Africa adopts historic resolution on alleged chemical weapons use in 4 Sudanese states

The NGO Forum participating in the 85th Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, convened in the Gambian capital, Banjul, has adopted an unprecedented resolution concerning the alleged use of chemical weapons in Sudan.

The Forum formally approved the measure late in the night, following extensive deliberations and limited attempts by some parties aligned with Sudan’s military regime to obstruct its adoption through calls for further clarification and postponement of the vote.

This resolution paves the way for the issue of the alleged use of chemical weapons in Sudan to be presented at the upcoming 86th Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, on behalf of the Forum, as a collective position of African civil society towards the grave violations occurring in Sudan.

Grounded in the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and relevant international conventions, the resolution expresses deep concern over reports indicating the use of chemical weapons in the states of Khartoum, Al-Jazirah, Sennar, and Darfur.

It further notes that Sudan is a party to the Chemical Weapons Convention and is legally bound to refrain from developing, producing, or using such weapons.

The resolution cites a statement issued by the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on July 10, in which the ministry’s spokesperson reaffirmed Sudan’s commitment to the Chemical Weapons Convention and categorically rejected the use of such weapons, reiterating the country’s adherence to its international obligations.

However, the Forum deemed this statement insufficient, saying it lacked concrete measures to investigate the allegations or to permit independent monitoring mechanisms. The resolution therefore calls for tangible steps to ensure transparency and accountability.

It urges Sudanese authorities to fully cooperate with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, allowing independent technical teams to deploy within the country to conduct thorough, transparent, and timely investigations, in coordination with relevant regional and international mechanisms.

The resolution was hailed as a significant victory for Sudanese and African human rights organizations, marking a qualitative step towards drawing attention to serious violations linked to the armed conflict in Sudan and opening the door for regional and international initiatives to investigate the use of internationally banned weapons.

The decision is expected to positively influence the stance of African states within the Commission and to help reshape regional perceptions of the human rights situation in Sudan, including calls for the establishment of independent investigative mechanisms.

Several participants in the Forum stated that the adoption of this resolution would open avenues for bilateral meetings with African state delegations during the 85th Session to strengthen cooperation on accountability and the fight against impunity.