Category: Blog

Letter to the United Nations Security Council in Commemoration of World Refugee Day

To: H.E. Mr. Ferit Hoxha

Representative to the United Nations

Permanent Mission of the Republic of Albania to the United Nations

288 E 45th St. 7th Floor 

New York, NY 10017

Cc: All Member States of the United Nations Security Council 

Stand with Sudanese Refugees

For Civilian Protection 

Your Excellency Ambassador Hoxha,

Darfur Women Action Group (DWAG) is writing to you in commemoration of World Refugee Day, June 20th, to express its grave concern about the situation that Sudanese refugees are facing, in particular, those displaced because of the genocidal violence that has been occurring in Darfur for nearly 20 years. 

The Darfur genocide, which began in the early 2000s under the leadership of former president Omar al-Bashir, has led to the displacement of over three million people, of which hundreds of thousands have been forced to seek refuge across Africa, particularly in neighboring countries such as Chad, which hosts 370,000 Darfuris and Egypt, which hosts a 56,100 Sudanese refugee, the overwhelming majority of which are Darfuris respectively. Despite the overthrow of Bashir in 2019 and efforts towards a transition to democracy in Sudan, genocidal violence and skyrocketing levels of displacement continued to plague Darfur. Now, the October 25th military coup has further emboldened and energized the Janjaweed and RSF to escalate its attacks in Darfur because they know they may commit them without repercussions. Today the situation across Darfur is reaching catastrophic levels, with unimaginable loss of lives and humanitarian crises inflicting unbearable pain and suffering on innocent men, women, and children. While violence has escalated throughout the region, West Darfur has experienced levels of brutal violence that have not been seen since the early days of the genocide. We fear that if the violence continues to escalate, it will cause even higher levels of displacement and suffering for the people of Darfur. 

DWAG is extremely alarmed by the situation Darfuri refugees are facing upon their arrival into what are supposed to be safer conditions. The majority of the 370,000 Darfuri refugees in Chad live in refugee camps and host communities in the regions of Ennedi-Est, Wadi Fira, Ouaddai, and Sila, which are located near the border between the two countries. While most Darfuris arrived in Chad following the genocidal campaign that began in 2002, due to the escalation of violence in West Darfur since the October coup, more than 12,000 Sudanese refugees, most of them children, women, and seniors, have arrived in Chad. Nevertheless, the situation remains catastrophic for Darfuri refugees in Chad, as the security situation is very precarious. Numerous reports of violent attacks and theft at gunpoint targeting Darfuri refugees have been reported. In addition, the overall level of humanitarian needs remains high. Among refugees in camps, access to income-generating opportunities is low, which drives the need for support for food security and livelihoods. Access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) and health services is limited because of outdated infrastructure in camps, which is often more than 15 years old. In these refugee-hosting regions of Eastern Chad, the rate of access to potable water is estimated to be only about 50%. In recent years, humanitarian needs have been negatively impacted by significant funding shortfalls and a declining level of food assistance provided to refugees from Darfur. The conditions that Darfuri refugees face in Chad should not be tolerated by the international community and must be addressed this World Refugee Day.

Moreover, the Darfur genocide has caused countless Darfuris to seek refuge in Egypt, but the vast majority of Darfur refugees in Egypt are not officially registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). It is estimated that there are hundreds of thousands of Darfuri refugees in Egypt, but only around 24,000 are officially registered by the UNHCR in Cairo. Egypt is a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol and to the Organization of African Unity’sUnity’s 1969 Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa. However, Egypt has no domestic procedures and institutions for the protection of vulnerable asylum seekers. The Egypt office of UNHCR carries out all aspects of registration, documentation, and refugee status determination. UNHCR has tried to ensure that the Egyptian government takes on the responsibility for refugee status determination to meet its legal commitments under the conventions, but the Egyptian government not only refused but it sent UNHCR a letter stating some significant reservations to the conventions, which limited refugees access to education, healthcare, and employment. As a result, UNHCR is responsible for processing the refugee applications and assisting in resettlement, but due to budget cuts, the UNHCR office in Cairo has been unable to meet the needs of all the refugees in Egypt. This has led many to live under miserable conditions for long years, lacking basic health, education, and social services. They have also been subjected to racism, discrimination, and poor treatment by Egyptian and Sudanese authorities not only because of the Egyptian government’s affiliation with the Sudanese military and Bashir regime, but with the negative stigma surrounding refugees, and indigenous Africans, in particular. Even in attempts to flee to a third country such as Israel, they have been subjected to torture and killing by traffickers or Egyptian border guards. Furthermore, Sources in Cairo have confirmed that women and children living in Egypt have recently become more at risk of sexual violence and killing and are systematically targeted for crimes and retaliation by the host community with no international or local protection mechanism. 

