Voices for Sudan Report: Civil Society Forum on Sudan and South Sudan in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

On January 21st through the 23rd, Voices for Sudan participated in the Civil Society Forum on Sudan and South Sudan in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Abdelbagi Jibril of the Darfur Relief and Documentation Center (DRDC) organized the forum as a pre-Summit contribution to the 20th ordinary session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government. Jimmy Mulla, President and Co-Founder of Voices for Sudan, and Kelly Kundrat, Program Director of Voices for Sudan, were invited along with fellow leaders of 80 Sudan-focused advocacy groups, representing national, regional and international organizations. Voices for Sudans attendance at this important conference was made possible by individual and group supporters of the organization. Without such support from our friends and family, this important work would not be possible. Special thanks to: Debi Keller and Humanity United, Eric Cohen, Raymond Huey, Richard Parkins, Timothy Oslovich, Osseynou Sonko and Abdelbagi Jibril and the entire DRDC team for making the trip a reality.

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The conference took place at the beautiful campus of the International Livestock Research Institute, or the ILRI, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. All in attendance were welcomed with bright flowers and crisp sunshine. The conference officially opened on Monday, January 21st 2013 with welcome statements from Ms. Hannah Foster, Executive Director of the African Center for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS), Abdelbagi Jibril, Executive Director of the DRDC, Mr. Biel Boutro Biel of the South Sudanese Human Rights Society for Advocacy (SSHRSA), Dr. Kambudzi, Secretary to the Peace and Security Council, AU Commission, and Ms Sephat Nega, representing H.E. Behane GebreChristos, State Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Chair of the IGAD Countries Ministerial Council. All participants gave compelling opening statements, effectively setting the tone for the conference. After welcoming all participants, Mr. Jibril highlighted the AU Summits focus on PanAfricanism, and wished to keep the important concept central to the discussion at the Forum. PanAfricanism is an ideological movement focused on uniting African peoples worldwide in solidarity. With the Forum officially declared open by the central organizers, the presenters of the first panel, Day One Session One, sat together at the front table of the conference room.

The first presenter of this panel was Dr. Mukesh Kapila, a Special Representative on Crimes Against Humanity (Aegis Trust) and former UN Resident Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan. His presentation was titled 10 Years of the Humanitarian Crisis in Darfur: Personal Reflections. With years of experience working to end the humanitarian crisis in Darfur, Dr. Kapila gave a powerful and passionate presentation. Dr. Kapila explained being in the region when the crisis in Darfur began to unfold, and his desperate struggles in getting the international community involved. Parallels were drawn between the occurrences he witnessed in Darfur ten years ago and what is occurring currently in the Blue Nile, Nuba Mountains and South Kordofan region of Sudan. But this is much worse. It is all that we saw in Darfur with the addition of modern weaponry on top of tactics of ethnic cleansing. This is Darfur Plus. One of the central problems in the efforts to stop the tragedies, according to Dr. Kapila, is fragmentation. The geographical arenas of these crimes against humanity in Sudan are being fragmented when they should be unified. Dr. Kapila laid out two suggestions for resolving the crises in Sudan: First, all theaters must be connected for a solution because the bigger picture is being lost. Second, African voices should be the leadbut crimes against humanity constitute a crime against all humanity. There needs to be a stronger partnership between the Sudanese people and international organizations. According to Dr. Kapila there has not been a great change

in the response to the widespread killings in Sudan. He noted that individuals must unite in a more substantial waynot simply in solidarity but in action. Dr. Kapila ended his presentation stating a sustainable resolution requires an upscale global effort and both justice and accountability. He advised against overcomplicating the narrative. The next presenter, Mr. Abdul Mohammed, Chief of Staff, African Union (AU) High-Level Implementation Panel, refrained from giving his personal opinions as he was representing an institution, the AU. His contribution was titled AU Involvement in Sudan and South Sudan: Continued Engagement. The AUs involvement is strategic, according to Mr. Abdul Mohammed. The way the Sudan and South Sudan conflict resolves itself effects all of African and is in Africas best interest to resolve, Mr. Abdul Mohammed stated. Mr. Abdul Mohammed emphasized two points: first, the strategic importance of Sudan and second, the problem of Sudan being highly internationalized, stating how the international community engages itself in Sudan is Africas business. His Africaonly approach to the problems in Sudan and South Sudan were emphasized further when he stated the issues in Sudan and South Sudan must be understood before defining the problems, taking care not to get involved based on the definitions of others. These other definitions of the problems in the region can be taken into account, but there needs to be an African decision, according to Mr. Abdul Mohammed. The outline of the African Unions principles Kundrat #"

involvement in Sudan were described as the following: first, the separation of the two Sudans not separated into an Arab North and an African South, and secondly, the management of two diverse societies in separation, but remaining amicable neighbors for the sake of mutual interdependency. Mr. Abdul Mohammed outlined three lessons. First, the engagement of the AU has been and will continue to be sustained. There are no quick fixes, so the involvement requires patience. Second, both countries have leadership groups from the Sudanese elite. These individuals are tactical thinkers and purposefully address day-to-day problems, purposefully getting out of solving long-term issues. Third, AU has successfully managed international intervention to help facilitate aid and sustainable solutions. Mr. Abdul Mohammed concluded his presentation by stating a major problem in reconciling the issues within and between the two countries remains the problem of having too many actors without purpose and a lack of long-term thinking. The third presenter from Session One, Day One was Professor Kwame Karikari, Director for the Media Foundation of West Africa. His contribution was The Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan and South Sudan: A Regional and Global Concern. Professor Karikari pointed out Sudan and South Sudans placement within the zone of a conflict regionthe geographical proximity to civil wars, political events etc...may contribute and intensify the problems being experienced within and between

the countries. For example, the crisis in Mali has effected the surrounding regions and half of the continent. Issues of Arab colonization, the slave trade, and contemporary economic resource management issues (such as oil) serve to inflame the conflict, or make the conflict more flammable, according to Professor Karikari. The effects of these issues reach far beyond their set geographical region. Beyond pointing out the interconnectedness of various issues effecting Sudan and South Sudan, Professor Karikari called upon 1) the AU to develop policies surrounding oil production in order to make the natural resource a blessing, not a curse, 2) the African media to present more information on the issues of Sudan and South Sudan as there is the too heavy a reliance on external, Western media, and 3) the AU and NGOs to encourage more African volunteers as the African involvement represents much needed human resources. Professor Karikari concluded his presentation by warning of the possibility of indigenous knowledge and culture being destroyed by the ongoing living conditions. The final presenter from Day One Session One was Dr. Usman Bugaje, Former Presidential Envoy of the Federal Government of Nigeria to Sudan. His presentation was The Report of the AU High-Level Panel on Darfur: An Authentic African Intellectual Contribution. Dr. Bugaje pointed to three major issues in Sudan: 1) Power and wealth, 2) religion and 3) ethnicity. You can share power and wealth. You can manage diversity, but you cannot share religion and

culture, Dr. Bugaje explained, Pitting culture against one another creates phobia. An understanding of culture and religion should be revisited. Dr. Bugaje addressed the issues of diversity within the region, and the importance of creating cross-cultural awareness and understanding. The region does not have to be uniform to be united, Dr. Bugaje concluded. After the panel presenters spoke, fellow participants of the conference were allowed a chance to make comments and ask further questions. The issue of whether the troubles faced by the people within Sudan and South Sudan constituted an African problem, needing an African solution or whether the international community should be engaged came up again. This is a false debate! Dr. Kapila stated, The people in the Nuba Mountains are not going to ask, Where are you from? I only want to be saved by people from the Moon. No! They say Help! We must move beyond this debate so there is no more divide and rule. Listen to the people most effected by this and let that guide the efforts. The panel session ended with a call to reignite pan-African solidarityin the form of student movements, labor movements etc...to push the leaders within the region to do what they should.

