During negotiations for a new transitional government in April 2023, violence escalated after weeks of tensions between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) over security force reform. Since then, over 11 million people have been displaced, and over 16,000 have been killed.
In a report published in August 2023, ‘Death Came To Our Home’: War Crimes and Civilian Suffering In Sudan, Amnesty International documented extensive war crimes being committed by the SAF and RSF in the conflict. Many ethnic Masalit people who fled to Chad from West Darfur told Amnesty International that their towns had been attacked by RSF and heavily armed Arab militias in ethnically motivated violence.
A new report, New Weapons Fueling the Sudan Conflict: Expanding Existing Arms Embargo Across Sudan to Protect Civilians, documents how recently manufactured foreign weapons have been transferred into and around Sudan, often in flagrant breach of the existing Darfur arms embargo. Amnesty International found that recently manufactured or recently transferred weapons and ammunition from countries including China, Russia, Serbia, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Yemen are being imported in large quantities into Sudan, and then in some cases, diverted into Darfur.
Despite the ongoing violence and immense suffering of civilians, President Biden has remained largely silent on Sudan. Demands for enforcing the 2005 UN Security Council arms embargo on Darfur have not gained traction. Meanwhile, the humanitarian response remains woefully underfunded, and civilians continue to suffer.
Take one or more of these actions below to make your voice heard!
Ask them to pressure the Biden Administration to enforce the existing arms embargo on Darfur and expand it to all of Sudan.
Contact your Member of Congress, especially your Senators, and deliver the following message:
“Hi, I’m calling as a constituent of Senator/ Representative [NAME]. I would like to leave an important message for [him/her.] As a constituent of [his/hers], I am deeply concerned over the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sudan, particularly the war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).
I am calling to ask the Senator/ Representative to do everything in [his/her] power to stop companies in other countries from sending weapons and ammunition to Sudan that are being used in violation of international law in the conflict.
Tonight, you and I will go to sleep in the safety of our homes. In Sudan, the bombardment is non-stop, nowhere is safe, and more blood is being shed. And it’s Sudanese civilians – especially children – who are suffering the most. Thank you for taking my call and delivering my message.”
You can find out who your Representative is here and your Senator here.
Urge President Biden to:
- Enforce the existing United Nations Arms Embargo on Darfur.
- Work to expand the arms embargo to cover all of Sudan
- Pressure U.S. allies not to send weapons to Sudan
- Demand unimpeded humanitarian access to Sudan
CALL (202) 456-1111. The phone line is open Tuesday-Thursday from 11 am-3 pm EST
On April 15, Amnesty USA and partners delivered more than 15,000 signatures to the White House. You can still add your voice to show the Biden administration you are standing in solidarity with Sudan.
While the conflict in Sudan has been ongoing for more than a year, many in the US are unaware of what is happening.
You can help by speaking about Sudan with your friends, family, colleagues and classmates. Tell them what you’ve learned and ask them to take action, too.
#SpeakOutOnSudan
United for Sudan Rally
Amnesty International USA and several advocacy, human rights, and Sudanese advocacy organizations hosted a rally to demand action and show solidarity with the people of Sudan on April 15th, one year into the current conflict.
Learn about Sudan
Learn more about the conflict in Sudan through Amnesty research. Educate your community about what is happening so that more people take action!
Relevant Links
- Sudan: Internet shutdown threatens delivery of humanitarian and emergency services
- Sudan: Give UN Fact-Finding Mission a Chance
- Sudan: Fresh fears for civilians as fighting extends to Wad Madani
- Sudan: Civilians suffering ‘unimaginable horror’ amid ethnically motivated violence in Darfur
- Sudan: War crimes rampant as civilians killed in both deliberate and indiscriminate attacks – new report