The 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, both legally binding documents, emphasize that state parties are expected to cooperate in ensuring that the rights of refugees are respected and protected. Therefore, we urge you to address this dire situation with the swift concern and attention it deserves and be the voice for Darfuri refugees so that the Albanian government and the United Nations Security Council may undertake urgent action to provide adequate protection and services to those in need. 

DWAG calls upon the United Nations Security Council to take the following actions: 

  • Increase food and WASH assistance to provide adequate living conditions to Darfuri refugees in Chad and Egypt; 
  • Pressure members states that are hosting Darfuri refugees to increase security for refugees in the areas surrounding camps;
  • Convene an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council to address the situation in Sudan, in particular Darfur, to rally multilateral action to prevent attacks against civilians to prevent further displacement. 
  • Authorize a United Nations force to protect civilians in Darfur;
  • Hold the Sudanese leaders accountable for the escalating violence;  
  • Appeal to the western nations accepting refugees to increase their refugees’ quota and give priority to Darfuri refugees to be protected;
  • Demand the immediate surrender of al-Bashir, Haroun, and Hussein to The Hague to hold them accountable for their crimes against the people of Darfur.

We appreciate your urgent and kind consideration. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us for more information or with any questions.

Sincerely,

Niemat Ahmadi

Founder and President

Darfur Women Action Group

1629 K St. NW 

Suite #300

Washington, D.C. 20006

United States

Promising Update: Abd-Al-Rahman, “Ali Kushayb,” Trial at International Criminal Court

As the first week of the International Criminal Court (ICC) trial of Abd-Al-Rahman, better known as “Ali Kushayb,” comes to a close, we want to commend the powerful statements by the prosecution and the bravery of the victims, who will come forward, albeit anonymously, to tell their stories. The judges have authorized 142 victims to participate in the trial. With the brave cooperation of the victims and the tireless work of the prosecution to present strong evidence, we are confident Ali Kushayb will be convicted of all 31 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Victims will finally realize the beginning of long-awaited justice.

ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan began his opening statements by commenting on the start of the Holy Month of Ramadan, in which Muslims fast from dawn to dusk. The breaking of the fast every evening is called iftar. He analogized and noted that in Sudan, “there has been another fast that they have been partaking, not because it is their choice, but it is the waiting for justice, and from that perspective, this is a momentous day. It is an iftar of sorts for the millions of Sudanese throughout the world for this day to come.” 

Ali Kushayb was a former leader of the cruel Janjaweed militia. He is responsible for leading the horrific operations of systematic murder, torture, and rape of innocent men, women, and children. Ali Kushayb, as described by witnesses, tortured them through beating, and has killed people with an axe. Additionally, he ordered the execution of at least 5 children between the ages of 10 to 12. Ali Kushayb also commonly arrested people with the guise that they were “rebels” and would order the Janjaweed to murder them. In one instance, the Janjaweed murdered 137 people over the course of just 3 days. This is only the beginning of victim testimony. While these details are excruciatingly painful to hear, it is imperative to tell the stories of the victims, so that each of them have their day in court. It is also imperative to share these stories to achieve justice and raise public awareness of the Darfur genocide.

Ali Kushayb, who has pleaded not guilty to all 31 counts, in his opening remarks claimed that,  “I came of my own free will. No one brought me here. I came here to correct the misleading falsehoods attributed to me, and I congratulate the International Criminal Court for being a fair court of law.” We must disagree that the charges against him are “misleading falsehoods.” It is no surprise that he denies the charges, but we have no doubt that the ICC has a qualified prosecution team, team of lawyers, and judges presiding over the case, that will no doubt deliver the justice that Darfuri victims deserve. The process of justice may take time, but the truth will eventually come out in the coming months. We are looking forward to witnessing innocent Darfuris and Sudanese people, affected by his inhumane crimes, rejoice in seeing him behind bars. 