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Day One Session Two: The second panel began after a lunch break. The first presenter was Mr. Magdi Al Naim, a Human Rights Researcher in Khartoum. His presentation was Civil Rights and Political Freedoms in Sudan: Continuous Regression in all Fields. Mr. Magdi Al Naim explained that human rights violations, as well as the political and economic crisis within the region, are increasing. Victims are mainly youth, Mr. Magdi Al Naim stated. He informed the participants that fundamentalists monopolize accessibility to resources. The second presenter was Dr. Suliman Balbo, the Director of the Africa Division at the International Center for Transitional Justice. His presentation, Intertribal Violence in North Darfur and South Kordofan States: A Hidden Civil War? made the argument that the ongoing tribal warfare often dismissed as local level quarrels actually represents a form of hidden civil war. The tribal conflicts, according to Dr. Suliman Balbo, are often over resources and boundaries but the introduction of weaponry transformed the conflicts. Dr. Suliman Balbo points to the modern governments loss of ability to keep the peace. Next was Ms. Corlett Letlojane speaking for the absent Mr. Hassan Shire Sheikh, Executive Director of the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project (EHAHRDP). Mr. Sheikhs report, as presented by Ms. Letlojane, was on The Situation of Human Rights Defenders in Sudan. The presentation touched on the violence targeted at activists speaking out within the country as

well as the issue of surveillance. Many activists, according to the presentation, are being arrested, tortured and sometimes killed. The final presenter from the second panel on the first day was Dr. Mohammed Jalal Hashim, Secretary General for the Nubian Association. Dr. Hashims presentation, Fundamental Freedom and Liberties: Curtailment of Press Freedoms and Freedom of Association in Sudan, discussed the changes in the freedom of press within the country after the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). Dr. Hashim explained that after the CPA, the grip on the president was released a little, giving him more power to restrict freedoms. At that time, the president closed form newspapers and NGOs. Various editors and journalists were summoned, representing the new method of systematic harassment. Individuals would get sued, then suspended, and then confiscated, according the Dr. Hashim. Various websites and some personal email accounts would be hacked and blocked. All of these tactics, according to Dr. Hashim, served to prevent certain journalists from writing and has created a state of vulnerability for NGOs functioning within Sudan.

Day One Session Three: The third session of the first day included updates from particular conflict regions. Mr. Hafiz Mohamed Ismaed, the Director of Justice Africa (Sudan) gave an update on the situation in

the South Kordofan State. Mr. Ismaed outlined the great displacement occurring within the region. An invisible displacement phenomenon is occurring because people distrust the government, resulting in a lack of given details. Mr. Ismaed spoke about serious food and health issues within the South Kordofan State, particularly the outbreak of diarrhea. He concluded by stating immediate action is needed. The next presenter was Dr. Luka Biong Deng, the Director of the Kush World Organization. Dr. Luka gave an update on the situation in the Blue Nile State. He touched on the hotly contested Abyei region, and the issue of individuals returning after being displaced without assistance. The large population influx is occurring without any government present in the area, just the United Nations. Dr. Luka made a special call to the presidents to push the proposal for the Abyei referendum and economic future. The final presenter for this panel was Dr. Hamid Eltigani Ali, President of the DRDC. Dr. Eltigani gave an update on the humanitarian situation in Darfur. A call to endorse unity of all the Sudanese people was made by Dr. Eltigani. He claimed to stop the crisis in the region the priority needs to be to prevent the Sudanese state from failing. To do this, Dr. Eltigani states we must find the common denominator and keep from getting too caught up in ideological discussions. The panel ended with a challenge to end impunity at all levels, not just on the international stage.

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With such an intellectual and passionate group of panelists on the panels for the day, the final panel, Session Four, was cancelled due to lack of time. This panel would have included our own Jimmy Mullas presentation South Sudan and the NationBuilding Process: A Civil Society Perspective. Instead, the first day of the conference ended with a presentation of Yoletta Nyanges documentary, Erasing the Nuba: a powerful journalistic piece on the ongoing bombing of the people living in the Nuba Mountains.

Day Two Session One: After a night of deep sleep enjoying the superb weather Addis Ababa has to offer, Day Two began with Session One, a panel focused on the issues surrounding Sudanese women. The first presenter was Ms. Arwa Al Rabie, Manager for the Khatim Adlan Center for Enlightenment and Human Development. Ms. Rabies presentation was on the Violations of Womens Rights under the Sudanese Public Order Laws. She explained the governments process of keeping women out of the public sector through harassment and discrimination. In particular, the Public Order laws are being used

to justify this harassment and discrimination against women. The laws themselves are problematic, according to Ms. Rabie, because of their ambiguity and unclear methods of implementation. Ms. Rabie presented her belief that the laws regarding improper dress are enforced in such a way that function to make women feel ashamed of their bodies. Any public officer can stop a woman on the street and say shes in improper dress or with males that are not related to her, Ms. Rabie had explained. Ms. Rabie had stated these problematic Public Order laws represent not only legal issues, but also larger issues with women being treated as second-class citizens in Sudan. Being feminine became a crime in itself to the legislatures. The second presenter was Ms. Niemat Ahmadi, President of the Darfur Women Action Group. Her presentation was An Update About the Situation of Women in Darfur. Ms. Ahmadi explained that the internally and externally displaced people in Darfur are mostly women. The widespread use of rape as a weapon of war has effectively sidelined women. Ms. Ahmadi stated women are an important resource in Darfur, and a solution to the issues for women must be reached in order for the Darfur issue to be resolved. She also mentioned the practice of systematic rape of girls and women is occurring across Sudan, not just in Darfur. Women and girls are subject to arrests and torture by the regime. Ms. Ahmadi expressed disappointment in the UN and AU lack of a gender-neutral approach. Women are not part of the negotiation and peacemaking process. They have had no say in

this mediation. Woman must be brought back in to the process, Ms. Ahmadi explained. Beyond the current issues of widespread systematic rape, Ms. Ahmadi expressed concern with the lack of a safe space in which women can report these crimes. Women are not expected to go to the courts, and as most courts are male, women who do go are not comfortable enough to tell their story, Ms. Ahmadi stated. During the comments and questions portion of this panel, someone expressed their opinion that time is being wasted on storytelling: that we already know all these stories and information, but what we need to talk about is policy suggestions. Ms. Ahmadi disagreed with this, stating that while policy suggestions and comprehensive strategies are of vital importance, storytelling is as well. For example, she brought up the Rwandan genocide and mentioned she did not know about the violence until seeing the movie Hotel Rwanda. It is very possible, according to Ms. Ahmadi, that Sudanese neighbors may not know about the situations in Sudan, and that telling these stories is important to spread awareness.

Day Two Session Two: The second session of the second day involved issues of racial and cultural identities struggles as a means to justify power and exclusion. The first presenter was Dr. Al Baqir AlAfif, Director of KACEHD. His Kundrat &"

presentation was the Armed Conflicts and Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan as Catalysts of the National Identity Dilemma in Sudan. Dr. Baqir stated his high hopes for the CPA thinking the agreement would simply divide one peoples into two countries with soft borders and dual citizenship. However, this did not happen. Dr. Baqirs explanation for why things went bad involved one ethnic groups rules, both political and structural. In other words, according to Dr. Baqir, the ruling class within Sudan has institutionalized their own prejudicesa project followed by the Sudan governmentand skewed identities, affecting the psyche of the national people. The new element of this program of discrimination is to eliminate indigenous identities, recreating the population into their own image, Dr. Baqir explained. The next presenter, Dr. Juma Kunda Koney, Lecturer at the Bahri Open University in Khartoum, discussed the Essence of the Crisis of Governance and the Role of Cultural Assimilation in Armed Conflicts and Political Unrest in Sudan. Dr. Koney explained that the issues of the conflict and ethnocide are caused by a crisis in the contested national identity. The current national identity in Sudan is not accommodating to sub-national identities, Dr. Koney stated. Next, Mr. Jerome Tubiana, a Sudan Analyst at the International Crisis Group, presented the Center-Periphery Relations in Sudan and their Impact on Full Enjoyment of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. Mr. Tubiana stated, The wars are between the peripheries and the centerwhich

is not so much marginalization but horizontal inequalities. Mr. Tubiana warned against the dangers of making political issues based on demographic identities, claiming, This is not a onedimensional conflict. The panel ended with recommendations on how to end the oppressive tactics of acculturation and assimilation.

suited to end the suffering of Sudanese civilians, it should happen, Mr. Ismail explained. The failure of international intervention to provide protection to the people of Darfur has stemmed from a lack of communication. A possible solution to the lack of reporting on the situation in Darfur could be for international organizations, such as UNAMID, to step in to provide training and supply technology to the people within the region.

