Sudan Defenders September Newsletter
Executive Summary
Greetings from Sudan Defenders!
The current situation in Sudan is highly challenging due to the heightened conflict in various regions and the widespread floods in the North, East, Darfur, and Al Jazirah. The floods have rendered many roads impassable, resulting in critical shortages of medication, food, and essential relief supplies.
Furthermore, the cost of living has risen sharply due to inflation, making it increasingly difficult for the Sudanese population to access basic necessities. Compounding these difficulties, over 70 percent of bank branches in affected areas have ceased operations.
Women, children, and the elderly in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps are facing severe malnutrition, and the departure of many aid organizations due to security concerns has exacerbated the situation.
The relentless bombing and shelling of shelters and urban areas have caused numerous civilian casualties, with limited access to medical care, as hospitals have been destroyed, looted, or targeted by warring factions. Even El-Fasher’s Saudi Hospital, one of the last functioning medical facilities, has suffered multiple attacks, leaving it without essential medication, staff, and resources to assist civilians.
While the opening of the Adre border connecting West Darfur to Chad has facilitated the delivery of relief supplies, the floods have made the transportation routes impassable, and there have been reports of looting of aid shipments.
We appreciate the recent statements from President Joe Biden, the United Nations, the African Union Commission, and the Fact-Finding Mission, all calling for an immediate ceasefire in the conflict. However, we urge the implementation of practical and effective solutions to ensure that a sustainable truce is achieved in Sudan.
I invite you to read our September Newsletter.
Adam Musa Obama Executive Director
Updates on Sudan
Highlights with infographics
According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, Sudan’s annual inflation rate surged to 218.18% in August, up from 193.94% in July as of 19 September 2024
According to the Federal Emergency Operations Center, there have been 399 Cholera infections and 3 deaths as of 18 September 2024.
According to the Sudan War monitor, 22 political activists were arrested between the period of 27 August and 18 September by the General Intelligence Service in Rashad and Abu Jubeiha localities in South Kordofan.
Humanitarian Impact
The floods in Darfur have led to severe humanitarian challenges across the region.. The collapse of four main bridges namely Um Duwayn Bridge, Murnei Bridge, Azum Valley Bridge and Arbaat Dam in August linking the states of Darfur due to the floods and rains that fell during the current autumn season has become an obstacle to delivering humanitarian aid to the residents of the region who are threatened by famine.
According to a Central Bureau of Statistics report, Sudan’s annual inflation rate skyrocketed to 218.18% in August, up from 193.94% in July. This further worsened the economic crisis gripping the conflict-stricken nation, making it increasingly difficult for people to afford food, medicine, and other essential goods.
The Federal Emergency Operations Center announced on 18 September that Sudan had confirmed 399 new cholera cases across five states, along with three reported deaths. This raises the total case count to 10,567, with 335 fatalities.
On 12 September, The Rapid Support Forces’s offensive, aimed at capturing the city of El Fasher, was thwarted by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and their local allies from the Joint Forces after hours of intense combat. El Fasher remains a strategic target for the RSF, as it houses the headquarters of the SAF’s 6th Infantry Division and is the last SAF bastion in Darfur.
The intense fighting has led to a mass evacuation by civilians toward famine- struck Zamzam Camp to the south, and toward a mountainous region to the west, which is controlled by a neutral armed group, the Sudan Liberation Movement (Abdelwahid faction).
The extended telecommunication blackout in Sudan has resulted in approximately 30 million individuals being without internet access for a period of eight months. This lack of connectivity has significantly impeded the populace’s ability to obtain critical information during the ongoing conflict. Furthermore, it is instrumental in supporting localized humanitarian responses to aid those unable to seek refuge.
Advocacy and Policy
The UN and the African Union Commission both noted the current escalation of the crisis and the spread of violence in Sudan. They called for an immediate cessation of the fighting inside El Fasher and in Sudan generally.
On 10 September, the independent international Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan presented its report at the 57th Session of the Human Rights Council. The report stated that both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Response Forces (RSF) and their respective allied militias have committed large-scale human rights and international humanitarian law violations, some of which may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
On 17 September, President Joe Biden made a statement on Sudan, calling on the belligerents responsible for Sudanese suffering to pull back their forces, facilitate unhindered humanitarian access and re-engage in negotiations to end this war.
On 18 September, Ms. Joyce Msuya, Acting Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, briefed the Security Council on the humanitarian situation in Sudan. She urged the Security Council to demand that the parties comply with their obligations and that donors provide the much-needed resources to address the unprecedented crisis.
