Archives: Statements

Darfur Women Action Group

International Women’s Day Celebration

A call for  Protection, Inclusion, and Participation 

 

Today at DWAG we  write to mark  the International Women’s Day by congratulating all  women of all backgrounds for their fierce determination to change the face of the world we live in today.   We wish to mark this day by celebrating the resilience, outstanding  leadership and determination of the Sudanese women, to recognize their plight and recommit ourselves to empower them to fight for justice, protection and inclusion. 

It’s worth noting that women in Sudan, particularly Darfur, despite being victims of the most brutal violence and gross human rights abuse, have demonstrated  exceptional resilience, courage and resolve as they persistently continue to rise beyond the cruel circumstances and make differences every day!.

On April 15th, when the war erupted and forced the international actors and stakeholders to evacuate Sudan, and leave an unprecedented humanitarian vacuum, it was the women of Sudan who stepped up and took most daunting responsibility – quickly assembled and organized themselves to provide emergency response to those in need, document atrocities, and identify safe evacuation routes at the risk of their lives. They eventually draw a bold line between despair and hope. It’s indeed an exceptional effort that needs to be recognized and  written in every history book and celebrated every international women’s day and every day! 

 

In Sudan today there is no safe place for women

In the current war in Sudan Rape and various forms of sexual and gender-based violence(SGBV) including abductions and sexual slavery have been confirmed to be committed against women and girls during attacks both on Khartoum and Darfur by RSF fighters. Recent reports also alleged that SAF forces have committed incidents of sexual violence against women in and around some cities. Its even more horrifying that ethnically driven targeting of women have been well documented in the current and the ongoing Darfur genocide. 

While the RSF still occupying and looting  civilians’ homes,  dismayingly using rape and all forms  sexual violences as a war tactic, the SAF is raging heavy artillery shelling,  air strikes, and random attacks continue to  target civilians’ homes, markets, bridges,  basic services, and evacuation routes. As a result, an uncountable number of innocent civilians have been killed, most of them women and children. Regrettably, the accurate  numbers have largely been under-reported as there is no secure environment for data collection with most aid workers being chased out by the eruption of war last year and the security risk it created.It’s worth noting that a majority of the refugees arriving from Sudan are women headed households. Women and children make up the overwhelming majority of the displaced population, nearly 80-85%. It’s evident that during this war women have been the most impacted, not only because of the gross human rights violation they face but also during the times of terror, it is always women grassroot leaders and youth that risked their lives stepping out to help those in urgent need. To make matters worse there’s little to no services available to  meet  women’s emergency needs. In some instances, women civil society leaders have been precisely targeted because of their work and left vulnerable without protection. Sudan today has become the most dangerous place to be a woman- but we must change that. Regrettably we have not seen any global outrage nor seen global solidarity to strengthen the voices of Sudanese women who are fighting for their rights under extremely difficult circumstances.

 

Shameful exclusion of women from decision making arenas 

Although,  a variety of bilateral and multilateral, regional and international initiatives to address the crises in Sudan have emerged, such as  the Jeddah process, the recent IGAD /AU  initiatives, they have utterly  failed to address the magnitude of the crisis or yield tangible impact on the ground. Furthermore, all of these initiatives  have  largely excluded women. Even the  initiatives from the civilian community have been characterized by systemic  exclusion of women and youth,  lack of transparency and coordination, not corresponding with realities on the ground, and unlikely to bring about meaningful and sustainable change on the ground.

Over the years, the international community’s engagement in Sudan has been limited to negotiating with a handful of leaders, who are either the government leaders or the opposition groups. In most cases, these spaces are male-oriented and contingent on a narrowly crafted political agenda exclusive to women’s agenda. The result has been a repeated failure to push change forward. 

 

What must our leaders do? Dedicated efforts and action must be taken.

Therefore, we must urge  UNSC, US government and the African Union to dedicate genuine effort for protection, participation, and effective inclusion of women at all levels of decision-making processes, with clearly defined measures of accountability for crimes committed against women if a durable solution in Sudan is to be realized.

Sudan has remained isolated for 11 months, and the more isolation means more civilian casualties and that less humanitarian aid could  reach those in need. With this context women have become increasingly vulnerable to attacks as they are shouldering their own responsibility of taking care of their families, their society while documenting atrocities and  struggling  to make their voice heard.

