A Significant UN Document Overlooked by Sudanese Media

Sudanhorizon- by Mohamed Osman Adam
If the reader overlooks the clauses related to what could be considered RP and the effort to maintain a minimum of semblance of affinity with the parties to the conflict in Sudan, he will be surprised to find that this UN report was nothing more than a full condemnation of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which in fact deserved far more. Reference here is made to the concluding statement issued by Radwan Nouicer, the UN-appointed expert on human rights in Sudan.
In the statement Nouicer delivered three days ago in Geneva (August 5, 2025) on the occasion of the end of his term in this mission, the statement consists of approximately 24 paragraphs, including three concluding summary paragraphs, six paragraphs devoted to the government side, five general paragraphs on the meeting with the UN and NGOs and the visit to displacement camps, and six paragraphs devoted to the RSF. This detail is truly interesting.
Of the paragraphs devoted to the government: four praise and commendation of the government’s positions, two criticize its positions regarding the bombing of areas “that may affect civilians,” its failure to amend laws, and the arrest of suspects collaborating with the rebellion, and three contain recommendations and a conclusion. The six paragraphs devoted to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are explicit condemnations, rebukes, and outright criticism, which brings us back to the opening paragraph of this article: that is, if we omit the usual statements issued by UN and international experts who seek to appear neutral and impartial, even if that party is found guilty, one wonders why the Sudanese state media has not highlighted this report or even published it in full. Not only does it praise the government’s positions, but it also highlights the human rights official’s categorical refusal to recognize, let alone cooperate with, the parallel government led by the RSF. While it praises the establishment of a civilian cabinet led by Dr. Kamil Idris, the statement also holds the RSF responsible for 90% of the atrocities and violations mentioned. He said the results of this visit will be included in the annual report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the situation of human rights in Sudan, which will be presented to the sixty-first session of the Human Rights Council, REALLY!!!:
Radhouane Nouicer, the expert appointed by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the situation of human rights in Sudan, said in his statement that he had concluded his visit to Port Sudan, which extended from July 27 to 31, 2025. This was his second visit to the country since the outbreak of the conflict in April 2023. The objective of the mission was to continue assessing the human rights and humanitarian situation in Sudan, enhance engagement with authorities at various levels, express his concern about the deteriorating human rights situation, and encourage increased attention to the needs of populations affected by the armed conflict.
He noted that prior to his visit to Port Sudan, he had held virtual meetings with representatives of civil society organizations, including women’s groups, human rights defenders, lawyers, and journalists.
He said, he would like to express his gratitude to the authorities for their cooperation and facilitation of his visit. During his mission, he met with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Justice, the National Follow-up Mechanism, the Attorney General, the Governor of Darfur, as well as the Chairman and members of the National Commission for Human Rights.
However, he refused to meet with the other party because it sought, (to outsmart him), to have the UN recognize the parallel government when it meets with its representatives under the banner of the Rapid Support Forces. He emphasized that when the Rapid Support Forces nominated a delegation under the banner of the “Sudan Foundation Alliance,” he refused to meet with them, “which led to the cancellation of the meeting. The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North also did not confirm the proposed meeting date.”
He also reached out to UN officials and humanitarian partners to seek their views on key issues in Sudan. In this context, he held additional meetings with civil society actors, commending their steadfast commitment to promoting and protecting human rights in an extremely challenging environment. He said he had the opportunity to visit an internally displaced persons (IDP) site hosting female-headed households, including those displaced from Khartoum and Darfur. He met with the displaced to gather firsthand information on how the conflict has impacted their lives. He added he was deeply saddened by their situation—women and children, some with disabilities, living in tents under the scorching sun, with humanitarian aid and services such as food, water, sanitation, and healthcare halted for months due to a lack of funding. The coming rainy season will exacerbate the crisis for millions of IDPs, pushing an already dire situation toward full-scale catastrophe. He reiterated the key human rights concerns previously raised during his visit in July 2024, which still requires urgent attention: the protection of civilians, facilitating the delivery of humanitarian assistance, supporting civil society space, and accountability.
Here, he criticized the government, saying, while his discussions with the authorities were frank and transparent, he has noted that tangible progress on these critical issues remains very limited since his previous visit. He said he has repeatedly emphasized that the protection of civilians falls primarily on the Sudanese authorities, and that impunity has been a major driver of the ongoing conflict.
He immediately followed this with a harsh and strong criticism of the Rapid Support Forces under the heading “Violence and Abuses,” where he said:
Regarding the protection of civilians, “I am deeply concerned by the escalation of violence in North Darfur and the Kordofan region, particularly attacks by the Rapid Support Forces against civilians,” as well as indiscriminate attacks resulting in deaths, injuries, and the destruction of civilian property and vital infrastructure. Reports of sexual violence and forced displacement exacerbate the humanitarian toll. The consequences of the ongoing siege of Al Fashir remain extremely severe for civilians.”
This was followed by another paragraph: “During my visits, I highlighted disturbing reports of sexual violence against women and girls, including during displacement – most of which has been attributed to the Rapid Support Forces. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Sudan has documented more than 390 incidents of sexual violence, including rape and gang rape, since the conflict began. The actual number is likely to be much higher, as reporting continues to decline due to fear of stigma, reprisals, and other factors.”
