UN Experts Call for Independent Force to Protect Civilians in Sudan

UN-backed investigators have called for an independent force to protect civilians in Sudan amid accusations of war crimes by both sides. The fact-finding team reported crimes such as murder, mutilation, and torture, and warned of foreign government complicity. Over 10 million people have been displaced, with famine affecting displaced camps.

UN-backed human rights investigators have urged the creation of an "independent and impartial force" to safeguard civilians in Sudan's ongoing war, implicating both factions in war crimes including murder, mutilation, and torture, and cautioning that foreign governments financing them might be complicit.

In their initial report since their formation by the UN's Human Rights Council in October, the fact-finding team indicted the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and their allies of crimes against humanity such as rape, sexual slavery, and persecution on ethnic or gender grounds.

"The people of Sudan have suffered immensely, and the violations against them must cease. This is unattainable without halting the conflict," Mohamed Chande Othman, the team's chair, stated at a news conference. The experts recommended broadening the arms embargo from Darfur to the entire nation.

The 47-country Human Rights Council's team findings come amid over 10 million displacements, including 2 million to neighboring countries, and a burgeoning famine in Darfur. The conflict, which began in April last year, has resulted in countless deaths and a humanitarian crisis with aid groups struggling to provide relief. In December, the UN Security Council voted to terminate the organization's political mission under military pressure.

With well-documented killings, displacements, and forced starvation, the call for an independent force indicates a desperate plea from rights advocates to end the ongoing bloodshed, displacement, and food crisis in Sudan.

"Given the parties' failures to protect civilians, the mission recommends deploying an independent, impartial force with a civilian protection mandate," the report stated. It did not specify the force's composition or countries potentially complicit in the conflict. Sudanese military has accused UAE of backing the RSF, with denials from the Gulf nation. Egypt is a known supporter of Sudan's armed forces. The report demanded an immediate halt in weapon supplies to any faction.

The team's investigations covered January to August, with visits to three neighboring states and testimonies from 180+ conflict survivors and witnesses across 14 of Sudan's 18 states. Team member Joy Ngozi Ezeilo highlighted the "long and tragic history" of conflict-related sexual violence in Sudan. Civilians, especially women and girls, face rampant sexual violence, including gang-rape by both warring factions.

Recent Geneva talks spearheaded by the US, Switzerland, and Saudi Arabia made limited progress in providing aid to Sudan, with Sudan's armed forces notably absent, though Egypt, UAE, African Union, and UN were involved. The fact-finding team's influence remains limited but serves to highlight abuses to the global community and guide International Criminal Court prosecutors.

(With inputs from agencies.)