The African Commission on Human Rights and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) and the United Nations Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan have jointly issued the “Banjul Joint Declaration.” Released during the 87th Ordinary Session held in Banjul, Gambia, on May 12, 2026, this declaration represents the most significant effort to establish accountability since the war broke out between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in 2023.
The primary focus of the declaration is the call for the establishment of an African-led accountability mechanism to operate with the support of the International Criminal Court (ICC). This proposed judicial body would be responsible for investigating and adjudicating the “gross violations” and “atrocity crimes” that have placed Sudan among the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
This joint declaration comes at a time when ethnic cleansing, conflict-related sexual violence, and the destruction of civilian infrastructure in Sudan have significantly escalated. By coordinating their mandates, the African Union’s premier human rights body and the UN mission aim to end the historical culture of “impunity” seen among Sudanese military and paramilitary leaders. The missions stated that “neither impunity nor military force can secure Sudan’s future,” emphasizing that “only a path centered on the protection of civilians, justice, and inclusive civilian-led governance can lay the foundation for lasting peace.”
The declaration confirms that both the Sudanese army, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces, led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), are responsible for international human rights violations.
However, it pointed out that the violations committed by the RSF, particularly in the Darfur and Kordofan regions, are “widespread and systematic.” While the missions expressed support for the ongoing International Criminal Court (ICC) investigations in Sudan, the Banjul Declaration emphasizes the necessity of a regional judicial body. It is believed that this “African-led” system would work in coordination with international institutions, remain accessible to Sudanese victims, and provide an alternative avenue for justice.
Legal experts suggest that this institution could be a “Special African Chamber” similar to the one that tried former Chadian President Hissène Habré. This body would have the authority to investigate not only the warring parties but also “countries and entities” that facilitate violations by providing weapons, financial support, and logistics.
The missions expressed grave concern regarding the “ethnic cleansing” campaign being carried out by the RSF against indigenous populations, specifically in El Fasher, Darfur, and the Kordofan regions. They called for an immediate end to these acts and for displaced communities to be returned while respecting their “cultural identity.” Finally, the declaration noted that the use of starvation as a weapon of war and attacks on markets and hospitals are clear violations of international law, causing severe harm to the elderly and persons with disabilities.
The Banjul Declaration establishes a clear roadmap for the international community and the warring parties, with its primary focus being the immediate cessation of attacks on civilians and the commencement of a sustainable ceasefire supported by a credible monitoring system.
Furthermore, it urges that humanitarian aid reach victims without any obstacles and calls for an end to sexual violence against women, alongside the provision of medical and psychological support for survivors.
The declaration specifically demands an immediate halt to the ethnic cleansing campaigns observed in Darfur and Kordofan, while also calling for the release of citizens who have been forcibly disappeared or illegally detained without trial.
To ensure accountability, the declaration urges the establishment of an independent, African-led judicial institution, and calls on the conflicting parties to cooperate with the missions to ensure the protection of information and witnesses.
It also stresses the need for the African Union and the United Nations to translate their passed resolutions into concrete action. Regarding international responsibility, it sets a direction for foreign countries to stop supplying weapons for the war and to recognize that the conflict cannot be resolved through a military victory, necessitating a transition to civilian-led governance.
Finally, the missions issued a call to the United Nations Security Council and the African Union Peace and Security Council to take “targeted measures” against those responsible for fueling the conflict.
