TAGADOM Calls on Both Warring Parties and the International Community to Urgently Prioritize the Protection of Civilians in Sudan

TAGADOM Calls on Both Warring Parties and the International Community to Urgently Prioritize the Protection of Civilians in Sudan

TAGADOM Calls

“TAGADOM” the Coordination-body of Democratic and Civil Forces, is calling on both warring parties and the international community to urgently prioritize the protection of civilians amid the ongoing conflict in Sudan.

TAGADOM expresses deep concern over the weak recommendations outlined in the UN Secretary-General’s report to the Security Council on October 28, 2024, addressing the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Sudan. While continued diplomatic efforts are necessary, Tagadom emphasizes that the international community must take concrete and immediate actions to address the severe humanitarian crisis, prevent further atrocities, end the war, and restore the transitional process in Sudan.

After 19 months of brutal conflict, with 30% of Sudan’s population displaced—including 11 million internally displaced persons and 3 million refugees—the need for urgent intervention has never been more pressing. Sudanese civilians are enduring extrajudicial killings, torture, and forced displacement with little to no accountability. Women and girls, in particular, face horrific abuses, including widespread sexual violence, rape, slavery, and other human rights violations. The time for action to protect Sudanese civilians and end this catastrophic violence is now.

The primary responsibility for ending this tragedy lies with the warring parties. We reiterate our call for them to urgently cease hostilities and choose peaceful means to address Sudan’s crisis. We also urge them to cooperate with Sudanese and international actors to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and protect civilians in conflict areas.

Key Recommendations

TAGADOM proposes the following urgent recommendations to ensure the immediate protection of civilians in Sudan:
1. Enhance Humanitarian Aid and Access
Increasing humanitarian aid access, including the appointment of a regional humanitarian coordinator under the United Nations, is essential to address the severe famine and humanitarian crisis faced by Sudanese citizens and refugees. With over 25 million people at risk of famine, urgent coordination is needed to facilitate aid and ease the burden on neighboring countries hosting refugees. We also stress the importance of international stakeholders fulfilling their financial commitments to address the humanitarian crisis.
2. Support Community-Led Protection Efforts
Tagadom calls for increased financial and technical support for local Sudanese civil society organizations and women’s initiatives providing critical protection services. These community-led efforts are lifelines for civilians and must be strengthened to effectively protect vulnerable populations.
3. Address the Telecommunication Blackout
The ongoing nationwide telecommunication blackout in Sudan exacerbates the crisis by preventing civilians from accessing vital information or warnings. The international community must assist in restoring communication networks, enabling civilians to access aid, receive warnings, and access necessary information during the conflict.
4. Ensure Accountability for Violations of International Law
TAGADOM urges the international community to expand the mandate of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to cover all of Sudan to ensure accountability for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and other violations committed by the Rapid Support Forces, the Armed Forces, and their allied forces. Holding perpetrators accountable is crucial to addressing the culture of impunity and preventing further atrocities.
5. Expand the Darfur Arms Embargo to Cover All of Sudan
To halt the flow of weapons fueling the conflict, Tagadom advocates extending the current arms embargo on Darfur to encompass all of Sudan. Preventing the influx of arms is critical to de-escalating violence and ending the conflict.
6. Establish Safe Civilian Zones Protected by an Independent Force
In light of the urgent need for protection, Tagadom calls for the establishment of safe civilian zones within Sudan, where all hostilities cease, military forces withdraw, artillery and drones are prohibited, and aerial bombardments are banned. These zones should be guarded by an independent, impartial international force, providing a safe haven for civilians, especially in areas most affected by violence. We urge the warring parties to respond positively to this proposal.

A Call for Urgent Action

TAGADOM renews its call for the international community to act decisively and with urgency, highlighting the dire situation in Sudan, where civilians bear the brunt of the conflict. The violence and violations perpetrated by the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces are not only a humanitarian catastrophe but also an increasing threat to regional and international peace.

Finally, we urge the international community to apply all available pressure on the warring parties to return to the negotiating table with the full participation of civilian forces and the genuine inclusion of women, in line with the Geneva talks and the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325.