UN's Sudan fact-finding mission blasts SAF-aligned government’s ‘weak’ argument for denying access

The UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan has criticized the government aligned with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) for its "weak" arguments against allowing investigators into the country. Mohamed Chande Othman, chairman of the mission, stated that their work is focused on identifying perpetrators and collecting evidence for future accountability.

Despite opposition from some countries that believe fact-finding projects should require the consent of the nation concerned, the mission will continue investigating external actors' involvement in the war, including support, training, and weapons provided to the conflicting parties. The mission has reportedly received reports alleging that the SAF is manufacturing chemical weapons using chlorine, and it will examine these claims.

The SAF and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), against which it is fighting, both have obligations under international humanitarian law, as stated in the Jeddah Declaration in May 2023. The war, which began in April of that year, has caused over ten thousand deaths, displaced millions, and created one of the world's largest humanitarian crises.