Sudan: Rights Group Condemns Civilian Drone Attacks, Questions Khartoum Silence on Egyptian Airstrike in North
We express our deepest concern and strongest condemnation of the growing attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure across Sudan, particularly the recent use of drone warfare targeting civilian locations, including public markets and electricity power stations. These attacks have inflicted immense suƯering on ordinary Sudanese people, deprived communities of essential services, and constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law. We are equally alarmed by reports of the recent Egyptian air force attack on traditional gold miners in Northern Sudan, which resulted in the loss of innocent civilian lives and livelihoods. Any attack targeting civilians, regardless of the perpetrator, must be subject to an independent, transparent, and impartial investigation to establish the facts, identify those responsible, and ensure accountability. We are deeply troubled by the silence of the de facto authorities in Khartoum regarding these grave incidents. Instead of addressing the concerns of aƯected communities and condemning attacks against Sudanese civilians, recent public statements by the Chairman of the Sovereignty Council, General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, in Wadi Halfa praised the Egyptian regime and pledged protection for Egyptian interests in Sudan without addressing the suƯering of Sudanese civilians allegedly aƯected by these attacks. Such silence raises legitimate questions among the Sudanese public and undermines confidence in the authorities’ commitment to protecting their own citizens. We therefore call upon the authorities in Khartoum to provide clear and transparent answers to the Sudanese people regarding the nature of any agreements, concessions, or arrangements relating to gold exploration and extraction activities in Northern Sudan involving Egyptian entities. The Sudanese public has the right to know whether such agreements exist, what their terms and conditions are, whether local communities were consulted, and whether the authorities had prior knowledge of or sanctioned any activities connected to the recent attacks. We stand in solidarity with the victims, their families, and all aƯected communities. We reaƯirm our commitment to continue advocating for truth, justice, accountability, and reparations for the victims and their families. We will persist in our eƯorts to ensure that those responsible for these crimes are held accountable in accordance with international law and principles of justice. We further demand eƯective measures to guarantee that such attacks are never repeated. At the same time, we strongly condemn all forms of foreign intervention in the Sudanese conflict. The provision of military, financial, political, or logistical support by external actors to any of the warring parties has contributed to the prolongation of the conflict, intensified the humanitarian crisis, and increased the suƯering of millions of Sudanese civilians. Sudan’s future must be determined by its people, free from external interference and proxy warfare. We call upon the international community, the African Union, the United Nations, human rights mechanisms, and all justice and accountability actors to closely monitor these developments, support independent investigations into violations against civilians, and take all necessary measures to protect civilians, uphold international law, and advance a just and sustainable peace in Sudan. #Justice for the victims. # Accountability for the perpetrators. #Protection for civilians. #Peace for Sudan.