deteriorate.

Some 1.7 million people are now internally displaced while close to half a million people have sought refuge outside Sudan. Hundreds of civilians have been killed and thousands have been injured. 

Looting of medical and humanitarian assets continues on a massive scale. Farmers are unable to reach their land, which further raises the risk of food insecurity. And there has been a spike in reports of gender-based violence.

I am particularly worried about conditions in Darfur where people are trapped in a living nightmare: 

Babies dying in hospitals where there were being treated; children and mothers suffering from severe malnutrition; camps for displaced persons burned to the ground; girls raped; schools closed; and families eating leaves to survive.

Hospitals and water facilities have come under attack. Humanitarian warehouses and offices have been ransacked. Aid workers have been killed.

Inter-communal violence is also spreading, threatening to reignite the ethnic tensions that stoked the deadly conflict there 20 years ago. Reports of ethnic killings which claimed the lives of hundreds of people in the besieged town of El Geneina alone, though unconfirmed, should spur the world into action.

Humanitarian partners, including local organizations, have been doing their utmost to deliver aid, replenish stocks of life-saving supplies such as food and medicine, and provide water and nutrition services. However, the violence is hampering their efforts.

Under the rules of war, and the Declaration of Commitments that they both signed, parties to the conflict must refrain from attacking civilians and civilian infrastructure and must take constant care to spare them throughout their military operations.

We urge the parties to allow those seeking to flee to do so safely and voluntarily.

We also urge them and those with influence to ensure the movement of humanitarian supplies and personnel from other parts of Sudan – and from neighbouring countries – to Darfur where close to 9 million people need assistance.

Darfur is rapidly spiralling into a humanitarian calamity. The world cannot allow this to happen. Not again.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

In New York: Eri Kaneko, kaneko@un.org, +1 917 208 8910 

In Geneva: Jens Laerke, laerke@un.org, +41 79 472 9750

Disclaimer

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

To learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit https://www.unocha.org/.

View original: 

https://reliefweb.int/report/sudan/situation-darfur-spiraling-humanitarian-calamity-sudan-conflict-hits-two-month-mark-statement-martin-griffiths-under-secretary-general-humanitarian-affairs-and-emergency-relief-coordinator-15-june-2023

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Conflict Observatory - A remote monitoring platform to provide reporting on conflict activity in Sudan

NOTE from Sudan Watch Editor: See launch information in the previous post here at Sudan Watch (Sat 10 June 2023 - 'Public Launch of Sudan Conflict Observatory Monitoring Platform Sudan.ConflictObservatory.org') 

The following press release ends with satellite imagery showing extensive fire-based damage observed at the SAMIL Plumpy'Nut® Production Facility in Khartoum, plus findings and a link to the first report Fri 9 June 2023 published at Conflict Observatory's website.

________________________________

Press Release at Conflict Observatory.org

Dated Friday 9 June 2023 - full copy:

Sudan Conflict Observatory

CONFLICT OBSERVATORY

A remote monitoring platform to provide independent, expert reporting on conflict activity in Sudan.

9 June 2023

Systematic Violations of International Humanitarian and Human RIghts Law, Jeddah Declaration, And 20 MAY Ceasefire

Both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) with their aligned paramilitaries have allegedly committed widespread violations of the Jeddah Declaration, the 20 May Ceasefire Declaration, and gross human rights abuses violating International Humanitarian and Human Rights Law (IHL and IHRL). The Yale School of Public Health’s Humanitarian Research Lab and PlanetScape Ai, members of the Sudan Conflict Observatory, find widespread and targeted humanitarian and human security impacts due to the conflict in Sudan.

Yale HRL has documented significant impacts to human security in Khartoum, North Kordofan, South Darfur, West Darfur, and North Darfur states. Open source reporting shows that communication is declining across Sudan, including Khartoum state and South Darfur. This corresponds with a known attack on Sudatel towers in Nyala. Incidents that damage information communication technologies (ICT) infrastructure, either intentionally or unintentionally, prevent civilians from being able to access humanitarian aid; limit humanitarian organizations ability to assess and respond to needs; and may prevent gross human rights abuses from being documented.

