Africa Group for Justice and Accountability: Recommit to Democratic Transition and Justice in Sudan
The Africa Group for Justice and Accountability (AGJA) strongly urges authorities in Sudan to recommit to the country’s democratic transition and to the protection of fundamental human rights and freedoms.
Two weeks ago, the military took power in Sudan, arresting civilian leaders. The AGJA commends the ongoing efforts of the African Union under the leadership of President Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa, as well as United Nations and others to find a mediated solution to the current crisis.
The Africa Group also expresses its profound concerns over reports of violence against protestors in Sudan. All actors responsible for illegally detaining, injuring and killing civilians during this time must be held to account. Demonstrators must be allowed to express their will without fear of excessive force or violent retribution.
AGJA also urges that Sudan’s leaders recommit to working with international and regional actors in achieving justice and accountability for atrocities in Darfur as well as those related to the 2019 uprising against the regime of Omar al-Bashir. Whether at the International Criminal Court or in the proposed Special Court for Darfur, victims and survivors of atrocities in the country deserve to see perpetrators held to account.
Above all, the Africa Group stands in solidarity with the citizens of Sudan who, only two years ago, agitated for democratic change, a process of constitutional renewal, and civilian governance. The people of Sudan have shown remarkable courage in entering the streets to demand that their democratic aspirations and dignity be upheld. AGJA commends their commitment to justice and peace.
The Africa Group for Justice and Accountability (AGJA) supports efforts to strengthen justice and accountability measures in Africa through domestic and regional capacity building, advice and outreach, and enhancing co-operation between Africa and the International Criminal Court. It comprises senior African experts on international criminal law and human rights, including political figures, members of international and domestic tribunals, and human rights advocates:
- Dapo Akande
NIGERIA
Professor of Public International Law, University of Oxford - Richard J. Goldstone
SOUTH AFRICA
Former Chief Prosecutor of the United Nations International Criminal Tribunals for Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia - Hassan Bubacar Jallow
GAMBIA
Chief Justice of The Gambia, former Prosecutor at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals - Tiyanjana Maluwa
MALAWI
H. Laddie Montague Chair in Law, Pennsylvania State University School of Law - Athaliah Molokomme
BOTSWANA
Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Botswana to Switzerland and the UN Office in Geneva, and former Attorney- General of Botswana - Betty Kaari Murungi
KENYA
Advocate of the High Court of Kenya - Mohamed Chande Othman
TANZANIA
Former Chief Justice of Tanzania - Navi Pillay
SOUTH AFRICA
Former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights - Catherine Samba-Panza
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
Former Transitional President of the Central African Republic - Fatiha Serour
ALGERIA
Director of Serour Associates for Inclusion and Equity, former UN Deputy Special Representative for Somalia - Abdul Tejan-Cole
SIERRA LEONE
Executive Director, African Studies Association
