The ongoing conflict in Sudan, which erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has plunged the country into a humanitarian crisis. While both sides have been accused of atrocities, Human Rights Watch (HRW) recently released a disturbing report highlighting the prevalence of war crimes committed by both warring factions.

A Disturbing Pattern of War Crimes

HRW’s report, released in August 2024, documented a harrowing range of war crimes committed by both the SAF and RSF, including summary executions, torture, and the mutilation of dead bodies. This evidence, gathered through an analysis of social media footage, provides a chilling glimpse into the barbarity of the conflict. The report documented at least 40 summary executions, based on analysis of videos that showed victims being killed without any semblance of due process.

The Scope of the Abuses

The scale of the abuses is deeply concerning. Eighteen detainees were identified in videos demonstrating various forms of torture, including beatings, electrocution, and mock executions. Nine out of twenty analyzed videos displayed acts of mutilation inflicted on the corpses of at least eight individuals, predominantly by soldiers in uniform, although some were dressed in civilian clothing. Notably, HRW emphasized that in all the documented cases, the detainees appeared unarmed and posed no imminent threat to their captors. Many of the victims were bound and unable to defend themselves, highlighting the deliberate nature of the abuse.

A Culture of Impunity

HRW’s findings highlight a chilling reality: both warring factions appear to operate with a sense of impunity. The brazen recording and dissemination of their atrocities on social media suggests a disregard for international laws and norms. The nonchalance with which these acts are documented points to a troubling lack of accountability, allowing perpetrators to believe they can act with impunity.

Failing to Investigate

This lack of accountability exacerbates the suffering and injustice experienced by the victims and their families. It also perpetuates a cycle of violence and undermines any prospects of peace and reconciliation in the country. Without meaningful investigations, perpetrators will continue to feel empowered, perpetuating the cycle of abuse.

The Urgency for Action

The international community must act swiftly and decisively to ensure accountability for these crimes. This requires a concerted effort to investigate these abuses and hold perpetrators responsible, regardless of their affiliation.

International Intervention

The African Union, the United Nations, and other international organizations should work collaboratively to investigate these crimes, potentially through an independent commission of inquiry. Further, the international community must leverage diplomatic and economic pressure on both sides to encourage them to commit to ceasefires and facilitate humanitarian access to those in need.

Take Away Points:

• Both the SAF and the RSF have been accused of widespread and egregious war crimes, including summary executions, torture, and the mutilation of corpses.
• The documented videos showing these atrocities highlight the extent of the suffering inflicted upon civilians and demonstrate a worrying sense of impunity among perpetrators.
• A lack of accountability for war crimes only exacerbates the humanitarian crisis and perpetuates cycles of violence.
• International action is urgently needed to ensure accountability for these atrocities and to work toward ending the conflict in Sudan. This must involve investigations, diplomatic pressure, and a concerted effort to secure access for humanitarian aid.