In the meantime, we ask the public to stand in solidarity with Darfur and continue to support not only the Ali Kushayb trial, but to demand accountability for other indictees. We ask the public, our supporters and partners, to bring attention on social media and through other means to the situation in Darfur and Sudan at large. We equally urge the media to keep the coverage and focus on this important case that has been largely neglected for years. Additionally, we demand the international community, the UN and its bodies, including the UN Security Council, and the member states of the ICC to continue its efforts to hold other perpetrators of the Darfur genocide accountable. Former President Omar Al-Bashir still remains at large and orchestrated the genocide under his regime. Justice is not just convicting Ali Kushayb, but convicting all perpetrators responsible for the mass atrocities committed in Darfur for the past 20 years. Together, through our efforts, we can stop and prevent further genocide in Darfur.

We urge the United States to support accountability for crimes in Sudan because there will not be peace, security or stability in Sudan unless there is accountability. We urge you all to stand with us collectively to empower the victims and the affected communities to seek justice and restore their livelihood.

Genocide Awareness and Prevention Month

A Future Without Genocide

This April, as we mark Genocide Awareness and Prevention Month, Darfur Women Action Group (DWAG) is launching a month-long campaign to bring the needed attention to the long-standing Genocide in Darfur. This month was chosen because April contains many significant dates in the history of Genocide. These include the beginnings of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, the Armenian Genocide, and the Anfal campaign against Iraqi Kurds. Genocide Awareness and Prevention Month aims to share knowledge about what Genocide is, past genocides, and the continuing fight against Genocide today. As we come together this month, we must commemorate the past by recognizing those who lost their lives and demanding accountability for past and present crimes.  

Sadly, the Genocide that started 20 years ago in Darfur has not been resolved, and millions of victims continue to suffer while living in deplorable conditions and remain under constant attack. Beginning in 2002/2003, the government of Sudan initiated a genocidal campaign in Darfur, and by 2006 over 300,000 civilians, disproportionately women and children were slaughtered. During the Genocide, over 3 million people were forced to flee their homes, and 2.7 million are still living in camps. Widespread displacement continues to affect the Darfuri people. Beyond the targeted slaughter, countless women and girls are subjected to rape and other forms of gender-based violence by government soldiers as a tool of Genocide. 

The crimes committed against the people of Darfur are crimes of a global magnitude. Although some world leaders have made strong statements about the need to hold those perpetrators accountable, they have failed to take concerted action to bring the individuals responsible for these crimes to face justice. Moreover, the recent developments in Sudan are a clear indicator of the consequences when the international community fails to hold despotic leaders accountable. Their inaction has emboldened the military to continue the tactics of the Bashir regime of violating international human rights and humanitarian laws, usurping power through a coup, and killing innocent civilians. 

To commemorate the past, we must fight for accountability for present crimes and prevent future occurrences of Genocide. Darfur Women Action Group (DWAG) will be commemorating the 2022 Genocide Prevention Month by raising awareness of the Darfur genocide with a special focus on accountability through the theme of “A Future Without Genocide.” Darfur genocide continues today because our leaders fail to impose consequences for those responsible. Additionally, this special focus will also highlight the trial of Abd-Al-Rahman, better known as “Ali Kushayb,” the former Janjaweed militia leader. His trial with the International Criminal Court (ICC) will begin on April 5, 2022. The ICC has charged Kushayb with 31 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Despite this progress, four more indicted criminals have yet to be brought to justice, while many Janjaweed leaders and militiamen who committed mass atrocities have yet to be charged or prosecuted. For example, the ICC has charged the former President of Sudan Omar Al-Bashir, with war crimes and crimes against humanity, but he remains at large. Al-Bashir orchestrated and is complicit in the Darfur genocide that happened under his regime. Therefore, we must rally our movement and double our effort to fight for justice. We call on the Biden administration and the member states of the UNSC to publicly speak about the Darfur genocide and demand accountability.

