By: Ammar Najm al-Din
The Sudanese Armed Forces’ continued violations of humanitarian agreements represent a deliberate and systematic pattern of dishonoring commitments. The most recent incident occurred in Kadugli on December 29, 2024, when military forces dropped weapons supplies near the city in clear contravention of agreements stipulating that humanitarian aid deliveries must be conducted via the Kadugli airport or the designated “Jald” drop zone.
This blatant breach underscores the Sudanese military’s persistent misuse of humanitarian ceasefires to further its military objectives, disregarding the dire humanitarian conditions and the suffering of civilians.
Reservations of the SPLM-North: A Prescient Warning Against Betrayal
During the humanitarian negotiations in May 2024, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) raised legitimate concerns about collaborating with the Sudanese military on aid delivery. These concerns were grounded in the military’s history of exploiting ceasefires to advance its military strategies rather than facilitating humanitarian relief.
Despite the SPLM-N’s commitment to ensuring aid reached affected populations, its reservations proved justified. The Kadugli incident confirmed these fears, with humanitarian relief efforts transformed into a pretext for covert military operations, violating the spirit and letter of the agreements.
Humanitarian Exploitation: A Violation of International Law
The events in Kadugli highlight the Sudanese military’s misuse of humanitarian ceasefires to smuggle arms and consolidate military gains, rather than alleviating civilian suffering. Such actions constitute clear violations of the Geneva Conventions of 1949, which require parties to armed conflicts to respect humanitarian principles and prohibit the misuse of aid operations or targeting of humanitarian workers.
This pattern of abuse extends beyond Kadugli. On December 19, 2024, an airstrike targeted Yabus in the Blue Nile region, striking a World Food Programme facility. This deliberate attack killed three humanitarian workers and destroyed vital infrastructure providing food and medical aid to women and children. Such acts are in direct violation of Protocol I of the Geneva Conventions of 1977, which prohibits attacks on civilian and humanitarian infrastructure.
Kadugli and Yabus: Symbols of Military Betrayal
Kadugli, which has endured the brunt of conflict in South Kordofan, now serves as a symbol of systemic military exploitation of humanitarian agreements. Instead of being a hub for aid distribution, it has been reduced to a staging ground for military operations.
Similarly, Yabus, a region that remained peaceful and free of military activity since 2017, became a target of deliberate aerial bombardment. This attack not only disrupted the lives of civilians but also demonstrated a calculated effort by the Sudanese military to provoke the SPLM-N into open conflict, thereby expanding the scope of hostilities.
A Call to the International Community
These repeated violations by the Sudanese Armed Forces demand urgent international action. The international community, including the United Nations and the African Union, must press the Sudanese government to adhere to its humanitarian commitments and ensure that aid reaches civilians without exploitation or interference.
Under Article 18 of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, the use of humanitarian aid for military purposes is strictly prohibited. Failure to hold perpetrators accountable risks undermining international humanitarian law and perpetuating impunity for crimes against civilians.
Conclusion
The recurring violations in Kadugli, Yabus, and other areas reflect a broader pattern of the Sudanese military’s exploitation of humanitarian agreements for military gains. This behavior directly contravenes international humanitarian law and exacerbates the already dire situation for civilians in conflict-affected regions.
The SPLM-North remains steadfast in its cautious stance, prioritizing the protection of civilians while navigating an increasingly complex and hostile environment. However, sustained military provocations and systematic violations pose significant challenges to this approach.
The international community must act decisively to safeguard civilians in Sudan by ensuring strict adherence to international humanitarian law and holding violators accountable. Such measures are critical to upholding the basic protections for victims of armed conflict and fostering a pathway toward genuine peace.