The ongoing armed conflict in Sudan has taken a toll on the civilian population in the country, with both the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) using explosive weapons in densely populated urban areas, causing loss of life and property. The use of these weapons has damaged critical infrastructure, leaving millions without access to basic necessities such as water and medical care.
After the outbreak of hostilities on April 15, 2023, the fighting spread across Khartoum, Omdurman, Bahri, and other provincial towns, resulting in widespread destruction of homes and other civilian objects. Many civilians have been forced to remain in their homes, facing water and power shortages in sweltering heat and lacking medical care. Hospitals and other medical facilities have had to shut down due to the lack of supplies and staff.
Human Rights Watch conducted interviews with 23 people, including residents, medical professionals, and aid workers from Khartoum, Nyala, and El Obeid, and verified 10 videos showing the warring parties using explosive weapons on populated areas. The use of these weapons has resulted in hundreds of civilian casualties. According to the United Nations, at least 528 people have been killed and 4,599 injured, but doctors believe that the actual figures are higher.
The SAF and the RSF have been accused of showing a complete disregard for civilian lives by using unreliable weapons in populated areas. Rockets, bombs, and other types of explosive weapons have hit and injured civilians, damaged infrastructure critical for access to water and medical care, and caused widespread displacement within Sudan.
In addition to the loss of life and destruction of property, the conflict has also damaged critical infrastructure, such as water treatment plants, power plants, and communication centers. The destruction of these facilities has resulted in the loss of access to electricity, water, health care, and education, and has forced the displacement of civilians.
International humanitarian and human rights law should bind the warring parties, requiring them to abide by the laws of war, avoid civilian casualties, and take measures to reduce harm to civilians and civilian objects. The African Union Peace and Security Council, Sudan‘s regional and international partners, and the UN Security Council should adopt concrete measures to reduce harm to civilians, including targeted sanctions. The UN Human Rights Council should hold a special session and create a mechanism to gather and preserve evidence of crimes under international law.
To keep the situation from getting worse, the Security Council should block all arms transfers to Sudan, ensure reporting on abuses, and create a mechanism to help bring those responsible for serious crimes to justice. Sudan‘s regional and international partners, African Union Peace and Security Council, and the UN Security Council should take measures to deter abuses and act to hold those responsible to account.
The situation in Sudan should serve as a reminder of the importance of respecting human rights and international humanitarian law in conflict situations. It is essential that parties to a conflict distinguish between combatants and civilians at all times, avoid deploying near densely populated areas and avoid using explosive weapons with wide-area effects in populated areas.
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