PlanetScape Ai has recorded numerous attacks following the 20th May Ceasefire Declaration. These attacks have been documented using moderate resolution satellite imagery with high resolution imagery and earth-orbiting thermal sensors, in some cases. This evidence includes several damaged buildings and fire incidents in Khartoum from May 23rd to 28th. In El-Geneina, substantial damage to civilian infrastructure from May 14th to 24th has been documented. Several attacks on towns and villages in West and South Darfur from May 18th to 29th have also been recorded in Darfur.

Moreover, PlanetScape Ai has further recorded a considerable shift in Sudan’s population distribution since the onset of the conflict. The population of Khartoum has consistently decreased, while cities in the east like Atbara and Port Sudan have seen a rise in their population. More recently, a significant drop in population has been observed in El Fasher and Nyala following the surge in violence. These population shifts are likely indicative of regional mobility constraints and the migration of residents seeking to escape the violence.

Extensive fire-based damage observed in satellite imagery at the SAMIL Plumpy'Nut® Production Facility in Khartoum

FINDINGS

Widespread and targeted bombardment and destruction of critical infrastructure including water and sanitation facilities, power, and ICT;

Eight (8) confirmed, targeted, and systematic arson attacks reportedly by the RSF across Darfur’s rural villages and urban centers;

Parties to the conflict have engaged in widespread, systematic, and targeted attacks on humanitarian facilities that include the looting of supplies across Sudan;

Widespread and targeted destruction of facilities that constitute protected civilian infrastructure, including marketplaces, civilian neighborhoods, schools, and food production facilities; and

The deployment of roadblocks and checkpoints by both parties to the conflict, impeding freedom of movement of civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid.

REPORT: English

View original: https://hub.conflictobservatory.org/portal/apps/sites/#/sudan

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UNITAMS chief Perthes to brief UN Security Council

Report at What's In Blue

Dated Sunday 21 May 2023 - full copy:

Sudan: Briefing and Consultations

Tomorrow morning (22 May), the Security Council will convene for an open briefing, followed by closed consultations, on the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS). 

Special Representative and head of UNITAMS Volker Perthes is expected to brief on the Secretary-General’s latest 90-day report released on 16 May, which covers developments from 19 February to 6 May. 

AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security Bankole Adeoye and Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Workneh Gebeyehu are also expected to brief.

On 15 April, heavy fighting broke out between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), headed by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan—Sudan’s military leader and Chairperson of the Transitional Sovereign Council—and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (known as Hemeti). 

Despite several calls from the regional stakeholders and the broader international community for a ceasefire, fighting has entered its second month, causing a deep humanitarian crisis. 

According to OCHA’s 17 May situation report, at least 604 people have been killed and over 5,100 injured because of the ongoing fighting.

The Secretary-General’s 16 May report notes that, since the outbreak of fighting on 15 April, UNITAMS has focused its good offices efforts on urging the parties to cease hostilities, respect international humanitarian law and return to political negotiations. 

The report states that UNITAMS—as part of the Trilateral Mechanism that also includes the AU and IGAD—has continued to engage closely with regional organisations and member states in the pursuit of a ceasefire, including through the provision of technical expertise on ceasefire monitoring. 

It further notes that the fighting has posed severe operational challenges for UNITAMS and the mission has suspended activities such as capacity building, development assistance and field visits. Only a small number of the mission’s international personnel remain in Port Sudan to support the good offices efforts of Perthes.

