A coalition of Sudanese and international civil society groups issued an urgent call on Wednesday for the international community to prioritize civilian safety amid Sudan’s intensifying conflict.
In their joint statement, the organizations expressed concern that current international efforts are too focused on humanitarian aid logistics rather than on the immediate security needs of Sudanese civilians caught in the conflict.
“Ensuring civilian protection should be central to all intervention efforts in Sudan,” the statement emphasized. “Humanitarian assistance has little impact if civilians are not secured.”
The coalition urged stronger measures to uphold International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and requested concrete actions to safeguard civilians, particularly those trapped in conflict zones, regions controlled by armed factions, and refugee camps in neighboring countries.
The statement also condemned what it termed the “political exploitation” of the crisis and urged major international entities, including the African Union and United Nations, to establish a specific, actionable strategy to enhance civilian protections.
“Prolonged inaction by the international community only worsens suffering,” the coalition warned. “It is crucial for stakeholders to consult on viable solutions to safeguard Sudanese civilians effectively.”
The coalition further noted that calls for ceasefires alone are insufficient and encouraged a more dynamic approach to directly address the dangers faced by civilians.
Signatories include Fikra for Studies and Development, The Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA), the African Organization for Rights and Development, The Sentry, Sudan Transparency and Policy Tracker, Society for Threatened Peoples, Germany, and Genocide Watch.
