Christian Entity Petitions African Commission on Human Rights over Religious, Gender-based Violations in Sudan

In RSF-controlled areas, they add, “Christians report being forcibly converted, induced to convert to receive vital humanitarian assistance and security, or detained if they attempt to flee.”

CSW is also concerned about the “deliberate targeting of places of worship by both parties to the conflict, in violation of both domestic and international law, and, in the context of conflict, international humanitarian law.”

Such attacks, the officials of the Christian entity say, “may also constitute a war crime, especially when these premises are being used to meet the critical rise in humanitarian needs generated by the conflict.”

Besides attacks on Christians, CSW says that Mosques have also “been attacked, including reports of the bombings of mosques in the Alazhari and Burri Al Daraisa areas of Khartoum.”

They further lament, “Churches have also been deliberately targeted or used as bases during military offensives since the conflict erupted in April 2023. Such violations are consistent with actions taken by leaders of both the SAF and RSF following their joint coup in October 2021.”

“There has been an internet and communications shutdown since 2 February 2024 after the RSF reportedly seized control of internet service providers’ data centers in Khartoum,” CSW officials further say in the submission.

The Internet shutdown seriously jeopardizes humanitarian efforts within the country, as local and international organizations cannot communicate effectively, CSW officials say.

The conflict, the UK-based human rights foundation says, has already resulted in “the highest level of internal displacement in the world.”

Medical facilities and personnel have not been spared in the violence. “Consistent reports emerge of medical facilities being targeted by both warring parties in violation of international humanitarian law,” CSW officials say, and add, “Attacks on medical personnel, and shortages of food, water, and essential medications are equally concerning.”

In residential areas, they lament that “civilians remain in grave danger due to aerial bombardment and home invasions by armed men seeking to use rooftops of residential properties as vantage points who also loot extensively.”

The CSW submission also expresses fear that “members of resistance committees, journalists, lawyers, and opposition politicians are particularly likely to experience detention, monitoring or targeting.” 

In the submission, CSW officials also highlight the scope of the conflicts, which they say has “extended across the entire country, with tensions flaring in Khartoum and Omdurman as the SAF attempts to regain control of neighbourhoods taken by the RSF.”

CSW wants the ACHPR Hybrid Joint Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) to “strongly condemn attacks on civilians, including religious leaders, and carry out investigations into such abuses, ensuring those responsible are held to account.”

They also want the African human rights group to support investigations into the destruction of places of worship and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.

CSW also wants the ACHPR Hybrid Joint Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) to urge the SAF to cease the arrest and detention of Christians, who have fled from RSF-controlled areas and the RSF to cease the arrest, detention or forced conversion of Christians in areas it controls.

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They also want the African Human Rights group to “Ensure humanitarian workers receive adequate protection as they operate at great personal risk in challenging circumstances.”

On Tuesday, February 18, the RSF reportedly convened at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Kenya’s capital city, Nairobi, to deliberate on forming a “government of peace and unity” for Sudan. 

The move has generated controversy, with the Sudanese government condemning Kenya for playing host to the deliberations, terming it a violation of international laws and an act that promotes the dismemberment of a member state of the African Union.

Sudan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed deep regret over Kenya's actions, accusing the Kenyan government of complicity in the RSF's alleged crimes, including genocide and ethnic violence.