Echoes of Conflict: A Human Rights Report on the Al A’laga Airstrike in White Nile State

Unveiling the Human Cost of Sudan’s Ongoing Strife and the Urgent Need for Peace and Humanitarian Intervention

Introduction

The ongoing conflict in Sudan, which erupted in April 2023, has led to a severe humanitarian crisis and numerous human rights violations across the country. The situation in White Nile State has been particularly dire, with escalating violence and frequent clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Al A’laga, a city in White Nile State, recently witnessed a devastating airstrike on May 29, 2024, resulting in significant civilian casualties and substantial damage to infrastructure. This report aims to highlight the human rights violations stemming from this incident and to call for immediate and effective action to mitigate the suffering of the affected populations.

Human Rights Violations

The airstrike in Al A’laga on May 29, 2024, which led to numerous civilian deaths and extensive infrastructural damage, constitutes several grave human rights violations:

1. Right to Life: The attack has resulted in the loss of civilian lives, a direct violation of the fundamental right to life as enshrined in international human rights law.
2. Failure to Distinguish Between Combatants and Non-Combatants: Despite SAF’s warning to civilians to avoid RSF locations, the reality of RSF forces embedding within civilian areas due to their bases being targeted complicates the situation. The attack must still adhere to the principle of distinction under international humanitarian law, which mandates distinguishing between military targets and civilians.
3. Proportionality: The principle of proportionality, which is essential in armed conflict, requires that the harm caused to civilians must not be excessive concerning the anticipated military advantage. The airstrike in Al A’laga, with its substantial civilian casualties, raises serious concerns regarding compliance with this principle.
4. Precautionary Measures: International humanitarian law obliges parties to a conflict to take all feasible precautions to minimize civilian harm. The presence of civilians in the vicinity of RSF positions necessitates stringent measures to avoid or minimize civilian casualties. The SAF’s actions in this context suggest a potential failure to adhere to these precautionary principles adequately.

Call to Action

In light of these violations, the Sudan International Human Rights Organization (SIHRO) urgently calls for:

1. Immediate Cessation of Hostilities: Both the SAF and the RSF must cease all hostilities and engage in peace talks to prevent further loss of civilian lives and destruction of infrastructure.
2. International Community Engagement: The international community must facilitate and mediate peace talks between the conflicting parties. Additionally, there is an urgent need for funding and humanitarian aid to address the dire humanitarian crisis in Sudan.
3. Accountability and Justice: All parties responsible for international humanitarian and human rights law violations must be held accountable. Investigations should be conducted to ensure justice for the victims of these egregious acts.

Conclusion

The airstrike in Al A’laga on May 29, 2024, is a tragic reminder of the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict in Sudan on innocent civilians. SIHRO remains steadfast in its commitment to advocating for human rights and the rule of law. We reiterate our call for immediate peace talks, the involvement of the international community in facilitating these discussions, and the provision of humanitarian aid to alleviate the suffering of those affected. SIHRO stands with the people of Sudan in their pursuit of peace, justice, and respect for human rights.