At tomorrow’s meeting, Perthes is likely to update members on political and security developments in Sudan, as well as on the various ongoing regional and international efforts aimed at resolving the crisis. On 11 May, the warring parties, with the facilitation of Saudi Arabia and the US, signed a “Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan”, in Jeddah. Among other things, the parties agreed to:

• allow safe passage for civilians to leave areas of active hostilities;
• take all feasible precautions to avoid and minimise civilian harm;
• allow principal humanitarian operations to resume and protect humanitarian personnel and assets;
• adopt simple and expedited procedures for all logistical and administrative arrangements necessary for humanitarian relief operations; and
• commit to scheduling subsequent expanded discussions to achieve a permanent cessation of hostilities.

At tomorrow’s meeting some Council members are expected to acknowledge the signing of the declaration and call upon the parties to adhere to their commitments.

Council members may want to learn more about whether any substantive progress has been made in finding a political solution to the conflict.  

In a 11 May joint statement, Saudi Arabia and the US noted that, following the signing of the declaration, the talks in Jeddah would focus on “reaching agreement on an effective ceasefire for up to approximately ten days” to facilitate implementation of the commitments. 

It said that the security measures would include a US-Saudi ceasefire monitoring mechanism, supported by the international community. The statement added that the talks would also address the proposed arrangements for subsequent talks with Sudanese civilians and regional and international partners on a permanent cessation of hostilities.

In a 11 May statement, the Trilateral Mechanism welcomed the signing of the Declaration of Commitment by the Sudanese warring parties and urged them immediately to exert all efforts to translate these commitments to meaningful action. 

The mechanism called on the parties to “convey clear and unequivocal instructions to lower ranks” to abide by the declaration and facilitate the safe passage of humanitarian assistance and the restoration of essential services.

On 7 May, the League of Arab States (LAS), in an emergency ministerial-level meeting of its Executive Council, in Cairo, established a contact group on Sudan, consisting of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and LAS Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit. Among other things, the contact group is mandated to communicate with the Sudanese parties, regional and international partners, and international organisations with the aim of reaching a settlement to the ongoing crises. 

On 17 May, the contact group held its first meeting in Jeddah, with the participation of Gheit, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud and Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. 

In a tweet following the meeting, the Saudi Foreign Ministry noted that the meeting focused on reviewing the contents of the declaration signed in Jeddah, including the commitment to protect civilians in Sudan.

On 17 May, Hemeti’s special envoy Yousif Ezat met in Juba with South Sudanese President Salva Kiir, who is heading the IGAD-led mediation process. 

In a press conference with South Sudan’s Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Deng Dau Deng following the meeting with Kiir, Ezat expressed support for the IGAD-led process. 

In an 18 May press release, Sudan’s Foreign Ministry noted that it had lodged an official complaint with the South Sudanese government in response to the permission granted to Hemeti’s advisor to hold a press conference in the presence of senior South Sudanese officials. (For more information, see our 11 May What’s in Blue story.)

Council members last met to discuss the situation in Sudan under “any other business” on 17 May, at the request of the UK (the penholder on the file). 

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, briefed Council members on the influx of refugees into Sudan’s neighbouring countries and presented an overview of its potential impact on regional stability. Among other matters, Grandi highlighted UNHCR’s efforts and expressed concern about the situation of refugees.

At tomorrow’s meeting, several Council members are expected to express concern about the worsening humanitarian situation in the country. 

The Secretary-General’s 16 May report notes that the outbreak of fighting on 15 April has led to a drastic deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the country, with humanitarian activities being interrupted in several states owing to widespread insecurity, and reports of looting of humanitarian assets, including food, office equipment and vehicles.

On 17 May, OCHA released a revised 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) for Sudan, in light of the ongoing conflict. According to the plan, the estimated number of people in need has increased from 15.8 million in November 2022 to 24.7 million in May. The plan requires $817 million in additional funding, bringing the requirements for 2023 to $2.56 billion. At the time of writing, the HRP for Sudan was 12.4 percent funded.