Day Two Session Three: The third session of the second day addressed interhumanitarian matters. The first presenter was Commander Abebe Muluneh Beyene, Head of the IGAD Security Sector Program, who presented The Role of IGAD Countries in the Protection of Civilians in Sudan and South Sudan. Mr. Beyene discussed the drought that had affected many of the IGAD countries and the subsequent issue of widespread famine. He stated, The security threats are highly interlinked and interconnected, within the region, and that the drought and famine led to a mistrust of the member states. Second was Mr. Omer Ismail, a Senior Policy Advisor for the Enough Project, presenting Rule of Law and Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Darfur Experience). Mr. Ismail stated that it is the most basic rule of law for a state to protect its civilians. If a state fails to do this, said Mr. Ismail, then international organizations should step in. Although members of the international community may not represent those who would be best

The final presenter of session three was Dr. Mehari Taddele Maru, an Independent Expert, presenting Reinforcing the Protection of Civilians Under Situations of Armed Conflicts: The Need for Urgent Reform of UNAMID. Dr. Maru pointed out the potential for utilizing the conference as a forum to engage AU council officials. There needs to be a source for a stable and legitimate democratic state in Sudan. According to Dr. Maru, Sudan fails the credibility test because of the 1) systematic violation of rights, 2) violation of the trust of the people through manipulation and deception, and 3) lack of constitutional ability to change the government. The question and answer portion of this panel presentation touched on the loss of UNAMID neutrality and the need for an UNAMID accountability system.

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Day Two Session Four: The fourth session of the second day discussed the engagement of international organizations within the crises in Sudan. The first presenter was Mr. Desire Assogbavi, Head of Oxfam Liaison Office with the African Union. Mr. Assogbavi presented Collaboration between the AU and Civil Society: Procedures and Practice. Here, Mr. Assogbavi discussed four main spaces of collaboration: 1) institutional space; created by AU policies with few real impacts and very bureaucratic, 2) invited space; AU commission cultures, 3) selfcreated spaces and 4) joint space; jointly organized. Mr. Assogbavi explained there are still many challenges with this coalition, pointing out that only ten percent or less of AU decisions are actually implemented. The next presenter was Dr. Lulsegged Abebe from International Alert. Dr. Abebes presentation was Cooperation Between the Inter-Governmental Organizations and Civil Society: Practical Experience. Dr. Abebe explained that a treaty between two or more governments constituted an inter-governmental organization. Dr. Abebe expressed his belief in the need for a new definition of global leadership and international cooperation in order to create an effective collective global group. Through this leadership, dialogue can be facilitated with a consultation and

partnership with the civil society, according to Dr. Abebe. The final presenter wished to remain anonymous and presented on the Cooperation between UNAMID and Local Civil Society: Practical Experience from Sudan. Anonymous stated that although UNAMID is a peacekeeping organization that has facilitated peace agreements, these agreements have never brought about peace. The Janjaweed, according to Anonymous, is becoming more then they used to be. Anonymous believed the peacekeeping efforts of UNAMID have been ineffective and as such, a change must be made.

Day Three Session One: The third and final day of the Civil Society Forum on Sudan and South Sudan began with an acknowledgment of the lack of South Sudanese voices thus far. This was rectified with and invitation for participants from the South to present on the ongoing situations within the region. Conference participants from the South explained that over 60% of the population in the south is women because of the long-term conflict. Individuals also expressed the need to codify customary lawsespecially in regards to affirmative action for women in the government.

The first panel of the third day was the Civil Society Perspective and Strategy on Future Advocacy Action on Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan. The first presenter, Ms. Miriam Kemple, the Campaigns and Advocacy Manager of Crisis Action, discussed Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile: Addressing the Conflict through Coordinated Advocacy. Ms. Kemple explained the concerns and goals of Crisis Action as being 1) the protection of civilians in armed conflict, 2) working behind the scenes and 3) working globally. Ms. Kemple explained that There will be no agreement elsewhere in the region without peace in Darfur and the Blue Nile / South Kordofan. Crisis Action is, according to Ms. Kemple, working with actors who actually have leverage with the Sudan government in order to establish peace. The next presenter, Mr. Hafiz Ismael from Justice Africa, discussed the National Civil Society Perspective in Sudan. Mr. Ismael explained that civil society is losing its place in Sudan because of restrictions, red tape and capacity building. The government is working hard to drain their resources, Mr. Ismael stated. There is a front of freedom and democracy with civil society, but it is not truethere are too many restrictions. To have national advocacy, we need an active civil Kundrat ("

society working together throughout the year, not just coming together at this forum, Mr. Ismael said. He ended his presentation with the need for a clear articulation of a cumulative civil society message to establish clear goals of future projects. Next was Mr. Edmund Yekani, the Director of Community Empowerment Progress Organization, presenting the National Civil Society Perspective from South Sudan. Mr. Yekani explained the need for the civil society to come out with a very strong message, and called for the AU implementation panel to open doors to civil society. The civil society in South Sudan is receiving no feedback from policy makers and government officials, according to Mr. Yekani. He explained that there must be an institutionalization of advocacy with participatory national policy development. This encouragement of interaction would, according to Mr. Yekani, secure a space for human rights. Mr. Yekani also pointed out the problematic practice of individual militia groups becoming a part of the South Sudan police force without any actual training. He concluded by calling for a push for accountability and transparency within South Sudan. Next, Niemat Ahmadi spoke about the United to End Genocide approach. Ms. Ahmadi stated the plan is twofold: 1) bringing together key players coinciding with the ten year mark of the Darfur genocide and 2) events in D.C. marking ten years of atrocity called Decade in Darfur. According to Ms. Ahmadi, these events will be done alongside an arrest Bashir campaign.

The last presenter, Ms. Hannah Forster, Executive Director of the African Center for Democracy and Human Rights Studies, spoke about the Regional Civil Society Perspective. Ms. Forster discussed the important of having interface between advocacy efforts and the need for coordination. We must head the Sudanese voices first, then we can add outsider help and support, Ms. Forster stated.

Final SessionElaboration and Adoption of Issue-Specific Resolutions: The capstone event of the Civil Society Forum on Sudan and South Sudan was the Commission of the Whole: Elaboration and Adoption of Issue-Specific Resolutions. Here, all participants of the conference conferred to edit and adopt nine resolutions. These resolutions can be read in their entirety below, and include the following: 1) Resolution on the Humanitarian Situation in Southern Kordofan and the Blue Nile States, 2) Resolution on Armed Militias in Sudan, 3) Resolution on the Status of Stateless Persons in Sudan, 4) Resolution on the Situation of Human Rights in the Republic of South Sudan, 5) Resolution on the United Nations and African Union Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), 6) Resolution on the Report of the African Union High-

Level Panel on Darfur (AUHIP), 7) Resolution on the Situation in Darfur, 8) Resolution on the Critical Situation of Women in Sudan and South Sudan, 9) Resolution on Civil Rights and Political Freedoms in Sudan. President and Co-founder of Voices for Sudan, Jimmy Mulla, helped draft and edit Resolution One on the Humanitarian Situation in Southern Kordofan. Program Director, Kelly Kundrat, helped draft and edit Resolution Eight on the Critical Situation of Women in Sudan and South Sudan. Since the conference, progress has been made with the proposed resolutions. After a series of discussions with some members and the Secretary of the AU Peace and Security Council, the resolutions of DRDC-led meeting will be presented to the members of the PSC hopefully as agenda for a plenary session or to limited group of interested member states. We will keep you updated as progress continues with these important resolutions.