It’s worth noting that women, despite being victims of the most brutal violence and gross human rights abuse, their resilience are evident as they persistently continue to rise beyond the cruel circumstances.

Therefore, we wish to take this opportunity to call on the US government, UNSC and the AU to take the following steps to enforce the measures of protection, accountability, and a safe humanitarian corridor in Sudan. These steps are equally  critical in creating an enabling environment for women to safely gather, articulate their agenda,   strategize and effectively participate in all decision-making including peace negotiation. 

 

Recommendations:  

• UNSC to adopt a gender-responsive atrocities prevention framework for resolving crises in Sudan which include UNSC using existing measures at its disposal to pressure the belligerents to immediately cease the war and all the crimes against women. 
• Prioritize strong UN presence on the ground in Sudan for civilian protection, unhindered humanitarian aid delivery and adequate documentation of atrocities. 
• UNSC must propose clear benchmarks for women’s inclusion, and integrate  the UN envoy’s  mandate and obligate its other organs to report periodically on women’s  situation. Financial resources and technical assistance is paramount to ensure women are empowered and enabled to participate from the start including in ceasefire negotiation, monitoring and the long-term peace building effort.
• Criminal and financial accountability for crimes committed in Sudan, with special emphasis on crimes committed against women and women’s inclusion in the process of justice from investigation, during the trial and post-trial arrangements.  Member states must include crimes committed against women a priority measure in sanctions designation, all financials and criminal accountability processes. 
• Adequate funding for women led organizations for documentation and protection of the GVB survivors and restoration of their dignity.  

With our collective effort we will empower, educate, and support women to fight for their rights and seek justice. We believe the women of Sudan have the power but we need to create an enabling environment for them to exercise it and must not let anyone take that away under any circumstances. 

Thank you for your continued support. 

Truly yours,

Niemat Ahmadi, Founder and President of DWAG

 

Darfur Women Action Group (DWAG) is extremely outraged over the killing and the suffering imposed on civilians in Nyala, South Darfur and the lack of adequate response from the international community, including the United States. Over the last week, the people of Nyala city, South Darfur have seen an unprecedented death and destruction since the war in Sudan started. The extensive fighting between the Sudanese Arm Forces and the Raid Support Forces have been fought horrifically inside the city and on civilians’ bodies, with heavy shelling and a large-scale artillery attack for eleven consecutive days across the Southern part of the city, most of which fell into civilian homes and the market. Civilian casualties are on the rise while many more have gone missing. Many families have reported closing their doors forever because they all have been killed.

 

Reports confirm that over 60 civilians have been killed and over 250 have been wounded, while many more have yet to be a counted for because many people are frantic, fleeing for their lives while the phone and internet services are completely blocked. 50,000 people have been reported displaced, many of whom have fled to El Fasher, North Darfur where there are already a large number previously displaced from the towns of Kutum and Tawila, where they are severely lacking survival means and any form of humanitarian assistance. The UNOCHA has confirmed that the number of wounded has exceeded the hospital capacity and the hospitals are out of supplies necessary to perform emergency treatment for the victims. We are alarmed by the scale and the level of devastation created by these attacks and are gravely concern about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Nyala.

 

Nyala is the capital of the South Darfur State, the third largest city in Sudan where the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have clashed for eight consecutive days. These battles have completely disregarded civilian lives and any respect for international human rights and humanitarian laws and must be punishable by law. This conflict continues to wreak havoc on Darfur, resulting in the destruction of an entire state. Due to the overwhelming number of victims stemming from these battles, the hospitals in Nyala are at capacity and are experiencing critical supply shortages. Currently, all state hospitals are out of service as they struggle to care for their patients with their dwindling sanitary materials and medicines.

 

The humanitarian crisis in Nyala has rapidly worsened and expands beyond hospitals, as emergency transportation such as ambulances have been restricted so they cannot reach those who have been injured to provide life-saving assistance, such as first-aid. This has also made it difficult to transport patients to any health facility. Due to the lack of basic needs (including shelter, food, and water) people are dying, while thousands of others have been forced into displacement. Forcing people to flee their homes is a tactic used by the RSF to remove the indigenous African population and take over their homes and land to exterminate and replace the indigenous population with those from Arab origin.

 

The Nyala Emergency Room Initiative calls for both the RSF and SAF to immediately stop bombing, killing, raping, and displacing civilians in the city of Nyala.

