SUDAN WAR 2023

More than 1.6 million people have been displaced since the fighting began in Mid-
April.
 INTRODUCTI
ONNortheast Africa
Location:
Bordering countries: Central African Republic, Chad,
Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Libya, South Sudan.
Official name: Republic of Sudan
Capital: Khartoum
Area: 1849234 sq.km
Population: 47.9 million
Religion: Muslim (91%), Christian (5.4%), Folk
religions (2.8%) and others

Sudan is located at a critical nexus as it is home to more than 60% of the Nile river basin.
Sudan also has a strategic location on the Red Sea, a body of water that approximately 10% of global trade passes
through.
Sudan has immense mineral resources such as gold and oil reserves.
 BACKGROU
ND • The Republic of Sudan was established as an independent sovereign
state over which sovereignty had been vested jointly in Egypt and
United Kingdom.
1 Jan 1956 •
Result of 1st Sudanese civil war.

• 2nd Sudanese civil war between South and North Sudan reasons being
differences in religious practices, ethnicity, economics and politics.
• An estimated 2 million people lost their lives and millions were
displaced.
1980s • Lasted for around 3 decades.

• Comprehensive peace agreement was signed between the Sudan

government and SPLM/A which had provisions of power sharing,
wealth sharing, security and governance.
2005 • Mediators to this peace agreement were United States, UN and
African Union.
•In 2011, Both nations Sudan and South Sudan got
separated into two different nations and South Sudan
gained its independence as 55th African Country.
Omar Al Basir

• President of Sudan from 1989-2019.

• Previously, he was a Brigadier General in
Sudanese Army.
• Him along with the group of army officers
overthrew the democratically elected
government of prime minister Sadiq -Al-
Mahdi in 1989.
• He wanted to rule Sudan without any
external civil government.
• No position of prime minister in Sudan after
1989.
• Civil war between Sudan and south Sudan
happened in his tenure.
 Gen. Abdel Fattah Al Burhan Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo

Both of them worked

closely in Yemen in 2015.

 Leader of Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF)
and President of Sudan (2019-present)
 De facto ruler of Sudan.
 Leader of Rapid support Forces (RSF) and
Vice President of Sudan
 RSF is a Paramilitary force in Sudan
formally recognized by then President
Omar Al Basir in 2013.
Basir made Burhan Became Inspector Head of paramilitary
Inspector General of General of Sudanese force RSF
Sudanese Army. Army in 2019. Better known as
Never fully trusted Both Generals Hemedti.
Burhan. Burhan and Dagalo Supported General
Started relying on worked together and Burhan in
Dagalo and RSF as a overthrew Basir in overthrowing
counterweight to the April 2019. President Basir.
regular armed Burhan became the Dagalo became the
forces. President of Sudan. Vice-president of
Sudan.
RSF and regular military force under
Burhan co-operated to oust Basir in
2019 and imprisoned him in
Khartoum.
 • Formation of Transitional Military Council (TMC); i.e. military
junta governing Sudan.
• Formed after 2019 Sudanese coup d'état and was formally
11 April, 2019 headed by Burhan.

• Dissolution of TMC and establishment of Transitional

Sovereignty Council (TSC).
• TSC headed by Chairman Gen. Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan and
20 August, 2019 vice chairman RSF leader Gen. Mohamed Hamdan
Dagalo.
 WHY Transitional Sovereignty Council (TSC)?

Interim Joint Civilian- Military Unity Government to

steer country towards election.

Formed as a part of agreement between the military

and the opposition force Forces for Freedom and
Change (FFC) who no more wanted to see Omar Al Basir
as President.

To make political scenario in Sudan look democratic.

 • President Burhan invited to US.
• Meeting with Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu.
December • Close relation with Egypt, Gulf countries like UAE due to Sudan’s dependence
2019- on exports from gulf countries.
2020
• TSC to be led by a military figure for 21 months and a civilian leader for 18
months; transition process of three years and three months.
2021 Coup • As a head of TSC, Burhan became the de facto head of the state.
• In 2021, Burhan and Hemedti led a coup against all civilian political
d'état
groups.

• Arrest of five senior Sudanese government figures by Sudan’s military.