Relief Efforts
In its September regional update, the International Organization for Migration, Sudan ( IOM Sudan) shared that in response to the collapse of the Arba’at dam, it planned to distribute 500 tents directly, while an additional 5,000 hygiene kits and 1,000 NFIs were allocated for distribution through partners to reach a cumulative total of 37,500 individuals.
On 17 September, the Federal Ministry of Health, with support from WHO and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), launched a second round of the oral cholera vaccination campaign in Wad Alhilu of Kassala State to protect communities in hotspot areas and curb the spread of the outbreak.
Human Rights Violations
On 1 September, the warring parties launched artillery shelling targeting the Abu Shouk IDP camp located in the capital of North Darfur, Al-Fashir. Four shells landed inside the camp, leading to the destruction of the home of Mr. Ali Adam Musa, a 55-year-old teacher and car driver in the camp. His 15-year-old son, Wael Youssef Adam Musa, was injured in the hand. Unfortunately, Ms. Farida Ahmed Ismail, a 23-year-old resident of Block 10, was killed in the attack.
On 2 September, warplanes launched a violent airstrike targeting the city of Mellit, Mellit locality, North Darfur State. The indiscriminate bombardment struck markets and residential neighborhoods, resulting in the death and injury of dozens of innocent civilians who were struggling to carry on with their daily lives amidst extreme economic hardship
On 11 September, the Kafut neighbourhood in El Fasher came under artillery shelling, resulting in civilian casualties. Kafut is a densely populated area in El Fasher. The shelling also hit a displacement shelter located in Ahmad Al-Zain Private School.
On 13 September, warplanes launched airstrikes on the Al-Tijania neighbourhood in El Fasher, North Darfur State. One of the bombs struck the home of Zaki Al- Siddiq, destroying the eastern side of his house. Other bombs fell near citizens’ homes, causing widespread destruction in the area. The bombings led to the destruction of the house of lawyer Mohammed Salem Jad Allah, and resulted in injuries to several members of his family.
On 16 September, anti-corruption activist lawyer Jaafar Al-Masry was killed by the bombing of Nyala in South Darfur State in the industrial area.
Within the period of 27 August until 18 September, 22 political activists were arrested by the General Intelligence Service in Rashad and Abu Jubeiha localities in South Kordofan. Among those arrested are Alaa El-Din Hassan and Ahmed Al- Tijani.
On 23 September, shelling on a bustling market north of Omdurman killed at least 15 civilians, including women and children, and wounded 61 others.
On 25 September, war planes bombed Al Daein, Mellit and Hamra Al Sheikh a short while ago, causing civilian casualties.
On 24 September, the airport in the western city of Nyala was bombed, destroying the runway, control tower and offices. The bombing also hit the headquarters of the 16th Infantry Division.
On 23 September, the warring parties bombed the North Ahlia and Makarka neighbourhoods. They killed lawyer Adam Abdel Rahman Abdullah, founder of the Volunteers Without Borders Charitable Initiative and the Without Borders Organization for Development and Capacity Building.
Updates on Support provided to HRDs by DefendDefenders and SudanDefenders/ Engagements
Actions by SudanDefenders and DefendDefenders
Oral statement by DefendDefenders during the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council (9 September-11 October 2023)
On 10 September, DefendDefenders made an oral statement during the enhanced interactive dialogue on the FFM report for Sudan, which highlighted the report’s importance in advancing both the moral dimension of accountability (through
exposure, public reporting, and truth and remembrance) and its criminal dimension for the atrocities committed by the warring parties in Sudan.
Through the Eyes of Mutawakil Essam El-Din
Mutawakil Essam El-Din is the Project Coordinator at Al-Khatim Adlan Center
for Enlightenment and Human Development who attended a Personal and Digital Security Workshop for Human Rights Defenders that DefendDefenders organized.
The personal and digital security workshop, held at the headquarters of the Defend Defenders organization in Kampala, was essential for human rights defenders. This group faces multiple risks related to security threats, whether from official bodies or non-governmental groups in Kampala. The workshop aimed to raise awareness of the strategies necessary to protect individuals and data from targeting and how to protect a person from all surrounding circumstances.
The workshop provided comprehensive information on personal and digital security risks, including how to protect smartphones, email, and social media.
There were lively discussions among participants, which allowed for the exchange of experiences and challenges as the representatives present were from diverse backgrounds.
By the end of the workshop, participants had developed personal protection strategies that could be immediately applied.
The Personal and Digital Security Workshop for Human Rights Defenders was successful and effective. By raising awareness and developing skills, it contributed to preparing participants to face security challenges in the field of human rights.
The results of the workshop recommend continuing this type of event and enhancing cooperation between human rights defenders