 

In addition, called on all humanitarian organizations must swiftly intervene to save the residents of the state through providing:

1. Life-saving medical supplies (medical gauze, intravenous solutions, medical plaster, fracture devices, pain killers, anesthetics, and all emergency medicines)
2. Food, drinking water, tents, protective equipment, and other essential supplies
3. Operating materials for electric generators for hospitals and ambulances

 

With now devastating attacks and the expulsion of Nyala residents, the RSF is planning to repeat what we have witnessed in El Geneina, West Darfur. If Nyla fell under RSF control, this means El Fasher will soon follow and the entire Darfur region will fall into the hands of the exterminators, Janjaweed militias.

 

The situation in Nyala today is echoing the sentiment of the genocidal pattern carried out in El Geneina, and we must not let it be repeated again.

 

Therefore, we urgently call on the United States government to demonstrate the leadership required to lead the UNSC members to undertake the following steps:

• Place Darfur under International Trusteeship to protect civilians and save lives.
• Open an unhindered humanitarian corridor to protect humanitarian actors.
• Impose accountability measure that will help end the war and bring justice to the victims.
• Impose targeted sanctions on individuals (including the generals and their advisers) by freezing assets and imposing a travel ban to limit their ability to acquire weapons from their regional enablers.
• The United States must make it clear to the United Arab Emirates that it must stop sullying weapons and fueling genocide in Darfur and Sudan at large.

 

The United States is a leading government in the world and it is imperative that the US demonstrate leadership in Sudan rather than following the lead of Saudi’s oppressive partisan regime in resolving the crisis in Sudan.

 

The human cost and the humanitarian crisis in Darfur is incredibly urgent and the international community must end its double standard in addressing and responding to the crisis. We must hold the UNSC to a higher standard and remind them that they must meet its obligation to the people of Sudan.

 

DWAG calls on its supporters to spread the word about this humanitarian catastrophe and urges them to appeal, especially to US government, to take leadership on Sudan. In addition, DWAG calls on all international and local humanitarian organizations to intervene to save lives, all media channels, and all international and local newspapers to increase the spotlight on Darfur.

 

The suffering in Darfur has gone on for far too long, and we must tell our leaders that they must not normalize genocide or impunity for such crimes.

 

With our collective effort we can make a difference

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Niemat Ahmadi, DWAG President, DWAG team

Sudan Needs You!

Darfur Needs You Now More than Ever Before. Speak up!

 

Darfur’s catastrophe has been ongoing for over 23 years, and the number of civilian casualties increases every day while the world remains silent.

 

Dear DWAG Supporters,

 

Over 95% of Darfur has fallen Under Rapid Support Forces Control – Legitimizing the Slaughter and Extermination of Indigenous African Population and that is why we are appealing to you for help.

On April 15^th, 2023 two generals started a devastating war in Sudan’s capital over a power struggle for control of the country. The war has quickly spread across Sudan, throwing the entire country into a state of collapse. The warring militias have created unspeakable suffering for the Sudanese people. Death and destruction encapsulate Sudan, particularly in the capital Khartoum where government (SAF) shelling, air bombardment, and machine gun attacks have targeted civilians’ homes, markets, bridges, and evacuation routes. The attacks also targeted basic services including hospitals, electric sources, and water sources. Similar counter attacks and violations were committed by the RSF. Additionally, Janjaweed fighters have occupied civilians’ homes, are expelling the owners, and are attacking or torturing those who refuse to leave. Credible sources have confirmed that rape, sexual, and gender-based violence have been committed against women and girls including abductions and sexual slavery in both Khartoum and during the attacks in Darfur by RSF fighters. On the ground, sources confirmed that an undetermined number of women have been taken away and have yet to be freed to this date. The atrocities committed in Khartoum alone possibly constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity, punishable under international law, and the international community must take action to end it and hold those responsible accountable.