• Members of RSF stationed on the streets of Khartoum during the time of the
coup.
25 • Announcement of dissolution of the government and the sovereignty
October, council.
• Military forces placed civilian PM Abdallah Hamdok under house arrest.
2021 • Burhan said his actions were justified to avoid a civil war in Sudan.
• After 2021 coup, both Burhan and Dagalo ruled Sudan.
 WHY ARE THEY FIGHTING NOW?

President Burhan Vice- president Dagalo

 REASONS FOR
WAR
President Burhan
• Wants integration of RSF into Sudanese
military.
• Re appointment of politicians/individuals
previously associated with Bashir including
Islamist to former position by Burhan.
Vice- president Dagalo
• Dagalo positioned himself as a national figure,
real politician, representative of marginalized
section.
• Formed alliances with rebel groups in Darfur
region and South Kordovon.
• Vast business of Dagalo including interest in
gold mines, investments, mining and
transportation.
 OTHER ISSUES

Process of change to democratic system

suspended since October 2021.

Status of RSF: Whether RSF forces should be

under command of the army chief rather than
Sudan’s commander-in-chief, al Burhan.

Clash over authority over sectors of Sudan’s

economy controlled by two respective factions.
 PRESENT SCENARIO

• RSF deployed near Khartoum and Merowe.

Government forces ordered to leave but they
refused.
• RSF forces mobilization.
• Clashes between two groups at Presidential
11-30 April, 2023 Palace and residence of Burhan.
• Fighting with heavy weaponry and
airstrikes.
• Explosions reported, escape from prisons.
• Capture of military facilities.
• Fighting continued despite 72 hour ceasefire
started on 27 April.
 • Both sides agree to allow urgently needed
humanitarian aid to reach war-struck areas,
committing “to ensuring the protection of
civilians”
May, 2023 but, again, the fighting never stops.
• A new one-week ceasefire comes into force on May
22 but is also repeatedly breached.
• On May 31, the army says it has suspended its
participation in the ceasefire talks, accusing the RSF
of failing to respect its truce commitments.
 • On June 2, artillery fire was reported around
Sudan TV offices in Omdurman as the SAF
announced it had brought reinforcements to
Khartoum.
• Artillery fire and Airstrikes reported in southern
and eastern Khartoum and northern Bahri.
• 40 people were reported to have been killed in
two days of fighting in Khartoum, North Darfur
on June 4.
June, 2023 • 24 hours ceasefire announced my mediators (US
and Saudi Arabia) on June 9.
• End of ceasefire on June 11 and fighting resumed.
• On Sunday morning, air raids, artillery shelling and
. machine guns could be heard in several parts of the
country.
.
HUMANITARIAN
IMPACT

 Residents unable to venture outside to

obtain food supplies, medicines and
fuels have become” extremely acute”
 26 attacks on healthcare facilities as
per WHO due to which hospitals
remained understaffed and running
low on medicinal supplies.
 More than $13 million worth of food
aid destined for Sudan has been
looted.
 Violence during a period of high
temperature, drought and latter part • 1,000,000 Internally Displaced Persons; out of which 70%
of the fasting month of Ramadan. came from Darfur region.
• 250,000 fled the country altogether.
• Egypt received highest number of refugees i.e. 110,000.
 FOREIGN INVOLVEMENT
Has been involved in
Sudan for many years,
primarily focusing on
humanitarian aid and
diplomacy.
Has been engaged in
supporting the
transition to civilian rule
following the ousting of
President Basir in 2019.
Supplied weapons and Expressed concern over
military equipment to the potential impact of
Sudan in the past. the conflict on it’s own
Signed an agreement security, particularly
with Sudan to establish with regards to the flow
a naval base on the Red of Nile river.
Sea Coast near Port Backer of Sudanese
Sudan. Armed Force (SAF).
Russian mercenary Engaged in diplomatic
organization “Wagner” efforts in maintaining
has been accused of stability in the region.
plundering Sudan’s gold
Interest in controlling The UAE and Saudi Israel’s security and
ports in the Red Sea. Arabia have for the past intelligence co-
Pledged an aid package years sought to bolster operation with the
of 3$ billion following their influence in the Sudanese government.
the overthrow of Al- Red Sea region in Africa. Recently increase in
Basir with UAE. Initially supported the economic co-operation
Close to RSF and former president Omar and intelligence sharing
Hemedti has sought to Al-Basir. between two nations.
cultivate close ties with Interest in Sudan
this country and its relating to investments,
neighboring country food security and other
UAE. domains.
 PEACE EFFORTS

• Representatives from SAF and RSF agreed UN

April,16,2023 proposal to pause fighting and open a safe passage for
urgent humanitarian cases for three hours every day.