Also on 17 May, UNHCR launched the Refugee Response Plan (RRP), which appeals for an estimated $470.4 million for an initial period from May to October. The RRP projects that the number of refugees, including Sudanese refugees, individuals from third countries, refugee returnees and migrant returnees, will reach approximately 1.1 million during this initial period. At tomorrow’s meeting briefers and Council members are expected to call for increased funding for the HRP and RRP.

According to data provided by UNHCR,  approximately 843,130 people have been internally displaced as a result of the ongoing conflict, and more than 250,000 forced to take shelter in neighbouring countries including the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, and South Sudan.

The mandate of UNITAMS is due to expire on 3 June. Council members currently appear inclined to extend the mandate for another six months, while calling on the parties to work towards a lasting, inclusive, and democratic political settlement in Sudan. 

The UK circulated a zero draft among Council members on 19 May, and the first round of negotiations is scheduled for 23 May. 

At tomorrow’s closed consultations, Council members may wish to have detailed discussions with the briefers on the mandate of UNITAMS.

View original: https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/whatsinblue/2023/05/sudan-briefing-and-consultations-5.php

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Sudan's govt allocates 3 airports for humanitarian aid

THE Sudanese government announced Friday (12 May] that it had allocated three airports to facilitate the arrival of humanitarian aid.

The airports in Port Sudan and Wadi Seidna, as well as Khartoum International Airport, will serve as entry points for humanitarian aid after maintenance, said the Council of Ministers, the cabinet, in a statement. 

Read more in report from BigNewsNetwork.com

By Xinhua (China View Daily) 

Dated Saturday 13 May 2023, 18:30 GMT+1 - full copy:

Sudanese gov't allocates 3 airports for humanitarian aid

© Provided by Xinhua

KHARTOUM, May 13 (Xinhua) -- The Sudanese government announced Friday that it had allocated three airports to facilitate the arrival of humanitarian aid.

The airports in Port Sudan and Wadi Seidna, as well as Khartoum International Airport, will serve as entry points for humanitarian aid after maintenance, said the Council of Ministers, the cabinet, in a statement.

The cabinet called on all national and foreign voluntary organizations and relevant authorities to coordinate with a special committee it formed to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to all affected citizens.

Khartoum International Airport, Sudan's main airport, went out of service after being bombarded during clashes between the Sudanese Army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The decision to allocate airports is part of efforts to implement a commitment to protect civilians, signed by the Sudanese Army and the RSF in the Saudi port city of Jeddah on Thursday following the start of peace talks on May 6.

In the declaration, the conflicting parties vow to "achieve a short-term ceasefire to facilitate the delivery of emergency humanitarian assistance and restoration of essential services."

International organizations and authorities have welcomed the deal to protect civilians.

"While humanitarian workers, most notably local partners, have continued to deliver in very difficult circumstances, the secretary-general hopes this declaration will ensure that the relief operation can scale up swiftly and safely to meet the needs of millions of people in Sudan," said Stephane Dujarric, chief spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

The UN chief reiterated his call for an immediate ceasefire and expanded discussions to achieve a permanent cessation of hostilities, the spokesman said.

The United Nations would spare no effort to assist in the declaration's implementation and will continue to deliver humanitarian aid, ceasefire or not, he added.

Meanwhile, Libya's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said the declaration "represents a courageous step by both sides of the crisis to commit to protecting civilians in Sudan."

The ministry reaffirmed Libya's keenness to restore stability in Sudan and to encourage the Sudanese Army and the RSF to abide by their commitments in the declaration.

It also called for reinforcing the agreement between the Sudanese rivals by additional measures, "especially in the path of responding to urgent humanitarian needs."

© Provided by Xinhua

More than 164,000 people have sought refuge across borders since the outbreak of the military conflict in Sudan on April 15, showed the UN Refugee Agency. The International Organization for Migration estimates some 736,000 people have been internally displaced within Sudan since the start of the conflict. Almost 3.8 million people were displaced within Sudan before the outbreak of violence.