The United States has condemned and suspended aid to Sudan, yet more needs to be done to ensure the restoration of a civilian-led government; pressure must be exercised on Sudanese military officials. The United States must prioritize accountability, promotion of human rights, and life with dignity for the people of Sudan. The United States must stand with the people of Sudan in this time of significant loss and work to bring a civilian-led government that will bring about democracy and sustainable peace. Use the letter on our website to draft an email to your legislator or as a script for a phone call. We must urge the United States government to do more to support the people of Sudan.

We must act now to ensure that Darfur can strive toward a peaceful future. Therefore, the DWAG team would like to invite our supporters and those who believe in a future without genocide to join us in cultivating a collective effort that will ensure that genocide is a story of the past and not the future. This month, we will be holding events that will bring awareness to the Darfur Genocide and highlight the importance of accountability for these atrocitie. We will accompany these events by posting updates on our social media and website. Our goal is not only to raise awareness about the ongoing genocide in Darfur but to demand justice from our leaders in power. In the coming days, we will provide you with more details about our campaign and how you can participate in the multiple action opportunities to make a difference in the lives of the victims in Darfur.

Join us this Genocide Awareness and Prevention Month by participating in our events and efforts to demand justice and accountability. Post in connection with DWAG’s efforts this April by utilizing the hashtag #FutureWithoutGenocide so that we may signal our collective support and solidarity with the people of Darfur and victims of the genocide.

Sincerely,

Darfur Women Action Group

Escalated Violence and Villages Set Ablaze in West Darfur

Darfur Women Action Group (DWAG) is extremely alarmed by the ongoing systematic and escalated attacks in Jebel Moon, West Darfur. We are also alarmed about the overall recent increase in violence in Darfur, which has harmed a number of unarmed civilians.

On March 7th, militias launched an attack in Jebel Moon and nearby areas that killed, displaced and injured many civilians. The attacks include gunmen killing two humanitarian workers and injuring seven. The death toll is most recently at 16 from those attacks and there are 16 wounded. In a more recent deadly attack, militiamen killed 20 people and wounded dozens when they set a number of villages on fire including Berdi, Igra and Kafana. Mohamed Abdallah El Doma, the former wali (governor) of West Darfur, said that the conflicts in West Darfur and Jebel Moon in particular are not tribal conflicts but are “systematic attacks aimed at controlling lands, fertile pastures, and resources such as gold and minerals.” We are saddened and concerned at the loss of life occurring, all in the name of acquiring power and resources.

Furthermore, attackers shot and killed three human rights activists in Jebel Moon. Front Line Defenders, an Irish based organization, confirmed the deaths stating that the activists were assessing human rights violations in West Darfur. Moreover, recurring attacks in Jebel Moon have left at least 36 people dead and 150,000 families displaced. We are extremely saddened and angered to learn of these innocent lives lost and our heartfelt condolences are with the families. Among these recurring attacks, many incidents of sexual violence have also been reported by sources on the ground, where authorities brutally raped and killed women and young girls under 16 years old in an effort to humiliate and instill fear in the community. 

In response to the horrifying violence, the resistance committees in West Darfur are organizing protests in front of state government offices condemning the rising violence in Jebel Moon and demanding action to end it. We stand with the brave resistance committees and support their protests.

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary General (STSG) for Sudan, and head of the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS), Volker Perthes, expressed deep concern over the escalating violence in Jebel Moon. Mr. Perthes encouraged “Sudanese authorities to work actively to restore stability in the region and urges all parties to act with restraint in order to prevent further violence.” We appreciate Mr. Perthes’s statement but in the face of brutality, statements are not enough. It is imperative that the UN demands an investigation and holds attackers accountable. Mr. Perthes calls for Sudanese authorities to restore stability and act with restraint, but that does not change the situation unless the UN takes practical steps and urges the UN Security Council to provide protection for civilians.

