The United Nations Human Rights Council voted on Monday 5th October to extend the mandate of its Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan for an additional year, urging warring parties and regional states to cooperate fully with investigators.

The Fact-Finding Mission is chaired by Justice Mohamed Chande Othman from Tanzania. Justice Othman is a board member of Patrol-Africa. Under the extended mandate, the independent panel will present an oral update and a comprehensive report on human rights violations and accountability measures to both the Council and the UN General Assembly.

The United Nations Human Rights Council’s decision to renew the mandate of its independent fact-finding mission underscores growing international anxiety over Sudan’s devastating conflict and its severe humanitarian impact.

Established to investigate escalating reports of atrocities including; war crimes, crimes against humanity, ethnic targeting, and widespread sexual violence, the panel’s mandate extension reflects a firm commitment by international community to track and document systemic IHL/IHR violations despite ongoing conflict.

By explicitly calling on both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces—along with neighbouring regional stakeholders—to support the probe, the Council aims to compile an evidentiary record that can eventually support both national, regional and international justice mechanisms and ensure accountability for victims. 

The Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan is part of broader UN, African Union, Arab League, and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) efforts in support of the Sudanese people to resolve the ongoing conflict.

Patrol-Africa wishes Justice Othman, his Co-Experts and team all the best in this important work.