The Sudanese Alliance for Rights strongly condemns the deliberate, and unjustified attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, the latest of which was in Zarqa area of North Darfur State.
These attacks constitute a blatant violation of international humanitarian law and other relevant international agreements, including international criminal law which explicitly forbid the targeting of civilians and protected civilian objects.
The attacks, launched by the Sudanese Armed Forces and its allies, the Joint Forces on December 21, 2024, resulted in numerous civilian killings and casualties, including women, children, and the elderly. The Joint Forces and Sudanese Army burned houses, and markets, and looted civilian’s property in addition to destruction of water supplies. Such actions constitute a full-fledged war crime and a crime against humanity, necessitating an urgent international investigation to hold the perpetrators accountable and prevent future occurrences.
The attacks and systematic killing of innocent civilians, along with the targeting of civilian facilities such as schools, hospitals, water sources, and agricultural resources, under the pretext of attacking the social incubators of the Rapid Support Forces, constitute actions that cannot be justified under any circumstances. These violations fall within the list of international crimes stipulated in the Rome Statute of 2002 and represent a flagrant violation of international human rights and international criminal law.
The continuation of these attacks on civilian populations in Darfur and across Sudan, coupled with the destruction of essential infrastructure and livelihoods without clear condemnation or calls for stopping them, is a stain on the forehead of the civilized world and the international, regional and national institutions tasked with the protection and promotion of human rights.
The alliance calls on the conflicting parties to end the armed conflict through peaceful negotiations to end all the suffering of the Sudanese people; and to refrain from targeting innocent civilians and destruction of infrastructure and essential means of livelihood.
The alliance further urges the conflicting parties to abide by international law and humanitarian laws and all annexed protocols and ensure that civilian objects protected under these laws are not targeted, as such acts constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The alliance appeals to the international community to shoulder its responsibilities and work to put pressure on both warring parties to end the armed conflict through peaceful means and negotiation.
The alliance also calls on the international community to condemn the continued attacks against civilians, and civilian objects.
Furthermore, the alliance urges national and international organizations to condemn the attacks against civilians and infrastructure in Zarqa area, as well as the destruction of farms, livestock, and all means of livelihood.
International judicial bodies should open investigations into yesterday’s attacks and violations of human rights and international criminal law and crimes committed by the Joint Forces and Sudanese Army forces in Darfur and across Sudan.
The Sudanese Alliance for Rights reaffirms its commitment to support the affected civilians and work to support efforts for peace and justice. It also calls on all parties to engage in a comprehensive dialogue to end the violence and ensure a safe future for all.
Sudanese Alliance for Rights – December 22, 2024