These attacks are extremely alarming and are not isolated incidents. This is systematic violence that has been going on for 20 years and counting. Arab militias, supported by the government in Khartoum, deliberately target indigenous Africans, especially in areas that are rich in natural resources and agriculture in Darfur. We strongly denounce the escalating killing and the injuring of civilians and the burning of their villages. Thousands of victims are left without a home or humanitarian assistance. These attacks in Jebel Moon and across Darfur continue to happen because of the lack of accountability for perpetrators. Therefore, DWAG calls on the international community to take strong accountability measures and pressure Sudan to stop its militias from attacking civilians in Darfur. 

We call on the international community, the United States and the UN Security Council to take the following measures; 

  • Demand an immediate investigation into all violent incidents particularly the killings of innocent civilians and rape of women and children
  • Demand Sudan to open unimpeded humanitarian access to those in need
  • Impose targeted sanctions on individuals for committing and promoting gross human rights violations, including travel bans and asset freezing on military generals to ensure financial accountability to limit their access to weapons
  • Impose measures of criminal accountability and support the ICC to investigate the past and present crimes and to bring those responsible to face trial
  • Demand that Sudanese authorities disarm the Janjaweed and withdraw its forces from civilian areas, in particular near the areas of camps for the internally displaced, which will protect civilian life and their human rights
  • We equally urge our supporters to speak up, spread the word and demand their leaders to take swift action to end the suffering and bring lasting peace and stability in Sudan 

It is imperative that the United States and the international community stand with the people of Darfur and Sudan, not the government, by prioritizing accountability, protection of human rights and respect for human dignity in Sudan.  

We must continue to make our voice louder and demand accountability. With our collective effort, we can make the difference and end the suffering in Darfur and across Sudan.

Sample Letter: Sudan Democracy Act

Dear (Senator Name),

My name is (Name), and I am from (state). I am extremely concerned about the situation in Sudan, as it has continued deteriorating since the military takeover. On October 25, 2021, military forces led by Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan staged a coup deposing Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok from power and detaining several other government officials and activists while the military proceeded to dissolve the transitional government. Despite facing an uphill battle against military forces determined to continue their illegitimate grip on power, the Sudanese people continue to rise up while peacefully resisting the military coup. However, when the people protest rejecting the coup, they are met with excessive force and imprisonment. As of February 14, 2022, at least 81 individuals have died as a result of the brutal use of force, and hundreds have been injured in Khartoum. Moreover, the military coup has led to an increase in violence across Darfur. As attention is centered in Khartoum, the military has mobilized its proxy militias to wage catastrophic destruction in Darfur with impunity. The resurgence of violence in West, Central, and North Darfur back in November and December resulted in at least 200 innocent civilians dead and about 25,000-30,000 newly displaced people. Our fear is that this situation—if left unaddressed—would descend into a crisis in which many more civilians will lose their lives trying to bring a civilian-led democracy to Sudan. 

The United States has condemned and suspended aid to Sudan, yet more must be done in order to ensure the restoration of a civilian-led government; pressure must be exercised on Sudanese military officials. During a hearing on February 1st, 2022, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee stated that there would be bipartisan legislation to impose targeted sanctions against the Sudanese military officials responsible for the coup so long as the military continues to threaten a democratic transition and violate human rights. Therefore, as your constituent, I am writing to you in solidarity with Darfur Women Action Group (DWAG) to ask for support and accelerate the Sudan Democracy Act before it is too late. 

I appreciate the United States’ efforts in condemning the coup and suspending all aid to the Sudanese government. However, in order to restore a civilian-led government and promote peace and stability, I urge you in your role to demand that the United States must impose targeted sanctions, including asset freezing and travel bans on individuals responsible for the coup and for ordering excessive force against civilians in order to hold them accountable for their actions. The United States must prioritize accountability, promotion of human rights, and life with dignity for the people of Sudan. The United States must stand with the people of Sudan in this time of great loss and work to bring a civilian-led government that will bring about democracy and sustainable peace. As your constituent, I kindly urge you to be our voice and a voice for those voiceless in Sudan by supporting the United States’ efforts to end the crisis in Sudan and supporting the bipartisan Sudan Democracy Act that will impose targeted sanctions on the military junta before it is too late.