 

The Ethnically Targeted attacks and Extermination of Indigenous African in Darfur

The situation in the Darfur region has escalated at an alarming scale. The nature of the attacks in Darfur are different than in Khartoum. In Darfur the attacks are systemic and precisely directed toward the indigenous African population. Through slaughter, deprivation of access to food, water, medical assistance and by restricting transportation of those in need of urgent medical attention, the RSF have begun to carry out a genocide in Darfur. By blocking access to phone services, internet, electric and other services, the RSF has isolated civilians inside cities to eliminate survival means and deprive civilians of connection and aid. The RSF have also forced the remaining population into a massive exodus. These genocidal tactics have been deliberately used and witnessed in El Geneina, West Darfur’s Kutum City and Tawila City in North Darfur, Mornay, West Darfur. Many more cities have been attacked and completely isolated from the outside world while the RSF forces are moving swiftly through the Darfur region while spreading recorded video messages confirming their intent to destroy and kill more people. Citing their intend by stating that “liberating the land from “Abeed” an Arabic – word for slaves.

Many of us in the diaspora were forced to watch our families and friends being killed, their bodies being degraded, dragged with racial slurs, and circulated online while those who survived were terrified and escorted out of their homeland in an unprecedented humiliating and inhumane act of exodus and expulsion of dignified people by the powerful from the only place they have ever known as home. We had hoped to never to see such atrocities committed while the entire world watches and does very little to halt it.

 

The danger of Darfur being out of the realm of government, fully controlled by  Rapid Support Forces.

More 95% of the greater Darfur region is currently in complete anarchy or out of the realm of government involvement, with lack of any control over its borders. Today, in a region the size of France, only two cities remain partially controlled by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) while the RSF control the other portion of the cities with attacks and occupation of people’s homes and preventing civilians’ movement within and out of the cities.

In mid-June, about seven Shiekh “leaders of civil administration” from 7 Arabs tribes have publicly declared their full support to RSF and urge their youth and men to mobilize to support the RSF in its genocidal attacks and control over Darfur and Sudan.

The only city that has yet to be attacked is El-Daein, the capital of East Darfur state, stronghold of Rezaigat tribes now it has just declared its full support and affiliation to Rapid Support forces, occupied mainly by majority of the tribe affiliated with RSF-Janjaweeds. Sadly, this means now Rapid Support forces has control over the 5 states of Darfur states with exception of Al Fashir and Nyala Cities- This is the most institutionalized genocide while our world leaders are silently watching or limited to a few words of condemnation.

We at DWAG Said No to the silent conspiracy against the ongoing and escalated genocide in Darfur. And that is why we need you to add your voice to ours to compel them to take concerted action to stop the genocide and save lives.

 

Attack in El Geneina

The horrifying massacre and massive exodus of indigenous Africans in El Geneina and the brutal slaughter of the West Darfur governor, Khamis Abakar, by the RSF, should have shocked the world’s consciousness and prompted a rapid response by international communities. Sadly, our leaders including the United States government have limited their action to statements of condemnation while civilians are massacred in an unprecedented mass slaughter.

As evident by the attacks in El Geneina, the RSF and Janjaweed are actively repeating the 2003 Darfur genocide. However, the current situation is worse than 2003 due to the limited ability to deliver humanitarian aid. El Geneina has experienced more than seven additional attacks after the original seven-week siege where thousands of troops stormed the city, targeting the majority of Masalit tribes and occupied neighborhoods, killing over 230 civilians in one day during the first attack.  In a report confirmed by CNN, “more than 5,000 people were reported to have been killed and at least 8,000 injured.”

All the attacks started with RSF forces looting food stores which included the World Food Program and other aid agencies and storage warehouses. Subsequently forces burned the markets, destroyed the hospitals and all clinics, looted, and burned pharmacies, and poisoned most of the main water sources. As confirmed by sources on the ground, this was all done with the deliberate intent of eliminating all means of survival. This occurred while the military SAF stayed in the army garrisons leaving civilians to fend for themselves. A small number of armed opposition troops belonging to Juba peace actors intervened, but they were under equipped and, lacking adequate ammunition to protect civilians, they were quickly overridden by the RAF’s large troops’ advanced weapons including heavy machine guns. This resulted in the Juba forces being slaughtered within the first hour of the attack.

Over 250,000 Darfuris have fled to Chad, but it has been reported that over 50,000 people were forced to remain hostage against their will and prevented from fleeing for safety. While desperately attempting to flee for their lives, many who ventured out were shot and killed instantly. While still under attack, most remaining hostages in El Geneina were dependent on one water source where people lined up for days to get a small amount for their families. Sources confirmed that children were given one cup of water in the morning and another in the evening, barely enough to survive during the course of the month of forced lockdown in El Geneina. This situation in El Geneina is beyond dehumanization and has affected the entire population of the state of West Darfur.

