The African Fact-Finding Mission Documents Widespread Violations in Sudan

The joint African fact-finding mission on the human rights situation in Sudan confirmed that it has documented widespread violations committed by parties to the armed conflict against civilians in various parts of the country.

In its report, the mission stated that “the conflict in Sudan has witnessed indiscriminate attacks, extrajudicial killings, and ethnically motivated killings, reflecting a systematic pattern of blatant disregard for human life.”

The report further indicated that the mission documented the use of torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment as systematic methods to instill fear and inflict pain through suffocation, beating, and sexual violence.

It noted that these practices reveal a pattern of humiliation and racial discrimination, in clear violation of Article 5 of the African Charter, while also highlighting the state’s failure to fulfill its protection obligations.

The report also pointed out that sexual violence was widespread, taking multiple forms — including rape, gang rape, sexual slavery, sexual exploitation, and forced marriage — noting that women and children bear the greatest burden of this conflict’s consequences, as the documented incidents show a disturbing rise in violations that degrade women’s dignity.