-Kelly Kundrat Program Director Voices for Sudan

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The First Session of the Civil Society Forum on Sudan and South Sudan convened in Addis Ababa on 21-23 January 2013. This three-day event was organised by Darfur Relief and Documentation Centre in collaboration with the African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies, Darfur Bar Association, Human Rights Institute of South Africa and South Sudan Human Rights Society for Advocacy. The Forum was organised as a civil society contribution to the 20th session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government. More than 80 participants attended the first session of the Forum. They represent independent NGOs from Sudan and South Sudan as well as Sudan-focused civil society groups from Africa and Western Europe. Senior officials from the African Union Commission, Inter-governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the United Nations and the European Union attended the First Session of the Civil Society Forum on Sudan and South Sudan. The key objectives of the Forum are: 1. To map-out the obstacles to the realisation of durable peace in Sudan and South Sudan and to share such findings with relevant AU organs and the IGAD Secretariat; 2. To strengthen collaboration between Sudan-focused civil society groups and the IGAD Secretariat, the AU and its specialised organs such as the DPA, AUPSC, ECOSOCC, CIDO, ACHPR, PAP etc.; and 3. To harmonise advocacy activities among Sudanese and Sudan-focused civil society and present their collective vision on the on-going situation to concerned partners at the continental and the global levels. The Forum adopted 11 resolutions addressing an array of issues in Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan. The resolutions adopted addressed the following matters: 1. Humanitarian Situation in the Southern Kordofan and the Blue Nile States 2. Armed Militias in Sudan 3. Status of Stateless Persons in Sudan 4. Human Rights Situation in the Republic of South Sudan 5. United Nations and African Union Hybrid operation in Darfur (UNAMID) 6. Report of the African Union High-Level Panel on Darfur (AUHIP) 7. Situation in Darfur 8. Critical Situation of Women in Sudan and South Sudan 9. Civil Rights and Political Freedoms in Sudan 10. Situation in Abyei Area 11. Civil Society: Current Situation and Recommendations

1. Resolution on the Situation in Southern Kordofan and the Blue Nile States We, the participants at the Civil Society Forum on Sudan and South Sudan held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 21st23rd January 2013, within the context of the 20th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government. Considering the provisions of the Constitutive Act of the African Union (AU), the Charter of the United Nations (UN) as well as those of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights and other regional and international human rights instruments to which Sudan as a state party, is legally bound to fully and effectively implement the provisions of these instruments, and respect and promote the human rights and fundamental freedoms set therein without discrimination on any ground; Deeply concerned about the catastrophic humanitarian situation, insecurity, violence and massive violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms being committed in Southern Kordofan and the Blue Nile States in the Republic of Sudan; Outraged at the continuing reports of grave violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in these two states, including indiscriminate aerial bombardment in civilian areas and massive displacement of civilian populations, looting of homes and destruction of property, arbitrary arrests and illegal detention of perceived political opponents, torture, extrajudicial killings, and enforced disappearances of civilians, especially those belonging to the indigenous Nuba and Ingassina ethnic groups in these regions; Deploring the unwillingness of the Government of Sudan to allow UN agencies and well as independent international relief organizations and humanitarian workers access to the war-affected populations thus putting the lives of a growing number of civilians in these two regions, especially women and children, at high risk; Welcoming efforts of the AU to address the situation in South Kordofan and the Blue Nile States and recalling in this regard Communiqu PSC/MIN/COMM/3.(CCCXIX) adopted by the AU Peace and Security Council on 24 April 2012, as endorsed by UNSC Resolution no. 2046/2012; provided a comprehensive approach which, inter alia, set out specific timetable for the government of Sudan and the Sudan Peoples Liberation MovementNorth (SPLM-N) to reach a peaceful resolution to the armed conflict in those regions; Noting also that Communiqu PSC/MIN/COMM/3. (CCCXIX) called on the Government of Sudan to accept the tripartite proposal as submitted by the AU, the UN and the League of Arab States to permit humanitarian access to the population in Southern Kordofan and the Blue Nile States and to date the Government of Sudan has failed to authorize the implementation of this arrangement; Fully convinced that lasting and sustainable peace and stability in Sudan as well as a durable end to armed conflicts and political unrest in the country necessitate comprehensive solutions through just and negotiated political settlements that address the root causes of such conflicts in all parts of the country; We call upon the 20th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government to:

1. Urge the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North to take immediate steps to start political negotiations and reach an acceptable and lasting settlement of the armed conflict in the Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan States in accordance with Communiqu PSC/MIN/COMM/3.(CCCXIX) adopted by the AU Peace and Security Council on 24 April 2012 as endorsed by the UN Security Council Resolution 2046 of 2 May 2012, and that a specific timetable be fixed for the two parties to reach such a political settlement. 2. Further urge the parties to the conflict to observe a cessation of hostilities arrangement, with immediate effect, end all military activities and attacks against civilians in Southern Kordofan and the Blue Nile States and put a halt to the grave violations of human and peoples rights, in particular the indiscriminate aerial bombardment of inhabited areas and the forced displacement of civilians, with a specific deadline fixed for the two parties to reach such an arrangement. 3. Encourage the Government of Sudan to allow international relief organizations and independent reporters immediate and unconditional access to Southern Kordofan and the Blue Nile States in order to conduct assessments and provide the necessary independently monitored humanitarian assistance to the needy civilians in the affected regions as agreed upon by the AU, the League of Arab States and the UN and provided for in the "Joint AU/LAS/UN Proposal for Access to Provide and Deliver Humanitarian Assistance to War-Affected Civilians in Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan States." 4. Request the UN Security Council to mandate an international fact-finding mission to visit Southern Kordofan and the Blue Nile States and to investigate and report back to the UNSC on the violations of human rights and international humanitarian law committed in these two states since the start of the conflict in June 2011. The Commission of Investigations should recommend to the UNSC measures to hold accountable perpetrators of atrocious crimes documented in its report. 5. Call on the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation MovementNorth to guarantee the fundamental rights of the victims to the restoration of their properties and land, and to reparations for the loss of lives, serious injuries, loss or damage of property, and other harms caused by the belligerents in the course of the conflict in South Kordofan and Blue Nile States. 6. Call on the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation MovementNorth to support processes of intercommunal and tribal reconciliation and restoration of social peace and peaceful coexistence among the population groups of the two states. Done at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 23rd January 2013