 

The Presence of Multinational Troops in Darfur

Today the dangerous reality of the Darfur situation is that the RSF has proven to be a multi-national militia. While the majority of its troops are from Sudan, many more are descending from west and central African countries, including Arab militias from the Republic of Mali, Niger, Central African Republic, and Libya respectively. Some foreign Militias have previously integrated, and many more have recently crossed the borders to support RSF fighters. The introduction of cross-border uncontrolled troops roaming across six nations alone proves to be a dangerous trend, with the region’s history of terrorist activities from Sudan to Mali and, if left unchecked, it will create ISIS, al-Qaida Army-like forces of regional extremists, fueling crises that both international and regional actors will be forced to respond to – but it will be too late to contain then.

We urge you to speak up and demand an intervention that can stop the genocide in Darfur and prevent Sudan from disintegration.

 

Allegation of RSF connection to Russian Mercenary – Wagner Group

Credible allegations confirmed that the RSF has grown its regional and international ambitions and has since then developed a close relationship with the dangerous Russian Mercenary – Wagner Group. Earlier reports to CNN by Sudanese and regional diplomatic sources confirmed that The Wagner Group has been supplying the RSF with missiles to aid its fight against the country’s army. All these regional, international dimensions of the RSF and the current genocidal attacks with the current imposed isolation and humanitarian catastrophe have promoted us and 40 other Darfur organization to call for Darfur to be place under international trusteeship pursuant to article 77 of the UNSC charter to protect millions  of Darfur population current left to be killed and abused by Rapid Support forces with no government presence

The people of Darfur have suffered over 20 plus years of genocidal attacks. Three million people, who have been displaced over the years, continue to be attacked and displaced. Their attackers have yet to be apprehended or held accountable. They are again under unprecedented systemic attacks with a deliberate policy of extermination of a predetermined segment of the population. The situation in Darfur today is worse than it was in 2003. The traditional methods used by Darfuris as a foundation of survival have been completely removed. While the Janjaweed militias used in 2003 were on horses and camelback, they have now become more sophisticated, with advanced weapons, considerable military and financial support from multiple regional and international actors – making chances for survival for many civilians unattainable. Regional supply of troops from various countries equally makes control or solution at the national level impossible.

 

Please speak up and demand protection of civilians in Darfur a top priority for the US government and UNSC

 

Action to be Taken. Sudan needs an Atrocities Prevention approach

In the face of genocide and the current unspeakable atrocities being committed, solutions must take an atrocity prevention approach that starts with civilians’ protection and distribution of humanitarian aid. This should be followed by accountability for the most serious international crimes which will then create an environment that enables peace and transformation of Sudan.

Therefore, we need your help to add your voices to ours to call on the US government and the members states of the security Council to take the following steps:

• Robust intervention to protect civilians and to stop the genocide unfolding in Darfur.
• Open an unhindered humanitarian’s access in Sudan and Darfur in particular to reach all in need.
• Pursuing accountability for those most responsible of past and current genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Darfur and across the Sudan.
• Impose targeted sanctions against individuals with assets freezing, travel ban and sanctioning all the business associated with the two warring generals in Sudan to cut the funding for devastating weapons.
• Deploy immediate humanitarian intervention to all in need inside Sudan and in the neighboring countries.
• Holding the regional enablers of the genocide in Darfur accountable including regional and international actors supplying fund and weapon to RSF- Janjaweed Militias
• Provide support of the CSOs and women from historically marginalized Sudanese to have voice at all levels of decision making regarding solutions to the current crises.

Under international law when civilians are under attack, facing mass killing and deprivation of humanitarian assistance, the international community including the US and UNSC bear the responsibility to intervene to protect civilians and save lives.

In the face of a devastating crises in Sudan, the rapidly escalating genocidal attack in Darfur we must not let our leaders look the other way.

Other ways to help: Send a letter here to your representative and call his/her office to ask that he/she be the voice for the people of Sudan and demand US leadership steps up to help end genocide and hold perpetrators accountable.

Donate to DWAG here or donate to other organizations providing support to the local level emergency response initiatives in Sudan.

Support our campaign and share it via your social media platforms.

The crises in Sudan and the catastrophe in Darfur are of global magnitude which require global action, but if we can speak in one voice and demand our government to work for an end, we can hold perpetrators accountable.

