Joint Statement by Sudanese Civil Society Organizations in Support of the Banjul Joint Declaration on Sudan

We, the undersigned Sudanese civil society organizations, human rights groups, victims’ associations, and community-based initiatives, welcome the adoption of the “Banjul Joint Declaration on Sudan” by the Joint Fact-Finding Mission of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights on Sudan and the United Nations Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan during the 87th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Banjul.

We consider this Declaration an important and historic step toward strengthening cooperation between African and United Nations accountability mechanisms in response to the grave human rights and humanitarian crisis in Sudan.

The Declaration reflects many of the urgent demands consistently raised by Sudanese victims, survivors, human rights defenders, humanitarian actors, women’s groups, youth initiatives, and civil society organizations since the outbreak of the conflict in April 2023, particularly with regard to:

• The immediate protection of civilians;
• Ending attacks against civilian populations;
• Ensuring safe and unimpeded humanitarian access;
• Preventing atrocity crimes and ethnically targeted violence;
• Preserving evidence and advancing accountability;
• Supporting a civilian-led path toward peace and democratic governance.

We particularly welcome the Declaration’s emphasis on accountability for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and other grave violations committed in Sudan, as well as its support for enhanced cooperation between regional and international justice and accountability mechanisms.

We further welcome the recognition given in the Declaration to the role played by Sudanese civil society organizations, journalists, humanitarian actors, women, youth, and human rights defenders who continue, despite enormous risks, to document violations and support affected communities.

At the same time, we stress that the adoption of this Declaration must be followed by concrete action and implementation. The continued suffering of civilians across Sudan, including in Darfur, El Fasher, and the Kordofan regions, requires urgent and coordinated regional and international measures aimed at protecting civilians, ensuring humanitarian access, combating impunity, and supporting victims and survivors.

We further call upon all relevant regional and international actors to treat the Banjul Joint Declaration as a foundational framework and a cornerstone for any future initiatives, discussions, accountability efforts, political processes, or international engagement concerning Sudan.

We call upon:

• All parties to the conflict to immediately cease attacks against civilians and comply with international humanitarian law and international human rights law;
• The African Union, the United Nations, and the international community to take concrete steps to implement the recommendations contained in the Declaration;
• Regional and international accountability mechanisms to continue coordination and cooperation in support of justice and civilian protection in Sudan.

We reaffirm our support for all efforts aimed at advancing justice, accountability, dignity, and sustainable peace for the Sudanese people.

Signed by:

1. Committee for Justice (CFJ)
2. AWAFY Sudanese Organization
3. Sudan Rights Watch Network
4. Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA)
5. Darfur Network For Human Rights
6. Doroty Center for Justice and Accountability
7. Sudanese youth network for Ending the War and Establishing Civil Democratic transition
8. Juddieh Foundation
9. Youth Parliament
10. Al Rakiza Democrat forum
11. Civic lab aldeain
12. Sudanese organization for justice and human rights
13. New Generation Organization for Peace and Development
14. Youth Hub
15. منظمة شباب للتطوير والتنمية – السودان
16. شبكة التنوير السودانية