2. Resolution on Armed Militias in Sudan We, the participants at the Civil Society Forum on Sudan and South Sudan held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 21st23rd January 2013, within the context of the 20th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government. Considering the provisions of the Constitutive Act of the African Union (AU), the Charter of the United Nations (UN) as well as those of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, the Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa, the Protocol Establishing the AU Peace and Security Council, and other regional and international human rights instruments and humanitarian law; Noting that Article 4 of the AU Constitutive Act reaffirms faith in the dignity of the human person, in the sanctity of human life, and condemns and rejects impunity, thereby establishing the right of the AU Member States to intervene in the territory of any Member State to prevent the commission of grave crimes such as war crimes, crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing and genocide; Gravely concerned about the impact of armed conflicts on civilian populations, including women, children and other vulnerable groups, and that armed conflicts represent a real danger to territorial integrity and trans-border stability of concerned states; Stressing that maintaining peace and law and order is the prime responsibility of the regular security forces of the State and that there is a need for specific instruction of military personnel and security forces to uphold international humanitarian law and human and peoples rights; Deeply concerned by the policy of the Government of Sudan to recruit tribal militia groups and para-military formations such as the Popular Defense Forces, Central Reserve Police, Borders Guard, and that such groups commit heinous crimes abhorrent to all canons of civilized life targeting defenceless civilian populations in Darfur, Southern Kordofan and the Blue Nile States in flagrant violation of regional and international human rights and humanitarian law; We call upon the 20th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government to: 1. Condemn the violence and destruction of lives and livelihoods, including war crimes, crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing committed by tribal militia groups and paramilitary formations against civilian populations in Sudan to which they must be held accountable. 2. Condemn in the strongest possible terms the policy of the Government of Sudan to use militia groups in its military efforts in Darfur, Southern Kordofan and the Blue Nile States. 3. Express its concern about the integration of the Popular Defence Forces, tribal militias, and other paramilitary forces into the regular armed forces and police including some of the militias which were transformed into border guard forces.

4. Further express its concern about the practice of the Government of Sudan to mobilize and recruit militias from outside the country, and that such militia groups displace local communities with clear intention of demographic engineering. 5. Condemn the government policy to militarize society on ethnic ground and that militia groups recruited within this policy are deployed in areas different from their areas of origins. 6. Urge the Government of Sudan to take the necessary actions to disarm all armed groups other than the regular military and police forces. 7. Further urge the Government of Sudan to take immediate measures, in coordination with competent regional and international organizations, to disarm, dismantle and abrogate all laws that protect and organize its relationship with tribal militia groups and para-military formations. 8. Invite the AU Peace and Security Council to study the negative impact of the use of armed militia groups and para-military formations on the safety and security of civilians in Sudan, as well as the dangers that such groups pose to peace and stability in the African sub-region. 9. Urge the African Union Peace and Security Council, in collaboration with the Government of Sudan, to investigate the claim of deployments of foreign militias in conflict areas in Sudan. 10. Urge the Government of Sudan to ensure wider dissemination of information on international humanitarian law among its security forces and to integrate human rights education within the training programmes for such forces. Done at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 23rd January 2013

3. Resolution on the Status of Stateless Persons in Sudan We, the participants at the Civil Society Forum on Sudan and South Sudan held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 21st23rd January 2013, within the context of the 20th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government. Noting that the Government of Sudan has introduced amendments to the Sudanese Nationality Act of 1994, and that the amendments, which were adopted in response to the secession of the Republic of South Sudan entered into force on 10 August 2011; Deeply concerned that the amendments to the Sudanese Nationality Act of 1994 have been discriminatory in nature targeting a specific segment of the Sudanese population, for instance Article 10 (2) provides that "A person will automatically lose his Sudanese nationality if he has acquired, de jure or de facto, the nationality of South Sudan; has been retroactively applied, thereby full-fledged Sudanese citizens originating from South Sudan have been collectively and arbitrarily deprived of their rights; Noting also that in May 2011, Sudan introduced a new system of national identification (National Registration Numbers) declaring that the measure intends to preserve the Sudanese identity from intruders, and that registration through the new system is required for enjoyment of citizenship rights and access to civil amenities such as obtaining passports and driving licenses, employment in the public and private sectors, university registration, banking transactions and exit visa; Gravely concerned about reports that the process of authentication of the identity of the applicants for the National Registration Number is marred by serious difficulties and implemented in a manner that discriminates against citizens originating from certain regions of the country, and that the security risks as well as the weak infrastructure or unavailability of communication networks are being used by government officials as reasons that the internally displaced persons and war victims in Darfur, Southern Kordofan and the Blue Nile States are deliberately left out in the registration process; Deeply alarmed by the reports that the process of national identification is complicated, selective and highly politicized and that individuals from some peripheral regions of Sudan or those of South Sudan origin were arbitrarily deprived of their right to procure National Registration Numbers without respect to the evidence that these individuals are fullfledged Sudanese citizens as governed by jus soli and jus sanguinis principles under the Sudanese Nationality Act, thus creating a situation of growing statelessness in Sudan; We call upon the 20th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government to: 1. Urge the Government of Sudan to respect its obligations under regional and international human rights treaties to which Sudan is a state party, and in particular to protect the rights and freedoms of all individuals living in Sudan, especially those Sudanese citizens with South Sudanese ancestry. 2. Advise the Government of Sudan to eliminate all discriminatory administrative measures and practices associated with the procurement of the "National Registration Number" and to facilitate the procedures for obtaining the Sudanese identity documents to all rightful citizens, especially those in Sudan's peripheral areas including the internally displaced persons in Darfur, Southern Kordofan and

the Blue Nile States, without prejudice. 3. Urge the Government of Sudan to take the necessary steps to ensure that the process of national identification does not create a situation of statelessness in the country and that human dignity requires that the individual's volition of its citizens be accorded the utmost respect in matters and procedures for the authentication and establishment of national identity. Done at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 23rd January 2013

4. Resolution on the Situation of Human Rights in the Republic of South Sudan We, the participants at the Civil Society Forum on Sudan and South Sudan held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 21st23rd January 2013, within the context of the 20th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government. Guided by the principles and objectives of the African Union (AU) Constitutive Act, the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Bill of Human Rights, the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and other relevant regional and international human rights instruments; Reaffirming the fundamental obligation of States to ensure that all individuals within their territories fully enjoy their human rights, liberties and freedoms and that States have the primary responsibility for the promotion and protection of all human rights, including civil and political rights as well as economic, social and cultural rights and the right to development; Reaffirming also that States need to build the necessary legal and legislative framework and eliminate any legal vacuum that could exist and create a situation in which individuals and groups are rendered vulnerable to violations of their basic rights, including harassment, intimidation and arbitrary arrest and detentions, and that the absence of legal safeguards enables the security officers to arrest and detain people without any judicial purview or the authority to do so; . Acknowledging the growing challenges faced by the Republic of South Sudan in its efforts in the vital fields of state-building and institutional capacity as well as human rights education and training, however, such challenges shall not be considered as pretexts for regression in the area of the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms or for the violations thereof; We call upon the 20th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government to: 1. Urge the Republic of South Sudan to take immediate steps to adhere to the major regional and international human rights instruments, particularly the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, the Protocol on the Prevention and Suppression of Sexual Violence against Women and Children, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the International Convention on the Rights of the Child, the International Convention against All Forms of Racial Discrimination and other relevant regional and international human rights instruments. 2. Urge the Republic of South Sudan to urgently enact laws to protect freedom of expression, media freedoms, establish and regulate the powers of the national security service, especially with regard to the arrest and detention of people, and conduct independent investigations into abuses and killings of journalists, including the assassination of the late Isaiah Abraham, to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.