According to the United Nations, about 15.8 million Sudanese, or one-third of Sudan's population, will need humanitarian aid in 2023, and the figure is likely to increase.

The deadly clashes have left at least 550 people dead and 4,926 others wounded, according to the figures released by the Sudanese Health Ministry in early May.

View original: https://www.bignewsnetwork.com/news/273830211/sudanese-govt-allocates-3-airports-for-humanitarian-aid

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Sudan: SAF's Burhan freezes bank accounts of Hemeti's RSF group and sacks central bank governor

Report from Middle East Eye

By MEE staff

Dated Sunday 14 May 2023 20:56 BST - excerpts:

Sudan crisis: Burhan freezes bank accounts of Hemeti's RSF group

As peace talks falter, General Abdel Fattah Burhan issues decision to freeze bank accounts of Hemeti's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary and its affiliated companies

Sudan's military leader General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan issued a decision to freeze the bank accounts of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) group and its affiliated companies, his office said in a statement on Sunday. […]

 

Meanwhile, General Burhan also sacked central bank governor Hussain Yahia Jankol.

Borai El Siddiq, who is one of Jankol's deputies, has replaced the outgoing governor, Burhan's office said in a statement on Sunday.

The reason for Jankol's sacking was not immediately clear. 

Brokering a ceasefire

Earlier this week, a “declaration of commitment” was signed in Jeddah by Sudan's warring factions, following nearly a week of talks mediated by hosts Saudi Arabia and the United States. 

The declaration, however, was not a ceasefire and the RSF resumed attacks on Khartoum days later, with air strikes and artillery rounds pummelling the capital.

Talks are due to resume in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, with Saudi Arabia and the US working towards brokering a permanent ceasefire, as none of the six humanitarian ceasefires announced by the two mediators during the course of the conflict have held so far. […]

View original: https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/sudan-crisis-burhan-freezes-bank-accounts-hemetis-rsf-group 

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Sudan extends Sudanese airspace closure to May 23

Sudan's Civil Aviation Authority said in a statement that “humanitarian aid and evacuation flights” would be exempted as long as they obtain a permit from relevant authorities. Read more.

Report from Radio Tamazuj

Dated Saturday 13 May 2023 - full copy:

Sudan extends airspace closure

Sudan has extended the closure of Sudanese airspace until May 23 amid continued fighting between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The Civil Aviation Authority said in a statement that “humanitarian aid and evacuation flights” would be exempted as long as they obtain a permit from relevant authorities.

Sudanese airspace was closed to regular traffic after a military conflict erupted between the country’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in mid-April.

Video clips circulating online showed the damage to the Khartoum Airport due to the heavy fighting.

The conflict that broke out a month ago has killed hundreds of people, sent more than 200,000 into neighbouring states, displaced another 700,000 inside the country.

The two sides have battled through previous truces and have shown no sign of being willing to compromise.

Representatives of both generals have been in the Saudi city of Jeddah for a week, for talks intended “to protect Sudan from any escalation that will lead to a humanitarian catastrophe.”

Representatives of the warring parties will resume talks on Sunday on how to implement plans to deliver humanitarian aid and remove troops from civilian areas.

View original: https://radiotamazuj.org/en/news/article/sudan-extends-airspace-closure 

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SW UPDATE 1 hour later: this report by Reuters says Sudanese airspace to remain closed until May 31.

Report from Alarabiya.net

By Reuters

Dated: 13 May 2023: 07:37 PM GST; 07:51 PM GST - full copy:

Sudanese airspace to remain closed to all traffic until May 31

Sudanese airspace will remain closed to all traffic until May 31, the country’s civil aviation authority said.

The authority said in a statement that “humanitarian aid and evacuation flights” would be exempted as long as they obtain a permit from relevant authorities.

Sudanese airspace was closed to regular traffic after a military conflict erupted between the country’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in mid-April.

