Urgent call for Australian government to take action in support of human rights in Sudan

We, the undersigned, are deeply concerned about the growing crisis in Sudan as a result of the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). We offer our solidarity with the Sudanese Australian community and express our horror at the violence and destruction taking place in Sudan and the escalation of the war with the recent shocking attack on the major hub city of Medani.

Fighting between the SAF and RSF broke out in the capital, Khartoum, on April 15, 2023, and spread to many parts of the country including Darfur in Sudan’s west. The two armed groups had previously colluded in a coup to thwart the transition to democracy following the 2019 popular uprising that deposed former dictator Omar al Bashir.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that more than seven million people have been displaced, more than in any other country in the world. The situation became more dire on December 15 when the RSF attacked Medani, the capital of Gezira state, and surrounding villages spanning hundreds of kilometres. Medani had been a major site of refuge for people displaced from Khartoum and Darfur, and was the site of the only remaining major hospitals following the destruction of the capital.

The RSF, which grew out of the Janjaweed militia responsible for carrying out ethnic cleansing during the war in Darfur, continue to target town after town, attacking innocent civilians, looting houses, shops and hospitals, and leaving a trail of senseless destruction. There have been many reports of shootings, beatings, and  rapes. There are now few safe places to flee to in Sudan.

In addition to the lack of security and continued threats of violence, those who remain in Sudan face dire shortages of food, electricity, water, sanitation and medicines. Preventable diseases such as cholera are increasing rapidly and it is becoming impossible for people to access life saving medical care such as dialysis and cancer treatment. UNICEF estimates that lifesaving humanitarian support is urgently required for more than 14 million children across Sudan.

Global action is needed to end the conflict and ensure safety and access to humanitarian aid for the millions of Sudanese people who are suffering immeasurably due to the crimes of the SAF and RSF. In addition, Australia, along with other wealthy countries must immediately offer assistance to facilitate the safe passage of Sudanese refugees for resettlement.

We call on the Australian government to:

1. Demand an end to the war in the Sudan and demand the immediate cessation of military and financial support by other governments to the RSF and SAF.
2. Act quickly to support Sudanese Australians to bring family members to safety in Australia. On December 28, the Canadian government announced its establishment of a special humanitarian pathway for Sudanese family members to reunite and settle with their relatives in Canada.
3. Launch a broader program to provide asylum and resettlement for Sudanese refugees in Australia. The enormity of the displacement crisis and the strain of the increasing influx of refugees into under-resourced countries neighbouring Sudan, means there is an urgent need for Australia to lead the way in offering resettlement to Sudanese refugees.