Sincerely,

(Name)

Congressional Campaign: Sample Letter and Phone Script

 

Sample Letter

 

Dear (Representative xxx  or Senator Name),

My name is (Name), and I am from (State/District). I am extremely concerned about the situation in Sudan and am writing to you in solidarity with Darfur Women Action Group to ask for your help to urge the Biden administration to hold the military accountable and pressure the Sudanese government to immediately restore to the civilian-led democratic transition. On October 25, 2021, military forces led by Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan staged a coup and deposed Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok from power, detained government officials and activists— at least of which 200 remain in detention. The military forces proceeded to dissolve the transitional government. When the people protested, rejecting the coup, they were met with excessive force. As of December 2, at least 43 individuals have died as a result of this force. These numbers will continue to rise if the Sudanese military remains in power. The military has also imposed an internet and telecommunications blockade to prevent the Sudanese people from telling their story to the international community. Our fear is that this situation — if left unaddressed — would descend into a catastrophic crisis, and more people will lose their lives.

Despite adversity, the Sudanese people continue to rise up, while peacefully resisting the military coup. Prior to the military coup, millions of Sudanese people took to the streets to protest the tensions between the transitional government and its military wing and called for a peaceful transition.

The situation in Sudan needs to put accountability first. The lack of accountability and failure to transfer al-Bashir to the International Criminal Court to put on trial for his crimes has led Lt. General al-Burhan to believe that he can disregard the demands of the people and dismantle the democratic transition without consequences. For this, it is imperative that the United States takes an atrocity prevention approach emphasizing accountability to resolve the current crisis.  As a member of the UN Security Council, the United States is also obligated to support the immediate transfer of the three ICC indictees to the Hague, as these cases were referred to the Court through the unanimous decision on the UN Security Council Resolution 1593.

Since the Sudanese people successfully deposed Omar al-Bashir after years of corrupt and genocidal governance, the Sudanese people have been fighting for their freedom and transparent, democratic rule. For this reason, we urge the (Senate Foreign Relations Committee/ House Foreign Affairs Committee ) to urge the Biden Adminstration to take the following actions:

  1. a) Dispatch a high-level official to Sudan to gather factual information and mediate the tensions.
  2. b) Call for an urgent United Nations Security Council meeting to rally multilateral action against any military takeover in Sudan and to avoid a collapse.
  3. c) Lead the United Nations Security Council to send an investigative mission to Sudan to investigate human rights violations and ensure that there is an international presence in Sudan.
  4. d) Cease all collaboration with Sudanese military officials
  5. e) Impose targeted sanctions, freeze assets, and issue a travel ban on Lt General al-Burhan, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo “Hemeti,” and other military members involved in the coup until they surrender the power to a civilian government.
  6. f) Investigate past crimes and support accountability for present crimes, particularly those committed against protestors
  7. g) Facilitate the creation of multilateral grantees to oversee the implementation of the interim period in Sudan and develop strong accountability measures for parties involved in the event that they violate or pose obstacles to the implementation of the interim arrangements.

We appreciate the US effort and its condemnation of the coup; however, Sudan needs robust accountability measures to avert a catastrophe. The United States must stand with the people of Sudan in their calls for a civilian-led democracy. As your constituent, I urge you to continue to monitor the crisis in Sudan and move to take the aforementioned actions before it is too late.

Sincerely,

(Name)

Phone Banking Script*:

Hello, my name is (name), and I am your constituent from (City, State). I am calling to ask (Congressperson’s name) to urge the Biden Administration to put pressure on military leaders in Sudan, in particular, Lt. General al-Burhan, to immediately step down and allow the safe restoration of a civilian-led government in Sudan.Since Omar al-Bashir was successfully deposed in the 2019 revolution after 30 years of corrupt and genocidal governance, the Sudanese people have been fighting for their freedom and transparent, democratic rule. The military coup that was conducted on October 25th is a major blow to democratization progress and the prospect of peace in Sudan. With the military cracking down on opponents, signaling its ties to the former regime, and cutting off internet access, the window of opportunity is slowly diminishing. It is time to stand with the Sudanese people as they fight for their last hold on freedom and democracy. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Letter Writing/Email Script:

