A record number of states voted in favor of a resolution at the United Nations Human Rights Council this week to renew the mandate of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Sudan. For the first time, Gambia, Mauritius, and Malawi joined South Africa and other nations from various regions in supporting the decision.
The commission’s mandate involves investigating human rights violations and abuses committed by parties to the conflict in Sudan, while promoting accountability. This includes collecting and preserving evidence to identify those responsible and using it in future legal proceedings. Over the past year, the UN mission has released several reports, including a special investigation into an attack by Rapid Support Forces on El Fasher, which concluded there were indications of genocide. A recent report also revealed the role of external actors in fueling the conflict.
The mission has worked alongside the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights Joint Fact-Finding Mission to ensure integrated efforts. The Human Rights Council resolution highlighted the commission’s identification of a transnational network supporting the Rapid Support Forces, providing weapons, logistics, training, and foreign personnel. It emphasized the need to intensify scrutiny and accountability regarding external support that enables ongoing serious violations and international crimes across the entire chain of responsibility.
This growing support indicates increasing recognition of the need to address atrocities in Sudan and the impunity that fuels them, underscoring that justice is essential for resolving the crisis. In a strong statement, Gambia invoked its national heritage to emphasize that truth, justice, and accountability are the foundations upon which sustainable peace and reconciliation must be built.
Despite the resolution acknowledging the importance of evidence collection and preservation to support accountability, states have not moved to enhance the UN mission’s capacity to do so, a key recommendation from civil society. States leading or supporting the resolution should continue exploring ways to ensure evidence is preserved and prepared in real-time to support prosecutions for all serious international crimes committed in the context of the Sudan conflict. African states supporting the initiative and others should work to ensure the African Union Peace and Security Council reviews the report of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
This report was produced by the HuMedia newsroom.