• The governments of Kenya, South Sudan,

April 17, 2023 and Djibouti expressed their willingness to send their
presidents as mediators to Sudan.

• Dagalo agreed to allow the safe passage of civilians

April 18, 2023 and wounded.
 • Both parties agreed to another 24-hour and 72-hour
April 19-21, 2023 ceasefire respectively.

• The Intergovernmental Authority on

Development (IGAD) proposed a 72-hour extension
April 26, 2023 of the ceasefire, while South Sudan offered to host
mediation efforts.

• SAF and RSF agreed to send representatives for

May1, 2023 negotiations mediated by the UN, date or venue not
given for the talks.
 • Delegates from the SAF and the RSF met directly
May 6, 2023 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for "pre-negotiation talks”
described by Saudis and the United States.

• Signed an agreement to allow safe passage for people

May 12, 2023 leaving battle zones, protect relief workers and not to
use civilians as human shields.

• Agreed to a week-long ceasefire and later extended

May 20, 2023 until 3 June.
 • The United States imposed its first sanctions related
June 1, 2023 to the conflict.

• African Union steps in and prepares for negotiating

June 7, 2023 solutions for the conflict in Sudan. Mediators
announced 24-hour Sudan ceasefire from early
Saturday.

• Mediators announced 24-hour Sudan ceasefire from

June 9, 2023 early Saturday. Fight began after the end of 24 hours
ceasefire.
QUERIES RELEVANT TO INTERNATIONAL LAW OF WAR

1. How does international law categorize the fighting in Sudan?

Non-international armed conflict as Sudan meets the criteria after serious armed clashes broke
out between the SAF and the RSF in Khartoum and other areas.

2. Who is bound by international humanitarian law?

All parties to an armed conflict; both states and non-states armed groups.
 3. What law applies to the fighting in Sudan?

• Common Article 3 - Forth Geneva Convention, 1949- Minimum standards for the proper
treatment of civilians ,wounded and captured combatants.
• Protocol II to the Geneva Convention on non-international armed conflicts.
• customary Laws of War, concerning the methods and means of warfare.
• 1997 Mine Ban Treaty
• Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court
4. Does international human rights law still apply in Sudan?

Yes, applicable at all times during the situation of armed conflicts.

Sudan is a party to a number of human rights treaties such as ICCPR, CAT.

5. What are the obligations of warring parties regarding fighting in

populated areas?
• Obligations on warring parties to take steps to minimize harm to civilians.
• Obligations on both parties to be responsible for having located legitimate military targets
within or near populated area.
 6. Can war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Sudan be
tried before the International Criminal Court?

• The International Criminal Court- investigate, charge, and try persons suspected of war
crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.
• Can exercise jurisdiction over these crimes if:
i. The crimes occurred in the territory of a state that is a party to the ICC treaty;
ii. The person accused of the crimes is a citizen of a state that is a party to the ICC treaty;
iii. A state that is not a party to the ICC treaty accepts the court’s authority for the crimes in
question by submitting a formal declaration to the court; or
iv. The United Nations Security Council refers the situation to the ICC prosecutor.
 7. Can judicial authorities in other countries investigate and prosecute
international crimes committed in Sudan?

• Certain categories of grave crimes in violation of international law, such as war crimes and
torture, are subject to “universal jurisdiction”.
• Customary International Law agreed that states are allowed to try those responsible for other
crimes, such as genocide or crimes against humanity, wherever these crimes took place.

8. What are the legal protections for hospitals, medical personnel and ambulance?
• Hospitals lose their protection from attack only if they are being used, outside their humanitarian functions, to
commit “acts harmful to the enemy”.
• Doctors, nurses, other medical personnel and ambulances must be protected in all circumstances and lose
their protection if are being used to commit “acts harmful to the enemy”.