Hello (Congressperson’s Name),

My name is (name), and I am your constituent from (state). I am emailing you on behalf of Darfur Women Action Group to ask for your help to urge the Biden administration put pressure on military leaders in Sudan, in particular, Lt. General al-Burhan, to immediately step down and allow the safe restoration of a civilian-led government in Sudan. Since Omar al-Bashir was successfully deposed in the 2019 revolution after 30 years of corrupt and genocidal governance, the Sudanese people have been fighting for their freedom and transparent, democratic rule. The military coup that was conducted on October 25th is a major blow to democratization progress and the prospect of peace in Sudan. With the military cracking down on opponents, signaling its ties to the former regime, and cutting off internet access and releasing al-Bashir’s allies from detention, the window of opportunity is slowly diminishing. It is time to stand with the Sudanese people as they fight for their last hold on freedom and democracy. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

(Name)

*List website where people can find there representatives/senators and their contact information


Civilian-led Government: Fulfilling the Promise of the Interim Sudanese Government—Women’s Participation in all Levels of Decision-Making

By Ana Torres

 

Like in any other nation, Sudanese women have contributed to shaping the history of their country, demonstrating outstanding leadership to shape the future of Sudan. However, when it comes to political participation, they have been completely sidelined from meaningful participation in public institutions for decades at the hands of the Bashir regime and his archaic and oppressive laws against women. This, in addition to the long-standing crises and economic disparities, worsens gender inequalities and pre-existing patterns of cultural barriers that promote discrimination against women. Nevertheless, Sudanese women have remained remarkably resilient, as they were instrumental in the 2019 revolution that ousted Bashir’s authoritarian regime. Despite their leading efforts in ushering in a new era for their country, Sudanese women continued to be excluded from the transition arrangement and the peace process in Sudan. The interim government, despite the promise to integrate women’s voices, showed no genuine interest in fulfilling it. As a result, women’s representation in the interim government and implementation of the Juba Peace Agreement were inadequate. 

Even worse now, following the military takeover, the civic space for women to have their voices heard has shrunk significantly. Negotiations to resolve the current crisis in Sudan have also been inadequate, as international actors have not prioritized women’s participation. Women must be included in the negotiations because sustainable change in Sudan cannot be achieved without their active participation. However, to ensure women’s meaningful inclusion and participation at all levels of decision-making in Sudan, a civilian-led government must be restored. Without it, the civic space for women will continue to be limited. Therefore, international actors must hold accountable those responsible for orchestrating the coup and immediately restore a civilian-led government to ensure women’s active participation in all levels of decision-making to achieve the societal change that the Sudanese people have been demanding. 

Sudanese women were instrumental figures in the revolution that overthrew al-Bashir in 2019. News outlets estimated that about 70 percent of the protesters were women who not only marched at the frontlines of the protests but were committed to providing food, resources, and information for other protestors. Yet even with the pivotal role women played in the revolution, this did not translate to adequate levels of participation in the post-revolution political processes. Women were sidelined during the negotiations between the Transitional Military Council and Forces for Freedom and Change in 2019 that led to the interim government. This resulted in low representation of women despite the interim government’s obligations under the Constitutional Charter, which stipulated that women must constitute 40% of the leaders of the Transitional Legislative Council’s members. Article 1.20 of the Juba Peace Agreement signed in October 2020 also states the importance of women’s representation at all levels of decision-making and emphasizes that women’s representation at all levels of power and decision-making must be no less than 40 percent. The interim government did not adhere to the promises made in these documents, as women’s representation in Sudan on all levels remained at abysmal levels. 

The initial transitional government formed after the agreement between the Military Council and Forces for Freedom and Change was composed of an 18-member Cabinet of Ministers, of which only four were women, and an 11-member Sovereign Council, of which only two were women. Thus, the total rate of women’s participation at the outset of the formation of the interim government was 20.6 percent. Tragically, these numbers decreased rather than increased as the transitional period continued. The Juba Peace Agreement led to the reshuffle of the interim government, as it required both the Cabinet of Ministers and Sovereign Council to incorporate rebels into leadership positions. Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok’s cabinet also increased the number of cabinet members to 25. The Sovereign Council added three more seats for the rebels, creating a 14-member council. Yet, despite the increase in political leaders within the interim government, the number of women within it remained the same. Then in May 2021, one of the two women serving on the Sovereign Council, Aisha Musa El-Said, resigned, accusing the military component of the transitional government of sidelining civilian voices. Such developments decreased women’s participation in the interim government from 20.6 percent to 12 percent. Similarly, women’s participation remained low on the regional level, as only two women were appointed as governors out of the 18 states in Sudan. This means that total women’s participation at the regional level remained a pathetic 11 percent. 

