ICAO’s Silence on Attacks Against Sudan’s Civil Aviation Infrastructure: Double Standards

Sami Mohamed Al-Amin

In a notable development, the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) issued a resolution on 31 March 2026 condemning Iran for violating the territorial sovereignty and airspace of several member states and for endangering aviation safety and security, citing Article 1 of the 1944 Chicago Convention. The resolution stressed the dangers of using drones for military purposes against civil aviation infrastructure and the direct threat this poses to its safety and security.

Despite the importance of this resolution in reaffirming the principles of international aviation law, it raises fundamental questions about the ICAO’s consistency in applying these principles—particularly in light of its conspicuous silence regarding the grave and ongoing violations inflicted upon Sudan’s civil aviation infrastructure by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

This stark disparity in response calls into question ICAO’s credibility and invites a deeper examination of potential double standards that may undermine its effectiveness in protecting global civil aviation from unlawful interference, regardless of its source or the nature of the perpetrator.

The International Legal Framework for the Protection of Civil Aviation
The international civil aviation system is founded upon a series of conventions and treaties designed to ensure the safety and security of air navigation. The 1944 Chicago Convention remains the cornerstone of this framework, with Article 1 clearly stating that “every state has complete and exclusive sovereignty over the airspace above its territory”. This sovereignty entails a responsibility to protect national airspace and civil aviation infrastructure.

The 1984 amendment (Article 3 bis) further obliges states to refrain from using weapons against civil aircraft in flight and to avoid endangering lives on board. Annex 17 to the Convention, titled “Aviation Security: Safeguarding International Civil Aviation Against Acts of Unlawful Interference”, sets out international standards and recommended practices for protecting civil aviation from security threats.

In addition, the 1971 Montreal Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Civil Aviation explicitly criminalises the destruction or damage of air navigation facilities or interference with their operation when such acts endanger aircraft in flight. The 2010 Beijing Protocol expanded these offences to include the use of aircraft as weapons and attacks against airports and navigation facilities using biological, chemical, nuclear, or other means, causing significant destruction.

Together, these legal instruments establish an absolute prohibition against targeting civil aviation infrastructure or endangering its safety. United Nations Security Council Resolution 2309 (2016) further reinforces states’ responsibility to protect civil aviation from terrorist attacks and unlawful interference.

Violations Against Sudan’s Civil Aviation Sector

Since the armed rebellion of the Rapid Support Forces in April 2023, Sudan’s civil aviation sector has suffered catastrophic damage. The violations have gone far beyond disruption of air traffic to include systematic targeting and large-scale destruction of vital infrastructure.

Khartoum International Airport stands as a stark example. At least 28 civilian aircraft parked at the airport were destroyed—representing a major loss to Sudan’s aviation fleet. Even more serious was the targeting of the air navigation centre, with the destruction of radar systems, communications networks, and essential technical equipment forming the backbone of air traffic control.

This destruction resulted in the loss of control over Sudan’s Flight Information Region (FIR), rendering it unsafe for civil aviation. International airlines were forced to avoid Sudanese airspace entirely, especially after authorities closed it under a controversial decision, thereby affecting regional and global flight routes.

Moreover, the RSF used drones to target civilian airports, including Khartoum, Merowe, and Port Sudan—acts similar in nature to those for which Iran was recently condemned.

These actions constitute not only violations of international humanitarian law but also clear breaches of all international conventions protecting civil aviation, placing civilian lives and aircraft safety at direct risk.

Disparity in ICAO’s Response

The contrast between ICAO’s swift and firm response to alleged violations by Iran and its prolonged silence—lasting more than three years—regarding the catastrophe in Sudan raises serious concerns about its neutrality and effectiveness.

While the ICAO Council condemned Iran for using drones against civilian infrastructure in a regional conflict, it has issued no comparable condemnation of the Rapid Support Forces, which destroyed Sudan’s air navigation centre, occupied airports, converted them into military bases, and used drones to target them.

This discrepancy suggests a clear inconsistency in ICAO’s decision-making, potentially influenced by geopolitical considerations and the interests of major powers. Such an approach undermines not only principles of justice and fairness but also the integrity of the entire international aviation legal framework. It may embolden non-state actors to commit similar violations without fear of accountability, thereby endangering global aviation security.

Broader Implications

The continued silence of ICAO on Sudan has consequences that extend beyond regional boundaries. Sudan occupies a strategic geographic position, and disruptions to its airspace affect aviation routes between Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Moreover, tolerating attacks on civil aviation infrastructure by non-state actors sends a dangerous message that such acts may go unpunished, potentially encouraging similar violations in other conflict zones.

Legally, the inconsistent application of international law undermines its credibility. If ICAO, as the global authority on civil aviation, cannot enforce its principles impartially, its ability to safeguard aviation in the future will be weakened.

Morally, ICAO’s silence regarding the suffering of the Sudanese people and the destruction of national infrastructure—while taking firm positions elsewhere—raises doubts about its commitment to neutrality and justice.

The Way Forward

In light of this situation, Sudanese authorities—including the Civil Aviation Authority, its delegation to ICAO, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Sudanese Embassy in Canada—must act promptly and effectively to engage ICAO through sustained formal communication.

A comprehensive dossier should be prepared, documenting all violations against Sudan’s civil aviation infrastructure, particularly the damage to Khartoum International Airport and the air navigation centre, and the implications for regional and global aviation safety. This dossier should include photographic evidence, technical reports, and witness testimony demonstrating the scale of the destruction and the associated risks.

The matter should also be escalated to the United Nations Security Council and other relevant international bodies to demand an independent international investigation and accountability for those responsible.

The international community must recognise that targeting civil aviation infrastructure anywhere constitutes a threat to global aviation security and requires a unified, impartial response.

Conclusion

ICAO’s condemnation of Iran represents a necessary step towards safeguarding civil aviation. However, this principle must be applied universally, to all violations regardless of where they occur or who commits them.

Double standards do not serve justice or enhance security; they undermine both and weaken international institutions. ICAO must review its approach and adopt a consistent and firm stance against any entity targeting civil aviation, thereby restoring confidence in its role as a neutral and responsible global authority.

Sudan, for its part, should reposition itself and re-engage with the East and Central African regional office to secure broader African support in international forums.

— Civil Aviation Expert

Shortlink: https://sudanhorizon.com/?p=12742