In this handout image provided by the UK Ministry of Defence, on Thursday, April 27, 2023, British Nationals board an RAF aircraft for evacuation of civilians to Larnaca International Airport in Cyprus, at Wadi Seidna military airport, 22 kilometers (14 mi) north of Khartoum, Sudan. (AP)

View source:  https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2023/05/13/Sudanese-airspace-to-remain-closed-to-all-traffic-until-May-31

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VIDEO & TRANSCRIPT: Declaration of Commitment made to allow humanitarian access to Sudan

NOTE from Sudan Watch Editor: I made this transcript of the video below.



Transcript of a video posted at YouTube 13 May 2023:

Declaration of Commitment made to allow humanitarian access to Sudan

VOICE SABC (South African Broadcasting Corporation):
Caption: JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia
In the absence of a ceasefire the United Nations has been pressing parties to agree to a set of humanitarian principles that would allow for sid to flow to the millions living on the edge even before the latest fighting erupted.

VOICE Stéphane Dujarric, UN Secretary-General's Spokesperson:
The Secretary-General welcomes the signing by the parties to the conflict in Sudan of the Declaration of Commitment to protect civilians and guarantee the safe passage of humanitarian aid in the country while humanitarian workers most notably are local Sudanese partners have continued to deliver in very very difficult circumstances. The Secretary General hopes that this declaration will ensure that the relief operations can scale up swiftly and safely to meet the needs of millions of people in Sudan. He reiterates his call for an immediate ceasefire and expanded discussions to achieve the permanent cessation of hostilities. The U.N will spare no efforts to assist in the declaration's implementation and will continue to deliver humanitarian aid, ceasefire or not.

VOICE SABC (South African Broadcasting Corporation):
DECLARATION OF COMMITMENT
- respect for international law
- refrain from civilian harm
- allow for unimpeded humanitarian passage
- observing regular humanitarian pauses

The detailed Declaration of Commitment includes pledges from both sides to respect International humanitarian and human rights law including distinguishing between civilians and combatants and between civilian objects and military targets to allow and facilitate an impeded passage of humanitarian relief and personnel and observing the implementation of regular humanitarian pauses as needed among other parameters Hoping to arrest violations by both military factions.

VOICE Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
I strongly condemn this wonton violence in which both sides have trampled International humanitarian law notably the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution. The Sudanese military has launched attacks intensely occupied civilian areas including airstrikes.

VOICE SABC (South African Broadcasting Corporation):
Last week one airstrike reportedly hit the vicinity of a hospital in the East Nile area of Khartoum killing several civilians. The RSF meanwhile has allegedly taken over numerous buildings in Khartoum to use as operational bases, evicting residents and launching attacks from densely inhabited urban areas.
More than 730,000 people have been internally displaced since the fighting between Sudan's armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces began almost a month ago while the UN has warned that in the absence of a truce more than 800,000 could flee the country.

VOICE Volker Perthes, UN Secretary-General Special Representative: Sudan:
This is the first time that we have a mutual, a mutual declaration on something which is not a ceasefire but a mutual signed declaration of the two warring parties on respecting International humanitarian law and international human rights law and some more concrete provisions like vacating hospitals and medical facilities which is good. And of course the aim is to have a ceasefire which is also mutually agreed which I hope would give more stability and more respect to a ceasefire than when it is only based on unilateral declarations.

VOICE SABC (South African Broadcasting Corporation):
The United States which is co-hosting the talks in Saudi Arabia says they will now focus on reaching an agreement on an effective ceasefire of up to approximately 10 days to facilitate the humanitarian agreement. Referring to a step-by-step approach agreed by the parties, subsequent discussions will be focused on a permanent cessation of hostilities that has today been out of reach for the belligerents. The UN has been clear that any notion of a military victory for either side would be a miscalculation. -Sherwin Bryce-Pease, SABC News, New York.