With our collective effort we can make a difference.

Download the letter here.

 

Dear (Representative (______)/Senator (______),

 

My name is (____), and I am from (state of ____).

I am extremely concerned by the current situation in Darfur, Sudan. I am writing to you in support of this attached letter from the Darfur Women Action Group co-signed by 41 Sudanese civil society organizations demanding that Darfur be placed under International Trusteeship.  I ask you to demand that the US government take swift action to support the implementation of the International Trusteeship. It will save lives, ensure accountability, and provide a path for peace and democratic transformation in Sudan.

As you know, on April 15, 2023 the Sudanese military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by Generals Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, formerly allies, went to war with one another launching brutal and indiscriminate attacks inside Khartoum and other areas. The deadly conflict has spread with no regard for civilian safety as both militias utilize heavy machine guns, artillery fire, and military planes.

When the conflict reached Darfur it escalated to an alarming scope. The attacks became systematic, intentionally and precisely directed toward harming and eliminating the indigenous African population. Eyewitness accounts confirm this conclusion. Through slaughter, deprivation of access to food, water, medical assistance and by restricting transportation of those in need of urgent medical attention, the RSF has begun to carry out a genocide in Darfur. This is why I am joining the call of 41 Sudan and Darfuri civil society organizations to place Darfur under International Trusteeship. International action is required to stop the campaign conducted by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied Arab Militias to uproot the indigenous people from their homeland.  Our call is to save lives and stop the mass extermination and mass exodus of the Darfuri indigenous African civilians which is currently underway.

More than 250,000 people have fled Darfur to Chad alone in the past seven weeks. On June 4th, the city of Kutum was attacked by Rapid Support Forces killing over 50 people and wounding others, burning the entire city, the market, and the entirety of the internally displaced Kassab camp, housing over 100,000 displaced genocide victims who were forced to flee Darfur over the past 20 years. The city of El Geneina has suffered attacks more than five times. The death toll reportedly exceeds 5,000, and more than 8,000 are currently wounded and desperately need medical attention, food, water, and other basic needs to survive. But they are prevented from seeking emergency treatment. El Geneina is facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis as the city has been completely destroyed, along with all government institutions and services, including hospitals and water sources.

In addition to the slaughter, deprivation of access to food, water, medical assistance, the RSF has added new tactics to its genocidal strategy. It has resorted to restricting transportation of those in need of urgent medical attention, blocking access to phone services, Internet, electric and other services. Taken together, the tactics the RSF has used in Darfur to deprive civilians of connection and aid makes survival nearly impossible. The RSF have also forced the remaining population into a massive exodus. Humanitarian aid workers and diplomatic personnel have suffered attacks, as seen in the tragic deaths of World Food Program (WFP) workers in Kabkabiya town. The army has placed civilians at a greater risk of death by cutting power, access to the internet, and phone services in most cities, effectively depriving them of emergency services and other basic needs such as food and shelter. As of now, all communications from West Darfur remain cut off.

These patterns were deliberately used and witnessed in El Geneina, West Darfur’s Kutum City and Tawila City in North Darfur, Kas in South Darfur, Morney City and Wadis Salih area and Manawashy are among cities targeted and isolated from any form of access. Many more cities are expected to see similar violent trends as the RSF forces are moving swiftly through the Darfur region. As they go, they spread recorded video messages announcing their intent to destroy and kill more people.

More than two-thirds of the greater Darfur region is currently in complete anarchy, out of the realm of government involvement. There is no control over its borders. The RSF is rapidly taking control over cities with the stated intent to kill everyone. Today, in a region the size of France, only two cities remain partially controlled by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) while the RSF control the other portion of the cities with attacks and occupation of people’s homes and preventing civilians’ movement within and out of the cities.

We appeal for Trusteeship on the basis that these strategies constitute genocide. They are targeted killings of specific identified groups of people, massive/forced displacement, uprooting the people from their land and source of sustenance, while imposing extremely harsh conditions through intentional starvation, deprivation from medical assistance coupled with harsh, unbearable psychological and physical conditions.

The only state that has not been attacked is El-Daein, stronghold of Rezaigat tribes, mainly groups affiliated with RSF, where the military has now unanimously declared their support of RSF – making Darfur almost fully under RSF.