3. Encourage the Republic of South Sudan to accord particular attention to inculcating human rights culture - through training and education - among members of the law and order forces and that priority should be accorded to training in the area of the protection of civilian populations, the administration of justice and the rule of law, and the promotion and protection of womens human rights as well as the prevention and provision of response to acts of gender base violence. 4. Encourage the Republic of South Sudan to seek technical assistance and cooperation with competent regional and international institutions in the field of human rights education, training and capacity-building. 5. Encourage the Republic of South Sudan to cooperate with all national and international human rights monitoring bodies including, but not limited to, UN human rights observers, and ensure that those observers are given the freedom to investigate abuses without threat or hindrance from the government. 6. Urge the Republic of South Sudan to bring an end to abuses of human rights and rule of law, to put in place practical and effective measure to end impunity, and in particular to work towards the strengthening of the administration of justice, the Judiciary, and national human rights institutions. 7. Further urge the Republic of South Sudan to open a public debate on the abolition of the death penalty. 8. Encourage the Republic of South Sudan to speed up the enactment of the International Treaties Bill. Done at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 23rd January 2013

5. Resolution on the United Nations and African Union Hybrid operation in Darfur (UNAMID) We, the participants at the Civil Society Forum on Sudan and South Sudan held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 21st23rd January 2013, within the context of the 20th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government. Noting that the AU Constitutive Act has reaffirmed faith in the dignity of the human person, in the sanctity of life, and that it condemned and rejected impunity and established the right of the AU members to intervene in the territory of any AU member State to prevent the commission of war crimes, crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing and genocide; Fully recognizing the important role played by the United Nations and African Union Hybrid operation in Darfur (UNAMID) in providing services to the civilian populations; yet noting that UNAMID has achieved limited success in its mission of protecting civilians, facilitating the humanitarian relief operations, providing an environment conducive to the attainment of peace and security in Darfur. on reporting about the violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in Darfur, and that more robust action and efforts are needed in this respect; Deeply concerned that UNAMID's level of effort both on the basis of soldiers per sq. km or per 1000 inhabitants is below the accepted universal average, moreover, it continues to face serious obstacles and that it has not reached its authorized capacity, both in military capability and in the deployment of competent personnel, and that such shortcomings could eventually lead to the failure of the predominately African military force and its disgraceful withdrawal; Gravely concerned that UNAMID personnel are deliberately targeted by armed assailants in Darfur and that the attacks, which frequently take place in areas controlled by the Government of Sudan in proximity of army garrisons or security check points, have, so far, caused the death of over 43 soldiers and the injury of dozens others; meanwhile UNAMID's local staff are systematically arrested and detained by the security forces; and in this respect paying tribute to the fallen UNAMID personnel and to all other soldiers that were injured or maimed while on the line of duty in Darfur; We call upon the 20th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government to: 1. Reaffirm its determination to put an end to the humanitarian crisis in Darfur and demand that the warring parties end all military operations in Darfur and that the Government of Sudan fully respects relevant UN Security Council resolutions banning military flights, disarm the militia groups and allow the delivery of relief materials to the needy populations without any obstruction. 2. Renew faith in the efforts of UNAMID, strengthen its mandate and provide it with a stronger political and diplomatic support as well as the needed military equipment, including armoured vehicles and helicopters to ensure their safety and security.

3. Condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the deliberate attacks, killings, abductions and intimidation of UNAMID personnel and the disruption of their functions. 4. Request the AU Peace and Security Council and the UN Security Council to authorize an independent panel of experts to evaluate the performance of UNAMID and to determine the obstacles faced and make public the evaluation report. 5. Request that the AU-PSC and the UNSC encourage UNAMID to focus on civilian protection, especially by upholding its mandate under Chapter VII of the UN Charter as outlined in relevant UNSC resolutions and in accordance with the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). 6. Request UNAMID and the parties to the conflict in Darfur to initiate the Darfur Dialogue and Consultation (DDC) as stipulated in the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD). 7. Request the AU and UN to appoint an independent Mediation Mechanism for Darfur to re-launch a peace process that includes all the major Darfur insurgent movements non-signatories to the DDPD. Done at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 23rd January 2013

6. Resolution on the Report of the African Union High-Level Panel on Darfur (AUHIP) We, the participants at the Civil Society Forum on Sudan and South Sudan held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 21st23rd January 2013, within the context of the 20thOrdinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government. Taking note of the report of the AU High-Level Panel on Darfur (AUPD), as contained in Document (PSC/AHG/2(CCVII), adopted by the AU Peace and Security Council at its 207th Meeting held at the Level of Heads of State and Government in Abuja on 29 October 2009; Welcoming the findings and recommendations contained in the AUPD's report as an authentic African intellectual contribution agreed upon by eminent African statesmen and experts, and that they represent the best policy options to comprehensively and effectively address the issues of accountability, justice and combating impunity, on the one hand, and peace, healing and reconciliation on the other; Recalling Communiqu PSC/AHG/COMM.1(CCVII) adopted by the AU Peace and Security Council on 29 October 2009 in which the Council stressed that the AUPD's recommendations provide a sound roadmap for achieving peace, justice, reconciliation and healing in Darfur, and thereby contribute to promoting sustainable peace and stability in Sudan; Fully endorsing the Council's decision that the AUPD's recommendations shall be the basis of the AU engagement in Darfur and its interaction with international partners; Taking note of paras. 11 (d) of Communiqu PSC/AHG/COMM.1(CCVII) in which the Peace and Security Council requested the Chairperson of the AU Commission to establish an AU High Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP), composed of Presidents Thabo Mbeki, Pierre Buyoya, and Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, to oversee the implementation of the recommendations of the AUPD report and to promote democratization in the country; Fully convinced that the AUPD report provides an important opportunity for better understanding of the root causes of violence and armed conflicts in Darfur and Sudan at large and that full and scrupulous implementation of the recommendations contained therein paves the way for sustainable peace, stability, reconciliation and justice in Sudan; We call upon the 20th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government to: 1. Reaffirm its support to the full implementation of the recommendations contained in the AUPD report as a key policy option that would lead to improved security in Darfur; the voluntary return of refugees and internally displaced persons to their areas of origin, and to early recovery and development programmes; justice and reconciliation and eventually the conclusion of a comprehensive political agreement. 2. Request the Chairperson of the AUHIP to prepare a comprehensive work plan and to propose the necessary mechanisms, which will include civil society participation, to supervise the implementation of the recommendations of the AUPD's report.

3. Urge the International Sudan Consultative Forum, currently known as the SudanSouth Sudan Consultative Forum (SSSCF), to establish a coherent policy towards a holistic resolution of the problems of Sudan that would enable the international community to coordinate its activities relating to the peace and democratization in Sudan. 4. Request the AUHIP to urge the Peace and Security Council to liaise with the Government of Sudan to ensure that viable conditions are established for the return of the internally displaced persons and refugees to their places of origin. 5. Urge the Government of Sudan, the opposition forces (armed and non-violent, and civil society organizations) to foster national dialogue in order to achieve national consensus for a peaceful resolution of the conflicts and for democratic transformation. Done at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 23rd January 2013

7. Resolution on the Situation in Darfur We, the participants at the Civil Society Forum on Sudan and South Sudan held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 21st23rd January 2013, within the context of the 20th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government. Considering the provisions of the Constitutive Act of the African Union (AU), the Charter of the United Nations Organization (UN) as well as those of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights and other regional and international human rights instruments to which the Sudan as a state party, is legally bound to fully and effectively implement the provisions of these instruments and respect and promote the fundamental rights set therein without discrimination on any ground; Welcoming regional and international efforts to combat impunity, to uphold fundamental justice to the victims and to maintain durable peace in Darfur, including the decision of the International Criminal Court to hold accountable individuals accused of planning, executing, condoning or encouraging the commission of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide in Darfur; Highly appreciating efforts of the AU to address the situation in Darfur and recalling in this regard previous resolutions on Darfur adopted by the AU Assembly of Heads of States and Governments as well as those of the AU Peace and Security Council and other AU organs since the beginning of the conflict in 2003; notably Decisions: Assembly/AU/Dec.68 (IV) of 31st January 2005 and Assembly/AU/ Dec.54 (III) of 8th July 2004, Communiqu PSC/AHG/Comm. (XXIII) of 10th January 2005 as well as Communiqus PSC/AHG/Comm.(LXVI) and PSC/AHG/COMM.1(CCVII) adopted by the AU Heads of State and Government on 30th November 2007 and 29th October 2009 respectively; Deeply concerned at the ongoing grave violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in Darfur, in particular systematic attacks on civilians, destruction and burning of villages, aggression against internally displaced persons (IDPs) and civilians by the government security forces, including, inter alia, extra-judicial killings, forced disappearances, forced slavery, torture and detention without charges or trial as well as the lack of adequate protection of and assistance to IDPs and war-affected communities; Utterly outraged by reports of widespread rape and other forms of sexual violence against women including the girl child and other minors as a means of warfare in flagrant violation of both human rights law and international humanitarian law as well as the reports of abduction and forced labour of women and children committed by the security forces and militia groups within the context of the armed conflict in Darfur; Deeply concerned that military operations, including aerial bombardments of civilian targets and destruction of water sources as well as other grave violations of international humanitarian law are taking place in Darfur in a systematic manner despite numerous regional and international attempts to put an end to the conflict through negotiated settlement, including the signing of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur; We call upon the 20th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of States and Governments to urge the Government of Sudan to:

