Armed Forces Act

The Armed Forces Act establishes a military criminal justice system and defines the legal status of armed forces members and affiliated personnel. It allows Sudanese military courts to exercise universal jurisdiction over crimes when the accused is present in Sudan, and it grants military courts jurisdiction over crimes committed by service members during their duties.

The law prohibits recruitment of children in Article 14(1)(c), which states, “There shall be required of whoever joins service of the Armed Forces that he shall… not be less than eighteen years of age, upon recruitment, or appointment.”

The law also addresses prohibits:

• genocide and crimes against humanity (Article 153)
• inhumane treatment (including killing or causing injury to) people from certain protected groups, including civilians, medical and religious personnel, and prisoners of war (Article 154)
• direct attacks against civilian targets (Article 155)
• attacks against humanitarian actors (Article 156)