Despite these challenges, Sudanese women remained remarkably resilient, as they continuously demanded the interim government fulfill its obligation to ensure their full and meaningful participation in all levels of decision-making. For instance, after Prime Minister Hamdok announced the 18 new state governors last year, women protested against the low levels of their representation in high-level government positions and demanded a commitment to the agreed-upon participation rate of 40 percent. In addition, the Darfuri women that took part in the Juba Peace Agreement negotiations accused the interim Sudanese government, Peace Commission, and rebel movements of violating the Juba Peace Agreement’s provision on the representation of women in governance. Unfortunately, the interim government continued to fail Sudanese women by not keeping its promise and adhering to the agreement. 

Now, with the military takeover, the civic space for women has severely shrunk, making it nearly impossible for women to make their voices heard. Although an agreement between the Sudanese military and Prime Minister Hamdok was reached, this agreement has not led to the restoration of a civilian-led government. Rather, the agreement legitimizes the military coup and extends the power of the military over the political transition, undermining any progress made towards the meaningful inclusion of women. While the military was supposed to transfer power to the civilian-led government on November 17, 2021, the agreement between Prime Minister Hamdok and the military modified this timeframe, handing power to the military over the civilian-led government until elections will supposedly be held in 2023. This is extremely concerning because, without a clear timeframe, the military can continue holding overwhelming power over the political transition, resulting in the continued exclusion of women from decision-making. 

Darfur Women Action Group (DWAG) has taken an institutional approach to combat women’s exclusion and strongly advocates for women’s inclusion at all levels of decision-making in Sudan. For this, DWAG has developed a document entitled, “Strategic Framework for Women’s Participation and Empowerment in Sudan,” which analyzes and addresses women’s issues on the basis of three principles: protection, prevention, and participation. DWAG hopes the Strategic Framework will serve as a guide for a National Action Plan to establish equal participation and to secure the protection of women and girls’ human rights. Further, the Strategic Framework creates the foundation that will allow women from across Sudan to work together to mainstream their agenda into public institutions in order for meaningful change to take place. 

To accomplish this, international actors must pressure the military to restore the civilian-led government that can adopt an institutional approach to women’s inclusion in all levels of decision-making. Therefore, international actors must implement strong measures such as targeted sanctions, travel bans, and asset freezing on General al-Burhan, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo “Hemeti,” and other military members until they surrender to a civilian-led government. It is only with a civilian-led government that the demands of women and women-led civil society organizations—particularly those from historically marginalized and conflict-affected communities—will be heard and the promises of the interim government be fulfilled. The inclusion of women in governance would guarantee a Sudanese government that is more unified, representative, and able to tackle the challenges that all people around the country face. 

Sudanese women have demonstrated time and time again that their leadership is critical in affecting societal change and that they must be equally included in the transformation of their country. Thus, when a truly civilian-led government is implemented in Sudan, it must look beyond meeting the 40 percent quota and create a strong civic space where women can have their voices heard; merely meeting the quota is not enough. International and regional actors working in Sudan must also make women’s inclusion a prerequisite for any support or collaboration in Sudan. Furthermore, empowering women civil society leaders and providing them with the tools, access to communication and technology, and economic empowerment must be the foundation for all interventions. These efforts will enable women to bring their voices to the center of decision-making and collectively work for the transformation of Sudan and foster sustainable social change. With women’s active participation in the transition, Sudan will finally undergo the societal change necessary to truly lead the country to a democratic and peaceful future.

Ana Torres is a recent graduate from the University of California, Berkeley, with a B.A. in Political Science with a specialization in International Relations and a minor in Human Rights. She is currently the Outreach and Partnership Building Intern for Darfur Women Action Group.