1. Meet its obligations under the AU Constitutive Act, the UN Charter, the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights and all other regional and international human rights treaties to which Sudan is a state party. 2. Stop, with immediate effect, all military activities and attacks against civilians in Darfur and end the grave violations of human and peoples rights, particularly, the ongoing forced de-population of entire areas in North Darfur State of their ethnic Zagawa inhabitants, and to cease all support, including the protection of and provision of weapon and other military supplies to the militia groups. 3. Allow immediate and unconditional return of international relief organizations to Darfur and provide the necessary support to all relief agencies and organizations in order to ensure immediate, full, safe and unhindered access to the war-affected population in Darfur and facilitate delivery of humanitarian assistance to civilians in need thereof. 4. Cooperate, fully and unconditionally, with the International Criminal Court in its efforts to bring to justice all persons suspected of perpetrating war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of genocide in Darfur and to arrest and hand over such individuals. We further call upon the 20th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of States to: 5. Urge all States members of the AU and the UN to fully cooperate with the International Criminal Court by arresting and handing over all persons accused of committing war crimes, crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing and genocide in Darfur. Done at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 23rd January 2013

8. Resolution on the Critical Situation of Women in Sudan and South Sudan We, the participants at the Civil Society Forum on Sudan and South Sudan held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 21st23rd January 2013, within the context of the 20th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government. Upholding the Constitutive Act of the African Union, the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Bill of Human Rights, the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, the Protocol on the Prevention and Suppression of Sexual Violence against Women and Children; Noting the provisions of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, adopted by the Fourth World Conference on Women, and their review conferences in 2005 and 2010, as well as action of the UN Security Council, notably Resolution 1325 on Women and Peace and Security adopted by the Council on 31 October 2000 and Resolutions 1820, 1888, and 1960 that called for an end to the use of brutal acts of sexual violence against women and girls as a tactic of war and an end to impunity of the perpetrators, and those Resolutions of the UN Human Rights Council on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women; Fully aware that regional and international human rights treaties on the protection of women's human rights incriminate and prohibit all kinds of discrimination on the basis of gender and guarantee that women and the girl child fully enjoy their rights and freedoms without discrimination on any ground such as sex, race, religious or cultural believes, national or social origin etc; Deeply concerned that women in Sudan face multiple forms of discrimination and violations of their fundamental rights and that such violations are consolidated by discriminatory laws, policies and practices including degrading corporal punishments as provided for in the Sudan Criminal Act of 1991 as well as the Public Order Acts enacted by different Sudanese states; Strongly condemn the systematic violations of women human rights in Sudan, particularly the assault against women pro-democracy activists, students and internally displaced women from Sudan's peripheral areas and that they are subjected to extrajudicial killings, torture and corporal punishment, arrest and detention without charges or trial, abduction for sexual enslavement; Abhorring that women in South Sudan face multiple forms of discrimination and violations of their fundamental rights, including widespread early and forced marriage, the absence of family law, limited womens political participation at all levels of government, and pervasive sexual and domestic violence; Further abhorring reports of gender-based sexual violence faced by women in both countries, including widespread rape and sexual violence against women and girls in Darfur such as the rape of female student at Al-Fasher University in North Darfur State, committed by security forces, in particular the Borders Guards and Central Reserve Police (Abutiraha), the Popular Defense Forces and government-sponsored tribal militia groups, during inter-tribal conflict in South Sudan women and girls are abducted. Sexual violence in internally displaced persons camps along the border areas in South Sudan is also prevalent;

Mindful that women and children victims of the armed conflicts in Sudan, including Darfur, Southern Kordofan and the Blue Nile States, and South Sudan represent the overwhelming majority of the internally displaced persons and refugees, and, as such, should be proportionately represented in the decision-making process; We call upon the 20th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government to: 1. Urge the Government of Sudan to uphold and implement the laws and agreements, already agreed to, on womens political participation, the prevention and response to gender-based violence, as well as those listed in the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights. 2. Encourage the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan to eliminate all kinds of discrimination against women, in law and in practice, and to this effect, they should also repeal all federal and state legislations that infringe upon women's rights and freedoms, particularly the Public Order Acts applied in Sudan. 3. Urge the Government of Sudan to put an immediate end to the violations of the rights of women pro-democracy activists and to release those currently held in government custody for political reasons as well as those held under parole. 4. Further urge the Government of Sudan to make public its findings on the killing of Ms. Awadia Agabana and bring to justice members of the security forces accused of her extra-judicial killing on 5 March 2012. 5. Condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the widespread rape and sexual violence committed by government security agents in Darfur and other areas affected by armed conflicts in Sudan and to invite relevant African Union institutions and United Nations agencies, funds and programmes, treaty bodies and civil society actors to place special emphasis on combating rape and sexual violence in Darfur. 6. Request the United Nations and African Union Hybrid operation in Darfur (UNAMID) and the UN agencies to intensify the work of the Protection Working Group (PWG) and to effectively prioritize its Integrated Strategic Framework (ISF) to combat the impunity with which the security forces commit rape and sexual violence and to protect and rehabilitate the victims. 7. Urge the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan to ratify and adhere, without delay, to the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa and the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. 8. Further urge the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan to ensure that women are included in key decision-making processes at all levels of local, regional, as well as at the national level. 9. Combat early and forced marriage practices in South Sudan by enacting family laws supported by advocacy as well as adequate training and education. 10. Request the Government of Sudan and South Sudan to give priority to the training of police officers on womens rights and response to gender-based violence,

increase the number of female police units and female peacekeepers in both Sudan and South Sudan, and improve the functionality of the Special Protection Units to protect women and girls in both countries. Done at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 23rd January 2013

9. Resolution on Civil Rights and Political Freedoms in Sudan We, the participants at the Civil Society Forum on Sudan and South Sudan held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 21st23rd January 2013, as civil society contribution to the 20th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government. Considering the provisions of the Constitutive Act of the African Union, the Charter of the United Nations as well as those of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights and other regional and international human rights instruments to which the Sudan is a state party and that Sudan is legally bound to fully and effectively implement the provisions of these instruments, and respect and promote the human rights and fundamental freedoms set therein without discrimination on any ground; Appreciating efforts made by the African Union and its treaty bodies, including those of the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights (Commission) to address the situation in Sudan and recalling in this regard previous resolutions adopted by the Commission on the situation in Sudan since its 35th Ordinary Session (May June 2004), and note the failure of the government of Sudan to implement the Commissions Concluding Observations and Recommendations on Sudan's Third Periodic Report as well as past decisions in which the Commission, inter alia, requested the government of Sudan to abolish corporal punishment; Welcoming regional and international efforts to combat impunity, to uphold fundamental right to justice of the victims of violations of human rights, international humanitarian and criminal law, to maintain durable peace in Sudan, including the decision of the International Criminal Court to hold accountable individuals accused of planning, executing, condoning or encouraging the commission of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide in Darfur; Alarmed by the deteriorating situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Sudan, in particular the reports of extra-judicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture and ill-treatment of political detainees, including students, youth leaders and prodemocracy activists and, the suppression of political dissidents and the right to hold public rallies and manifestations, arbitrary arrest and detention without judicial preview of political opponents, curtailment of the freedom of expression, freedom of the press and the media, freedom of association and the dismantling or suspension of independent civil society in the country; Strongly condemn reports of numerous incidents of ethnically motivated enforced disappearances committed in the regions affected by the armed conflict in Sudan as well as extrajudicial killings and assassinations of students at Al Gezira University and the killing of high school students in Nyala in South Darfur State; We call upon the 20th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government to: 1. Urge the government of Sudan to comply with its obligations under the AU Constitutive Act, the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, the UN Charter and all other regional and international human rights treaties and covenants to which Sudan is a state party. 2. Further urge the government of Sudan to cease all violations of human rights and