He added: “I expressed concern about the increasing reports of hate speech in several areas of Sudan and emphasized the importance of the country’s ethnic, linguistic, and cultural diversity as a fundamental part of its social fabric. Preserving this diversity is essential to avoid further fragmentation along geographic, tribal, or ethnic lines.”
In light of the Rapid Support Forces’ refusal to abide by a humanitarian truce in Al FashIr, he said, “I am deeply concerned about the humanitarian and protection crisis in the area, including the Abu Shouk IDP camp, which has faced repeated attacks in recent months, leading to a sharp deterioration in the situation.” He followed this with praise for the government, saying, “In this regard, I welcomed the positive step taken by the Sudanese authorities in signing the revised Framework for Cooperation with the United Nations on preventing and responding to conflict-related sexual violence in April 2025. This framework demonstrates a willingness to address and prevent sexual violence, ensure comprehensive services for survivors, and support accountability.”
I also raised concerns about Sudanese Armed Forces attacks on civilian population centers, including recent airstrikes in Darfur and Kordofan. I reminded all parties to the conflict of their obligation to distinguish at all times between civilian and military targets. Attacks must be directed only at military objects, taking constant care to spare civilians and civilian infrastructure.
Hate Speech and the Rule of Law
Regarding the rule of law and accountability, which he acknowledged were the government’s right and responsibility, he expressed concern about increasing reports of arbitrary arrests and detentions, as well as the increasing number of harsh sentences—including death sentences—issued for “collaborating” with the Rapid Support Forces. This raises serious human rights concerns, particularly in light of the widespread violations of fair trial guarantees.
He followed this with praise for the government’s stance, saying, “In my meeting with the Attorney General, he briefed me on the progress of the National Investigation Committee into crimes and violations of domestic and international law. He stated that more than 120,000 cases have been opened, and more than 300 cases have been filed against members of the regular forces, including the military, with some immunities lifted. This is a welcome development.”
He expressed deep concern about the shrinking civic space, including arbitrary restrictions, harassment, and arrests targeting civil society. He emphasized the pivotal role of civil society in crisis response. He also expressed regret that reforms aimed at reviewing emergency laws had been suspended before the outbreak of the conflict. He stressed the need to review these laws, which grant sweeping powers without judicial oversight.
“In this context, I welcomed the Minister of Justice’s positive response regarding the activation of the Emergency Laws Review Committee.”
In addition, I highlighted the importance of the Adré border crossing between Chad and Sudan as a critical humanitarian lifeline. I urged that its reopening be extended beyond the current deadline of August 15 to enable the continuation of humanitarian convoys.
In condemning the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), he highlighted the severe restrictions on access to severely affected areas, referring to the militia’s siege of Al Fashir and Zamzam, towns in North Darfur and Kordofan, where heavy fighting has exacerbated the humanitarian situation. Famine has already been confirmed in some areas, with warnings of its spread. He also expressed deep concern over the lack of funding for the humanitarian response and called on donors to urgently increase their support and fulfill the pledges they made in London on April 15 of this year. He encouraged the authorities to expedite the issuance of visas and residence permits for UN and humanitarian staff.
He said he met with the National Human Rights Commission, congratulated the newly appointed members, and urged them to adhere to the highest standards of impartiality, independence, and transparency.
He noted that his meeting with the Minister of Justice was constructive. The minister has expressed his readiness to continue cooperating with the UN envoy’s mandate and with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Sudan, including capacity-building efforts.
He complained that the ongoing war has led to a sharp deterioration in Sudan’s already fragile economy. Prices of basic commodities—food, fuel, and medicine—have risen sharply amid a deteriorating humanitarian situation. The Sudanese pound has fallen from around 500 Sudanese pounds to the US dollar before the conflict to more than 2,500 pounds—a 500% decline. Nouicer demonstrated in his report that, “As in all armed conflicts, civilians—particularly women and children—bear the brunt of displacement, loss, and untold suffering. Persons with disabilities are disproportionately affected, and their needs are often overlooked. In my discussions with them, they reported enormous challenges in fleeing conflict zones and a lack of adequate services in areas of displacement.” He added, “I call on authorities and humanitarian actors to prioritize comprehensive support for persons with disabilities.”
Conclusion
Every day this conflict continues, innocent lives are lost, communities are torn apart, and trauma is exacerbated—traumas that will haunt generations to come. War will not bring a solution. Only peace and dialogue can return Sudan’s children to school, return displaced people to their homes, and revive peaceful coexistence in the country.
I take this opportunity to express my best wishes to the head of the newly appointed civilian ministers and his cabinet. I hope this represents a step towards an inclusive, technocratic administration that lays the foundations for peace and restores ties between the Sudanese people and their authorities. I reiterate the need for inclusive consultations with civilian actors, the meaningful participation of women, a ceasefire, the provision of basic services, and a sustainable solution based on respect for the human rights of all.
“The future requires more than just ceasefires and negotiations—it requires a genuine commitment to justice, accountability, and inclusive governance. The international community must not stand idly by. It must act urgently to enforce an arms embargo, support local peacebuilders, and ensure full humanitarian access. Parties to the conflict must prioritize the interests of civilians over political gains and chart a future based on reconciliation and human rights.”

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