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Since the outbreak of war in Sudan in April 2023, violations against civilians have escalated. What is causing growing concern among human rights advocates and media observers is the direct role played by the Sudanese army in systematic practices that violate international humanitarian law — including reports suggesting the use of banned chemical weapons in conflict zones.

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A Methodical Targeting Strategy: Civilians in the Crossfire

Instead of upholding its duty to protect during wartime, multiple field reports accuse units of the Sudanese army of indiscriminate shelling of residential areas and deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and markets.

In areas such as southern Khartoum and the Al-Jazirah State, survivors have described daylight airstrikes and artillery bombardments that made no distinction between military and civilian targets — resulting in dozens of civilian deaths, including women and children.

While the army promotes a narrative of “restoring legitimacy,” it now faces serious accusations of committing war crimes that defy military justification.

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The Chemical Threat: A Crime That Does Not Expire

The most alarming reports involve the suspected use of chemical substances against densely populated areas. Medical professionals and first responders have described unusual symptoms among victims: severe respiratory distress, chemical burns, and tissue damage — along with strange odors in the aftermath of attacks.

Although the blockade on some areas limits full verification, the available evidence warrants an immediate and transparent international investigation.

The use of chemical weapons is not only a violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, to which Sudan is a signatory, but also constitutes a crime against humanity — subject to prosecution by international courts.

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State Responsibility: When the Protector Becomes a Threat

Under international law, regular armies bear the primary responsibility for protecting civilians in conflict zones. But the conduct of the Sudanese army today reflects a dangerous shift — from “defending the state” to “imposing control at all costs,” even at the expense of innocent lives and the rule of law.

A deeply rooted culture of impunity within the military institution enables these violations to persist without fear of accountability.

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Why the International Silence?

Despite the gravity of these crimes, Sudanese society is facing near-total neglect from international powers, who appear more concerned with regional power balances than with civilian bloodshed.

The lack of clear condemnation from the United Nations or the African Union has emboldened the army and weakened international deterrence mechanisms.

In this deteriorating context, an urgent, independent human rights intervention is essential — not only to investigate the crimes, but also to document them in preparation for future criminal proceedings.

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No Stability Without Justice

What is happening in Sudan is a real test of the concepts of sovereignty and legitimacy. An army that violates the rights of its people cannot be the protector of the state, nor a guarantor of peace.

The world’s silence on chemical crimes, civilian killings, and societal destruction amounts to tacit approval.

Thus, the first step toward any real solution must be the prosecution of perpetrators, no matter their rank. There can be no peace without justice, and no functioning state without accountability.

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