fundamental freedoms, including extra-judicial killings and political assassinations, torture and ill-treatment of detainees and safeguard the freedom of the press and media as well as the freedom of assembly and association. 3. Investigate all cases of extra-judicial killings, including the assassination and forced disappearances of 6 students at Al Gezira University in December 2012, the assassination of 12 school students in Nyala in July 2012 and the killing of Ms. Awaida Ajabna in Khartoum and bring those responsible for the commission of these crimes to justice. 4. Call on the government of Sudan to implement the decisions and recommendations adopted by the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, in particular to criminalize torture and all forms of violence against women, end corporal punishment, revise laws regarding press freedom, and repeal Article 22 of the National Security Act that confers on members of the security forces total immunity for the violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. 5. Call on the government of Sudan that all persons held in its custody for political reasons or in connection with the armed conflict in Darfur, Southern Kordofan and the Blue Nile States be brought before independent courts of law and be allowed unhindered access to family members, lawyers of their choice and to medical care. All persons held without legal ground or out of judicial preview should be released, without any further delay. 6. Urge the government of Sudan to stop all forms of harassments against independent civil society, to reverse its decisions to close NGOs and allow independent civil society and research institutes to work freely and without interference and to ensure the safety and security of their members and staff. 7. Further urge the government of Sudan to stop all types of harassments against Sudanese human rights defenders, to respect their rights as internationally recognized and allow them space to monitor, research and report on human rights situation in different parts of the country. 8. Call on the government of Sudan to respect the rights of political parties to organize public rallies and implement activities across the country without hindrance and to stop all forms of harassment of students due to their political affiliation and/or opposition to the government, real or imagined, particularly Darfur university students. 9. Urge the government of Sudan to fulfill its obligations in combating all forms of discriminating and racism and to fully implement the recommendations made by the AU High-Level Panel on Darfur on the dispensation of justice and to expand international coordination around apprehension of all individuals accused by the International Criminal Court (ICC) of committing war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide in Darfur. Done at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 23rd January 2013

10. Resolution on the Situation in Abyei Area We, the participants at the Civil Society Forum on Sudan and South Sudan held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 21st23rd January 2013, within the context of the 20th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government. Considering the provisions of the Constitutive Act of the African Union (AU), the Charter of the United Nations (UN) and that as state parties, Sudan and the Republic of Sudan are bound to fully and effectively uphold the provisions of these instruments and to respect the decisions and resolutions adopted by these two intergovernmental organizations; Deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation, insecurity and violence in Abyei as well as the reports of grave violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in this area, including indiscriminate military bombardment, displacement of civilian populations, looting of homes and destruction of property; Welcoming efforts of the AU to address the situation in Abyei and recalling in this regard Communiqu PSC/MIN/COMM/3. (CCCXIX) adopted by the AU Peace and Security Council on 24 April 2012, as endorsed by UNSC Resolution 2046/2012; and that it provided for a comprehensive approach which, inter alia, set out specific timetable for the governments of Sudan and South Sudan to reach a peaceful resolution to all the outstanding post-independence issues including the final status of Abyei; Fully convinced that lasting and sustainable peace and stability in Abyei necessitate comprehensive solutions through just and negotiated political settlement as proposed by the AU High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) on 21 September 2012, and that the AUHIP's proposal represents a fair, equitable and workable solution to the dispute between the two countries; and addresses the root causes of the conflict in the area while taking into account the needs and interests of the communities on the ground; and in this respect we commend the government of South Sudan for its cooperative attitude; We call upon the 20th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government to: 1. Endorse communique of 24th October 2012 adopted by the Peace and Security Council at its 339th meeting on the situation between Sudan and South Sudan, and in which the Council adopted the proposal submitted by the AUHIP on 21st September 2012. 2. Call upon the AUPSC to endorse the AUHIPs recommendations on the final status of Abyei area and to mobilize the international community to assist in safe and dignified return of IDPs and reconstruction and rehabilitation of Abyei area including the needs of the Arab nomads. 3. Endorse the Sudan New Dawn Charter as a basis for building national consensus for democratic transformation and national reconciliation in Sudan. Done at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 23rd January 2013

11. Resolution on Civil Society: Current Situation and Recommendations We the participants at the Civil Society Forum on Sudan and South Sudan held in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia 21st 23rd January 2013, as civil society contribution to the 20th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government. Welcoming the commitment and actions of local, regional and international Sudanfocused civil society organizations to peace building, democratic transformation, justice and the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan; Applaud the establishment of the Civil Society Forum on Sudan and South Sudan as an independent venue for dialogue on issues of peace, conflict prevention and democratic transformation in Sudan and South Sudan Acknowledging the efforts of civil society in Sudan and South Sudan in advocating and promoting a culture of peace, respect for human rights, the rule of law, good governance and democracy; Recognizing the importance of this Forum in providing the space for civil society to work together to achieve our common objective of promoting a culture of peace, tolerance, respect for human rights, the rule of law, good governance and democracy in Sudan and South Sudan; Deeply Concerned by the delay in the peace processes and political negotiations to resolve the post-cessation issues between Sudan and South Sudan and that the absence of an expeditious resolution of the outstanding questions represents a real threat to peace and good neighborhood between the two nations; Condemning the closure of independent civil society organizations in Sudan and the ongoing campaign of repression against pro-democracy activists as well as the deteriorating situation of human rights and the rule of law within both countries; We, hereby, commit ourselves as Sudanese and Sudan and South Sudan-focused regional and international civil society organizations to: 1. Harmonise our activities at the local, regional and international levels in order to exert pressure on the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan and other regional and international actors with a view to realizing lasting and durable peace in the two countries. To do this, we commit ourselves to the following: a. Celebrating a Sudan and South Sudan Solidarity Day; b. Supporting the Darfur 10th Year Commemoration; and c. The Arrest Omar Al-Bashir Campaign. 2. Coordinate our efforts and jointly organize public events, side meetings, seminars and other activities in order to build relationships with and influence members of the IGAD, African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights, AU Peace and Security Council and other AU organs like the Pan African Parliament, UN organs. This could include using momentum generated by the AUs 50th anniversary and Decade of Women to maximize our campaign.

3. Support each other and work effectively in order to be as strategic and to make as much impact as possible. This could include creating an online focal point, such as a common website or social media hub. 4. Make effective use of and support the Livingstone Formula to ensure that civil society is able to directly address and critically engage with policy-makers at the continental African level as well as at the international level. 5. Work together to support constitution building and transitional justice processes within both countries and to share solidarity and lessons learnt with other African nations emerging from similar circumstances. 6. Ensure all stakeholders within civil society are included in our joint work, including members of the youth movement. 7. Disseminate information on the situation within Sudan and South Sudan in a timely manner across our civil society community, to the regional and international media and to key policymakers. Done in Addis Ababa, 23rd January, 2013