ACHPR: Sudan Conflict Accountability Urged Ahead of 89th Session

• The Sudan conflict, ongoing for over three years since April 2023, has displaced 14 million people and left 33.7 million in need of humanitarian aid.
• The UN Human Rights Council adopted Resolution L.26, extending the mandate of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) on Sudan to collect evidence for accountability.
• The FFM has documented external actors fueling the conflict with mercenaries, weapons, and logistical support, highlighting the need for broader accountability.
• The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) will convene its 89th session in October 2026, with expectations to strengthen cooperation with the UN FFM based on the May 2026 Banjul Joint Declaration.
• Human rights defenders in Sudan face severe targeting, including arbitrary detention and torture, with 339 violations documented between January and October 2026.

This alarming situation underscores the critical need for robust ACHPR Sudan conflict accountability measures to protect those who risk their lives to document the truth.

The conflict in Sudan, which erupted on April 15, 2023, has now endured for over three years, characterized by widespread atrocities, forced displacement, and immense civilian suffering. This protracted crisis has resulted in more than 14 million people being displaced from their homes, while a staggering 33.7 million individuals—representing two-thirds of the nation's population—are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. These figures highlight the severe fragmentation and devastation afflicting the country.

In a significant move to address this escalating situation, the United Nations Human Rights Council recently adopted Resolution L.26, with four African nations casting votes in its favor. This resolution is crucial as it extends the mandate of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) on Sudan, empowering it to continue its vital work of investigating, collecting, and preserving evidence. The FFM's findings are essential for establishing accountability for perpetrators. Furthermore, the FFM's latest report has shed light on the role of external actors, including various states, transnational networks, and private intermediaries, in exacerbating the violence. These entities have been documented supplying mercenaries, weapons, ammunition, military technology, logistical support, and drones, thereby fueling the conflict. Consequently, the scope of accountability must extend beyond those directly committing attacks to encompass all those enabling the war from outside Sudan.

As the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) prepares for its 89th ordinary session, scheduled from October 12-21, 2026, there is an urgent call for the body to move beyond mere expressions of concern and take decisive action regarding the Sudan conflict. The ACHPR is expected to play a pivotal role in sustaining pressure for justice. Resolution L.26 is instrumental in maintaining Sudan's prominence on the international agenda, particularly as global attention risks being diverted by other crises.

Crucially, this resolution also fortifies the collaboration between the UN-mandated FFM and the African Union-ACHPR mechanism, which also operates as a "Fact-Finding Mission." This enhanced cooperation builds upon the foundation laid by the Banjul Joint Declaration, adopted in May 2026. The expectation is that this collaboration will translate into concrete actions, including coordinated investigations, robust political backing, and sustained pressure on all parties involved in the conflict. The ACHPR bears a significant responsibility to lead these regional efforts, uphold the principles enshrined in the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, and directly confront the actors contributing to the conflict's perpetuation. A clear message must be conveyed: African Union member states are obligated to adhere to the African Charter and comply with both regional and international law. Similarly, the Sudanese authorities and all factions engaged in the conflict must respect international humanitarian law Sudan and human rights law, ensuring the protection of civilians, humanitarian workers, journalists, and human rights defenders.

In a context where factual documentation is paramount, those dedicated to uncovering the truth in Sudan are facing severe targeting. Human rights defenders (HRDs) operating within Sudan remain indispensable sources of evidence for both UN and African accountability mechanisms. Their courageous efforts are critical for preserving testimonies, exposing abuses, and ensuring the visibility of civilian suffering. It is precisely because of this vital work that they have become targets.

A forthcoming report from the Sudan Human Rights Defenders Coalition (SudanDefenders) details a disturbing pattern of violations against HRDs, journalists, lawyers, humanitarian workers, and Emergency Response Room volunteers. Between January and October 2026, the report documents 152 victims, 79 distinct incidents, and a total of 339 violations. These abuses encompass hate speech, arbitrary detention, judicial harassment, direct threats, torture, and enforced disappearance. Such targeting is a grave concern for anyone committed to justice, as the silencing of defenders inevitably leads to a shrinking civic space, a weakening of humanitarian response capabilities, and the entrenchment of impunity. This alarming situation underscores the critical need for robust ACHPR Sudan conflict accountability measures to protect those who risk their lives to document the truth.

Lawyers and compliance officers advising entities with operations or interests connected to Sudan, including those potentially involved as 'external actors' fueling the conflict, must monitor the coordinated evidence collection and accountability efforts by the ACHPR and UN FFM. This increased scrutiny and cooperation could lead to future sanctions, legal proceedings, or heightened due diligence requirements related to the conflict.

Source: Insights from expert commentary.