Over too many years, Darfuri people have continued to suffer destruction and death in slow motion. We believe that a region occupied by two thirds of the Sudanese population cannot be ignored. We, the undersigned, urge the United States, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, and the African Union to take swift multi or bilateral action to place Darfur under an international trusteeship that can be led by a coalition of willing participants to protect Darfur and the entire region from disintegration. This will allow displaced civilians to be protected, return home, rebuild their lives and work with others to peacefully transform Sudan into a stable society.

We urge you to demand the US and the UNSC take an atrocities prevention approach to the crisis in Sudan which starts with robust civilian protection intervention that enables life-saving humanitarian access, and accountability for those responsible for serious international crimes, then peace and transformation will follow.

The people of Sudan are looking up to you in their time of great need and we believe you will not spare any effort that can help save lives and bring sustainable peace.

Taking the following will be necessary to save lives and bring sustainable solution to Sudan:

• Placing Darfur under international trusteeship to end the genocide attack and uprooting to the indigenous Africans population in Darfur and prevent the disintegration of Sudan.
• Enable unhindered humanitarian access to all in need in Darfur and Sudan at large.
• Impose accountability for perpetrators of serious international crimes.
• Impose targeted sanctions on the two warring generals and their allies to cut the war financing, flow of weapons and destruction in Sudan through verified assets freezing and travel ban.

The people of Darfur and Sudan need your voices and we as your constituencies urge you to be their voice. In the face of genocide our leaders and our countries must not look the others

We appreciate your kind consideration.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned:

1.  Darfur Women Action Group
2. Darfur Relief and Documentation Center, Geneva, Switzerland
3. Darfur Diaspora Association, Toronto, Canada
4. Darfur Association of Canada
5. Darfuri Women Voice, Greater Darfur, Sudan
6. Women for Peace and Security Forum, Sudan
7. South Darfur Women Forum, South Darfur, Sudan
8. Massalite Community in the United States of America, Dayton, Ohio
9. Darfur Association of North America, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
10. Darfur People’s Association, NY, NY
11. Darfur Association AZ Inc, Phoenix Arizona, USA
12. Darfur Community Organization, Omaha, Nebraska
13. Darfur Union, The Netherlands, The Hague Netherlands
14. Darfur Bar Association, Khartoum, Sudan
15. Darfur Association of Sweden
16. Fur Solidarity USA, USA
17. Darfur Association of Florida
18. Sudanese’s Community, Jacksonville Florida
19. Darfur Association of Italy, Rome, Italy
20. Darfur union UK, London, UK
21. Darfur Association of Wales, UK
22. Moisiron for Integrated Support Organization, Khartoum, Sudan
23. Women Peace and Development Organization, South Darfur, Sudan
24. Greater Darfur Women Forum, Greater Darfur
25. Women Of Change Organization, El Geneina, West Darfur Fur Association of UK and Ireland
26. Darfur Union, USA
27. Women Organization for Peace and Development, Sudan
28. East Darfur Women Forum, East Darfur State, Sudan
29. Darfur Civil Society Forum
30. United Women Movement, South Darfur, Sudan
31. Women and Child Development Society, North Darfur, Sudan
32. Stichting Wadi, the Hague, The Netherlands
33. The Massalite Association in South Sudan, Juba S Sudan
34. Bargo People Association of South Sudan, Juba  S. Sudan
35. Darfur Network for Human Rights, Kampala, Uganda
36. Darfur Association of France, Paris, France
37. Muzna Charitable Organization, Sudan
38. Rural Extension Education and Development Organization, Sudan
39. Tollan for Peace and Development, Sudan
40. Omdorien Women Association for Development and Child Care
41. Sudanese women development organization

I appreciate the United States’ condemnation of both the recent fighting and the 2021 coup plus the call for the end of this conflict. Additionally, I appreciate the US Treasury imposing sanctions on four designated companies that were contributing to the conflict in Sudan. While these sanctions are an essential first step to ending the conflict, as the sanctions cut off key financial flows to both the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces, the U.S. needs to take more action. To end this war, restore a civilian-led government, and promote peace and stability, I urge you in your roles to demand that the US lead and encourage the UNSC to place Darfur under international trusteeship immediately as the only effective tool now available to save countless lives.

