Press release on the Joint Fact-Finding Mission on the situation of human rights in the Republic of the Sudan, carried out in the Republic of Chad.
The Joint Fact-Finding Mission on the Situation of Human Rights in the Republic of Sudan (Joint Mission) of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (the Commission) conducted a field mission in the Republic of Chad among Sudanese refugees from 19 to 23 January 2026.
The Mission was carried out within the framework of the mandate entrusted to the Commission, in collaboration with the African Union Commission, Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (DPAPS), pursuant to the decision of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union adopted at its 1218th meeting, held at the level of Heads of State and Government on 21 June 2024 in Addis Ababa (Communiqué PSC/HoSG/COMM.1218 (2024)), as well as Commission Resolution ACHPR/Res.590 (LXXX) 2024, as extended by Resolutions ACHPR/Res.609 (LXXXII) 2024 and ACHPR/Res.635 (LXXXIII) 2025. The Mission also falls within the framework of the Commission’s mandate to promote and protect human and peoples’ rights on the continent, pursuant to Article 45 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Charter).
The Joint Field Mission Delegation consisted of:
• The Honourable Commissioner Hatem Essaiem, Vice-President of the Commission, Chairperson of the Committee for the Prevention of Torture in Africa and Country Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Republic of the Sudan, Head of Delegation;
• The Honourable Commissioner Solomon Ayele Dersso, Chairperson of the Working Group on Extractive Industries, Environment and Human Rights Violations, and Focal Point on Transitional Justice and Human Rights in Conflict Situations in Africa;
• The Honourable Commissioner Litha Musyimi Ogana, Chairperson of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations/Communities and Minorities in Africa;
• The Honourable Commissioner Selma Sassi Safer, Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Internally Displaced Persons and Migrants in Africa; and
• Ms Seraphine Kando, Human Rights Specialist in the Directorate of Governance and Conflict Prevention (DPAPS).
The members of the Delegation were accompanied by Mr. Mohamed Youssef Sakr, Ms. Anita Bagona, Dr. Mohamed Djalel Benabdoun, Mr. Reginald Mere, Mr. Zelalem Taye, all officials of the Secretariat of the Commission.
The Delegation was mandated to establish the facts, including multiple allegations of serious and massive violations of human rights and international humanitarian law arising from the ongoing armed conflict in the Republic of the Sudan.
During the Mission, the Delegation was received by the highest authorities of the Republic of Chad, foremost among them the Prime Minister, Head of Government, H.E. Emb. ALLAMAYE Halina. The Delegation also met with the following ministers and representatives:
• H.E. Dr. Abdoulaye Sabre Fadoul, Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and Chadians Abroad;
• H.E. Dr. Youssouf Tom, Minister of Justice, Keeper of the Seals, in charge of Human Rights; as well as with the representative of the Ministry of Social Action, Solidarity and Humanitarian Affairs, and the representative of the Ministry of Public Security and Immigration.
The Delegation also met with the National Commission for the Reception and Reintegration of Refugees (CNARR). In addition, the Delegation had a working session with representatives of humanitarian agencies working in the field of refugees in Chad, including the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the World Food Programme (WFP) and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the Association for the Promotion of Fundamental Freedoms in Chad (APLFT).
The Delegation visited the spontaneous site of Adré and the established camps of Metche and Aboutengue in order to collect testimonies from Sudanese refugees, victims of various abuses, rights holders, and witnesses, which shed light on the human rights violations committed in the Sudan. They indicated that this is the first African Union delegation to visit them.
The Delegation also visited the Integrated Centre for Multisectoral Care of Victims of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) to meet with Sudanese refugee women victims of the ongoing armed conflict in Sudan.
At the conclusion of this field visit conducted in the Republic of Chad by the Joint Mission, the Delegation was able to collect information enabling it to complement its initial report, which had been prepared on the basis of virtual interviews conducted with the various stakeholders.
A detailed report of the Joint Mission, followed by recommendations will be submitted to the Peace and Security Council after its adoption by the Commission.
The Delegation expresses its gratitude to the Government of Chad for the authorization granted and the measures put in place to facilitate the successful conduct of the Mission. It further commends the Government for the reception of Sudanese refugees on its territory and appeals to the international community and humanitarian organizations to support the efforts of the Chadian authorities.
The Delegation also expresses its gratitude to H.E. Maria Jose Samba Ovono Obono Awanhet, Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission to Chad and Head of the AU Liaison Office in N’Djamena, for coordinating the preparations for the field mission.
The Delegation further expresses its appreciation to the United Nations agencies in Adré, namely UNHCR, WFP, and OCHA for the logistical support provided to the Mission.
Finally, it welcomes the spirit of cooperation and openness demonstrated by the refugees and all stakeholders met during the Mission.
Done in N’Djamena, on January 23, 2026.