View original at YouTube: https://youtu.be/fEkg9BsfzX0

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U.S. Statement on the signing of a Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan

We are pleased to announce that representatives of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces signed a Declaration of Commitment recognizing the obligation to facilitate humanitarian action to meet the emergency needs of civilians in Sudan. https://t.co/IocYT7RRr0

— Matthew Miller (@StateDeptSpox) May 12, 2023

UN Security Council meets today to discuss Sudan

NOTE from Sudan Watch Ed: The UK, penholder on Sudan at UN Security Council, requested a meeting of the Council to be held today (11 May) to discuss the deteriorating humanitarian and security situations in Sudan.

Special Representative and head of the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) Volker Perthes and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths are expected to brief.

In this report from What's In Blue, the yellow highlighting is mine for easy future reference. Hopefully, the Council members will agree on the "product" needed in response to the escalating violence in Sudan.

Report from What's In Blue 

Dated Thursday 11 May 2023 - full copy:

Sudan: Closed Consultations

This morning (11 May), following the briefing on the ICC’s Libya-related activities, Security Council members will hold closed consultations on Sudan. 

The UK, the penholder on the file, requested the meeting to discuss the deteriorating humanitarian and security situations in the country, in light of the fighting that erupted on 15 April between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), headed by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan—Sudan’s military leader and Chairperson of the Transitional Sovereign Council—and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. Special Representative and head of the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) Volker Perthes and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths are expected to brief.

Council members last met to discuss the situation in Sudan on 25 April, when the Council convened for an open briefing at the request of the UK. Secretary-General António Guterres, Perthes, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator Joyce Msuya, and Permanent Observer of the AU to the UN Fatima Kyari Mohammed briefed. In his remarks, Guterres said that the power struggle in Sudan is not only jeopardising the country’s future but is also “lighting a fuse that could detonate across borders, causing immense suffering for years and setting development back by decades”. He called on Council members, the wider UN membership, and regional organisations with influence to press the Sudanese leaders to de-escalate tensions. (For background, see our 25 April What’s in Blue story.)

Fighting has continued in and around Khartoum despite repeated calls by regional and international actors for a ceasefire. According to a 6 May OCHA flash update, at least 528 people have been killed and 4,599 injured since the outbreak of hostilities. Additionally, more than two-thirds of hospitals across Sudan are not functional because of direct attacks, occupation by the warring parties, as well as lack of electricity, water supply, fuel, or medicine.

Perthes is likely to update members on political developments in Sudan, as well as on the various ongoing regional and international efforts aimed at resolving the crisis. On 2 May, the AU Commission (the regional organisation’s secretariat) held a follow-up meeting to its 20 April special ministerial session on Sudan. Among other matters, the meeting focused on identifying priorities, strengthening the unity of the international community, promoting a ceasefire agreement, and advancing efforts to return to a democratic, inclusive, and civilian transition.

In a 2 May press release, South Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the warring Sudanese parties had agreed to a seven-day truce starting on 4 May, and to name their representatives for talks led by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), under the leadership of South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Mayardit in Juba. The seven-day truce was reportedly not observed by the parties and, at the time of writing, only al-Burhan has named his representative for the IGAD-facilitated talks. 

On 8 May, Kiir held a meeting with al-Burhan’s special envoy, Dafallah al-Haj Ali, in Juba, during which Ali reportedly affirmed the primacy of IGAD in mediation efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict. 

On 10 May, Kiir met Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry in Juba. According to a press statement released following the meeting, both leaders discussed “proposed modalities to merge the many different processes, forums and efforts into meaningful ceasefire” to end the ongoing conflict.

On 6 May, Saudi-US facilitated talks between representatives of the warring parties began in Jeddah. In a 7 May statement, Saudi Arabia and the US urged the parties to earnestly engage in the talks, with the aim of “achieving an effective short-term ceasefire, facilitating the delivery of emergency humanitarian assistance and restoration of essential services, and scheduling subsequent expanded negotiations to achieve a permanent cessation of hostilities”. The statement added that the parties began to review a proposed “Declaration of Commitment to Protect Civilians and facilitate and respect Humanitarian Action in Sudan”.