As a member of your constituency, I implore you to be our voice and a voice for the people of Sudan in their time of critical need by urging the US government to take the following measures:

• Urge the UNSC to place Darfur under International Trusteeship.
• Pressurize Sudan to immediately stop the fighting and open unimpeded nationwide access to humanitarian agencies so they can deliver life-saving assistance.
• Press the Sudanese government to restore power, water, internet, and phone access without further delay to preserve lives.
• Urge the US government to impose targeted sanctions, asset freezing, and travel bans on individuals responsible for the current crisis, the coup, and for ordering excessive force against civilians to ensure they face accountability for their actions.
• Call on the US government to prioritize accountability, the protection of human rights, and life with dignity for the people of Sudan as the main pillars of the US policy.

The above steps are necessary and prerequisite to create an enabling environment for a just peace and democratic transformation of Sudan.

For the solution to be effective, US government and other stakeholders working on resolving the crises in Sudan must take an atrocities prevention approach that starts with civilians’ protection, accountability for genocide and other serious crimes, then peace negotiation and finally democratic transformation will follow.

It is imperative that the US stand with the people of Darfur and Sudan in this difficult time and work with allies to bring protection, accountability to be followed by peace and a civilian-led government. This is the only way to prevent genocide and bring about democracy and sustainable peace. As members of your constituency, we look up to you and kindly urge you to be our voice and the voice for those voiceless in Darfur by supporting our call for trusteeship.

Thank you for your serious consideration of this urgent request.

 

Sincerely,

(Name)

 

Darfur Women Action Group (DWAG) is deeply concerned to hear about the conditions displaced Darfuris are facing, including violence and a lack of key resources and services. These brutal acts of violence that innocent civilians have to put up with are a further reminder of the damage the al-Bashir regime has dealt to communal relations and living standards in Sudan.

On October 18 and 19, armed herders forced their cattle onto the farms of displaced people, murdered two, injured a third, and kidnapped a fourth in Kutum, North Darfur. Violence has forced Darfuris to flee across the border to Chad as refugees, yet they have not found safety there either, with at least two dying to gunmen last Sunday. Additionally, Darfuris in the Tina, Karnoi, Kabkabiya, and Saraf Omra camps for displaced people are also in a precarious state due to a lack of education and healthcare caused by the withdrawal of aid organizations, including a spread of malaria predominantly affecting women and children.

We at DWAG ask our supporters to sign our petition for civilian protection in Darfur so all of its people can be safe and Darfuris can return to their lives and homes. Please take fewer than 5 minutes of your time to sign our petition and share it with your friends and family — we are just 9 signatures away from our goal! Together, we can bring peace and justice to the people of Darfur and Sudan.

 

 

 

 

 

Darfur Women Action Group (DWAG) would like to take the time to mark the 12th anniversary of former President Omar Hassan Ahmad Bashir’s indictment by the International Criminal Court (ICC). His monumental indictment was the first time a sitting president was wanted by the ICC and was the first person to be charged with the crime of genocide. 

 

Omar al-Bashir, the former leader of Sudan, has been wanted by the ICC in The Hague for over 12 years on over 5 counts of crimes against humanity: murder, extermination, forcible transfer, torture, and rape; 2 counts of war crimes: intentionally directing attacks towards civilians and pillaging; 3 counts of genocide: by killing, by causing serious bodily harm, and deliberately targeting to bring upon the group’s physical destruction during 2003-2008 in Darfur. Despite him being charged over 12 years ago, his trial still remains at the pre-trial stage due to him still being at-large. 

 

After Bashir was thrown out of power in 2019, he was convicted of corruption and was sentenced to serve in prison for two years in Sudan. Bashir has been on trial since July 2020 regarding the coup that got him into power over 30 years ago. In February 2020, Sudanese authorities agreed that they would hand over Bashir to the Hague-based ICC to face his trial but did not give a proper time frame to when that would happen. 

 

In the meantime, we ask the public to stand in solidarity with Darfur and to urge the international community to put more pressure on Sudan to release custody of Omar al-Bashir and the others who are currently being charged by the ICC for their perpetration of the heinous crimes in Darfur. We also urge the ICC to investigate the crimes that took place past 2003-2008 and also investigate the violence that is still going on in Darfur. DWAG urges you to sign our petition that demands accountability for all the perpetrators of the genocide in Darfur and share it with 10-15 people you know. 

 

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.

 

 

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.