The decision follows an urgent appeal from over 120 international and Sudanese civil society organizations, including REDRESS, highlighting the "total disregard for international humanitarian law" shown by both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since hostilities began on April 15, 2023.

Breaking the Cycle of Impunity

Recent investigations, including the REDRESS report "Ruining a Country, Devastating its People," have uncovered a mounting body of evidence pointing to war crimes, crimes against humanity, and potential genocide in Darfur perpetrated by the RSF and allied militias. Experts believe the current violence is fueled by a "historic culture of impunity" for international crimes within Sudan.

The newly established mission, composed of three experts in international law, is mandated to:

Investigate and Verify: Uncover the root causes and circumstances of all alleged violations committed by warring parties.

Preserve Evidence: Collect and analyze documentation in accordance with international best practices to support future legal proceedings.

Identify Perpetrators: Name those responsible to ensure individual criminal responsibility and secure justice for victims.

A Critical Turning Point

Caitlan Lloyd, Legal Officer on Sudan at REDRESS, emphasized the urgency of the mission: "The establishment of an international mechanism will at last begin to address the pervasive culture of impunity that has long empowered Sudan’s military and security actors. We hope it will act fast, or significant evidence may be lost."