In an 8 May interview with an Egyptian media outlet, al-Burhan reportedly expressed support for a political solution to the ongoing conflict but emphasised that the withdrawal of RSF forces from residential areas and public facilities in Khartoum is a pre-condition. Speaking about the ongoing talks in Jeddah, he added that discussions about a lasting settlement could take place only after a permanent ceasefire is achieved in Khartoum.

On 7 May, the League of Arab States (LAS) convened an emergency ministerial-level meeting of its Executive Council in Cairo to discuss the situation in Sudan, during which it adopted a resolution stressing the need to respect the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Sudan. The resolution called for protecting Sudanese state institutions and preventing any “foreign interference” that could destabilise regional peace and security. It also established a contact group on Sudan, consisting of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and LAS Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit. Among other things, the contact group is mandated to communicate with the Sudanese parties, regional and international partners, and international organisations with the aim of reaching a settlement; undertake efforts to reach a complete and sustainable ceasefire; address the underlying drivers of conflict; and coordinate with humanitarian relief agencies to provide assistance and medical aid.

At today’s meeting, Griffiths is likely to brief about his recent visit to Port Sudan on 3 May, where he met Perthes and the heads of several humanitarian agencies, including the World Food Programme (WFP), UNICEF, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). In a press briefing during the visit, Griffiths noted that he is working to have clear and public commitments from the warring parties about protecting humanitarian assistance and allowing the delivery of aid. In this regard, he stressed the “need to have agreements at the highest level and…deliver those commitments into local arrangements”. Griffiths added that he hopes to meet SAF and RSF leaders, separately, in person, to explain to them the humanitarian requirements based on the discussions with the UN and other humanitarian agencies.

In a 9 May press briefing, OCHA Spokesperson Eri Kaneko noted that Griffiths was also present in Jeddah to engage with relevant parties and countries with influence to secure security guarantees for the UN and other humanitarian actors for the delivery of aid across various parts of the country. She added that prior to that, Griffiths also held phone calls with SAF and RSF leaders, in which he stressed the importance of developing safe corridors for the delivery of aid. At today’s meeting, Council members may wish to learn more about the scale and reach of OCHA’s operations and engagement with the respective parties for ensuring the safety and security of the humanitarian personnel and facilities.

Some Council members are expected to express concern about attacks against civilian infrastructure and the looting of humanitarian facilities in Sudan. On 9 May, the World Health Organization (WHO) said that it had verified 28 attacks against healthcare facilities since 15 April, which resulted in eight deaths and 18 injuries. In a tweet on the same day, WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain noted that nearly 25 percent of the WFP food stock has been stolen and that the organisation’s offices in the country have been looted.

Another likely issue of concern for Council members is the internal displacement of civilians and influx of refugees into Sudan’s neighbouring states. A 9 May IOM Sudan situation report noted that, since 15 April, almost 736,223 people have been displaced internally across Sudan, 13.8 percent of whom are foreign nationals. It added that approximately 177,116 individuals have sought refuge in neighbouring states, mainly in the Central African Republic (CAR), Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, and South Sudan.

It appears that Council members continue to have diverging views on whether a Security Council product is needed in response to the escalation of violence in Sudan. Council members apparently failed to adopt a draft press statement that was proposed by the UK following the AU Commission’s 20 April ministerial meeting because of opposition from the A3 members of the Council (Gabon, Ghana, and Mozambique). The A3 apparently argued that adopting a Council product could lead to duplicate messaging and create complications at a delicate time. It seems that China and Russia supported this position. 

Apparently, during Council members’ 25 April closed consultations on Sudan, the UK, with support from other Council members, again called for a press statement. However, this proposal did not garner consensus after the A3 members, followed by China and Russia, reiterated their objection to a product.

Tags: Insights on Africa, Sudan

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