Sudan

The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and six additional armed groups are each listed in the annexes of the SG’s latest annual report (S/2024/384) on CAAC for multiple grave violations against children. In 2023, the UN verified 1,721 grave violations against children, a staggering 480 per cent increase from the previous year. Recruitment and use of children significantly increased in 2023, with 209 cases verified. A total of 1,244 children were killed and maimed, primarily through crossfire, shelling, and aerial bombardments, with the RSF and SAF identified as main perpetrators. Sexual violence against children, affecting 114 girls, was predominantly attributed to the RSF, unidentified actors, and affiliated militia groups. Attacks on schools and hospitals remained a concern, with 85 verified incidents attributed to both state and non-state actors. In January 2025, Special Representative of the SG for CAAC (SRSG-CAAC), condemned the recent attacks in Khartoum State and highlighted the deliberate targeting of children and their recruitment into armed groups, noting the heightened risks of sexual violence faced by girls. In resolution 2736 (2024), the Security Council requested the SG to make recommendations on the protection of civilians in the Sudan. In February, the SG is expected to report on UN efforts to support Sudan, pursuant to Resolutions 2715 (2024) and 2736 (2024). The Security Council should:

• Demand that all parties uphold their obligations under IHL and IHRL, taking all necessary precautions to protect civilians and civilian objects, including schools and hospitals, in accordance with the principles of precaution, distinction, and proportionality; and adopt concrete measures to end and prevent grave violations against children;
• Condemn all attacks on humanitarian actors, civilians, especially children, and civilian infrastructure, and call on all parties to avoid the use of explosive weapons in populated areas;
• Call on the listed parties in Sudan to swiftly nominate focal points able to engage with the UN to develop, sign, and implement action plans to end and prevent grave violations against children;
• Reiterate calls for an immediate ceasefire with clearly articulated timeframes, coordination with relevant regional and subregional organizations and humanitarian actors to establish such a ceasefire, as well as to prevent further violations and abuses against civilians, including children;
• Demand that all parties allow and facilitate the safe, timely, and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance and protection services to affected populations, especially children; and respect and protect humanitarian personnel, assets, and infrastructure; and allow civilians safe passage out of conflict zones;
• Explore credible civilian protection options for Sudan, in collaboration with the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development; and request the SG to strengthen the Protection of Civilians mandate of his Personal Envoy, ensuring sufficient resources to fulfill such a mandate;
• Underline the need to strengthen child protection capacities in the Sudan, including to ensure continued implementation of the UN Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism.

THE UNITED KINGDOM IS THE SECURITY COUNCIL PENHOLDER ON SUDAN. 

This information is based on Watchlist’s Children and Armed Conflict Monthly Update – February 2025.

In June, the SG published his eighth report on the situation of CAAC in Sudan (S/2024/443), covering January 2022 to December 2023. During this time, the UN Country Task Force on Monitoring and Reporting (CTFMR) verified 2,168 grave violations against 1,913 children (1,015 boys, 683 girls, 215 sex unknown) – a staggering fourfold increase in grave violations from the previous reporting period. The surge in grave violations is largely attributed to the outbreak of intense conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on April 15, 2023, with 72 percent of the total violations occurring in the last eight months of 2023. The conflict also stalled and/or drastically reversed progress seen on child protection, including commitments made by parties to the Juba Peace Agreement and through implementation of the 2021 roadmap. Recruitment and use, killing and maiming, rape and other forms of sexual violence, attacks on schools and hospitals, and the denial of humanitarian access all rose sharply when compared to the previous report (S/2022/627).  In particular, recruitment and use saw a tenfold increase with 277 children recruited and used. Killing and maiming increased by over 400 percent with 1,525 children and was the most verified grave violation. Notably, in his 2024 annual report on CAAC, the SG newly listed the RSF in the annexes for recruitment and use, killing and maiming, rape and other forms of sexual violence, and attacks on schools and hospitals; the SAF for killing and maiming and attacks on schools and hospitals; and the Third Front-Tamazuj for recruitment and use. The Working Group Should:

• Strongly condemn the staggering increase in grave violations committed against children in Sudan, and demand that all parties immediately end and prevent all violations and abuses against children and uphold their obligations under IHL and IHRL; and urge all those with influence over the parties to use all their leverage to end and prevent further grave violations against children;
• Urge all armed parties to immediately release all children under 18 from their ranks and prevent and end all child recruitment and use; reiterate that children associated with armed forces and groups should be treated primarily as victims and call on Sudanese authorities to continue implementing the 2018 standard operating procedures for the release and handover of children associated with armed groups;
• Express grave concern at the significant increase in the number of children killed and maimed, and call on all parties to take concrete steps to prevent child casualties, respecting the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution;
• Demand that all parties take concrete steps to end rape and other forms of sexual violence against children; immediately cease attacks or threats against schools and hospitals, their personnel, and other civilian objects; and avoid the military use of schools; and express grave concern at the lack of access for children to protection services, education, and healthcare as a result of the armed conflict;
• Demand that all parties allow and facilitate the safe, timely, and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance to affected populations, especially children; and respect and protect humanitarian personnel, assets, and infrastructure; and allow civilians safe passage out of conflict zones.

This information is based on Watchlist’s Children and Armed Conflict Monthly Update – September 2024.

SUDAN/SOUTH SUDAN (ABYEI) 

In May, the SG will report on UNISFA, pursuant to SCR 2660 (2022). From April 3-6, representatives from the Ngok Dinka and Twic Dinka communities, including women and youth, participated in an inter-communal peace conference in which the communities agreed to a cessation of hostilities, unhindered movement along roads, including for humanitarian assistance, and a return of displaced communities. UNICEF had previously noted the impact of escalating inter-communal violence in Abyei on the humanitarian needs of children. The Security Council should:

• Call for the protection, rights, well-being, and empowerment of children to be fully incorporated and prioritized in ongoing and future efforts to build and sustain peace at the community level, drawing on the Practical Guidance for Mediators; and encourage and facilitate consideration of children’s views in these processes where possible and compatible with the child’s best interests;
• Ensure that child protection is appropriately considered and prioritized in ongoing efforts to develop a responsible exit strategy for UNISFA, including monitoring and reporting on grave violations committed against children, building on lessons learned, and consulting with the relevant child protection experts.

The United States is the lead country on Sudan/South Sudan (Abyei).

This information is based on Watchlist’s Children and Armed Conflict Monthly Update – May 2023.

Year listed: 2003
Action Plans signed: SPLM-North – recruitment and use of children (November 2016); JEM – recruitment and use of children (September 2012); SLA/Minnawi – recruitment and use of children (June 2007)
Previous Action Plans: Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) (November 2009) *Signed as an armed group before South Sudan’s independence; Sudan Liberation Army/Free Will (June 2010); Sudan Liberation Army/Abu Gasim (August 2010); Sudan Government security forces, including the Sudanese Armed Forces, the Popular Defense Forces, and the Sudan Police Forces (March 2016) *Delisted in 2018 following compliance with Action Plan. 
Sanctions Committee: The Sudan Sanctions Committee (Current Chair: Estonia) 
Secretary-General’s reports on CAAC in Sudan: 2020; 2017; 2011; 2009; 2007; 2006
Security Council Working Group conclusions on Sudan: 2020; 2017; 2012; 2009; 2008; 2006
UN Mission: UNAMID; UNITAMS