Resolution on the Use of Chemical Weapons in Sudan
Guided by the purposes and principles of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and other regional and international human rights instruments to which Sudan is a state party, notably the Universal Bill of Human Rights, and that Sudan is legally bound to fully and effectively implement the provisions of these instruments, and respect and promote the human and peoples’ rights set therein without discrimination;
Fully aware that Sudan is a state party to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction, and as such, Sudan is under binding obligations to refrain from developing, producing, possessing, transferring or using chemical weapons;
Gravely concerned at the reports that chemical weapons are being used in Sudan, and in this respect, we take note of the submission of the governments of Chad, Benin and Mauritania, supported by Guinea-Bissau in June and July 2025 to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) requesting clarifications from Sudan regarding these accusations;
Taking note of Press Release No. 25/74 issued by the Official Spokesperson of Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 10th July 2025, which expressed the military authorities’ firm stance on the Chemical Weapons Convention and that Sudan categorically and fundamentally rejects the use of chemical weapons and remains steadfast in its commitment to its international obligations in this regard;
We, the participants at the Forum on the Participation of NGOs in the 87th Ordinary Session of the African Commission held in Banjul from 7th to 9th May 2026, call upon the African Commission to adopt a resolution on the situation of human and peoples’ rights in the Sudan, in which it shall:
1. Welcome Sudan’s commitment to address the accusations about the use of chemical weapons with seriousness and transparency, giving them the attention consistent with its legal and ethical responsibilities as stated in their Press Release No 25/74 of 10th July 2025.
2. Take note of the measures taken by Sudan to address these accusations, notably the formation of a national committee in July 2025 to investigate the accusations and that the Committee should publish its findings without delay.
3. Support the efforts of Chad, Benin and Mauritania and Guinea-Bissau and demand that Sudan provides adequate response to their request for clarification.
4. Demand that Sudan cooperates fully with all state parties to the Chemical Weapon Convention as well as regional and international fact-finding mechanisms, and in this respect allows the OPCW to deploy technical teams in the country and ensure that any investigation is conducted in a thorough, transparent, independent and timely manner.
Done in Banjul, on 9th May 2026
