Pushing Justice and Reparation in Darfur

By Ikhlass Ahmed, member of the Darfur Advocacy Group

The ongoing conflict in Sudan has left deep scars on the people of Darfur, where human rights violations and atrocities continue to devastate lives. As a member of the Darfur Advocacy Group (DAG), I have witnessed firsthand the pain and resilience of survivors.

Our work focuses on documenting these violations, advocating for justice, and ensuring that reparation becomes a reality for January 2025 those who have endured unimaginable suffering.

I recall meeting a 17-year-old survivor during one of our documentation efforts. She was raped during an attack on her home by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The trauma has left her physically and emotionally scarred, with no access to medical care or psychological support. Her family, displaced and living in a camp, struggles to meet basic needs. Her story is not unique and serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for justice and reparation. At DAG, we believe reparation is a cornerstone of justice.

Based on our detailed documentation of violations, we build evidence for accountability mechanisms. We work closely with survivors to amplify their voices, ensuring their needs are at the center of all reparation processes. This involves advocating for compensation, rehabilitation, and guarantees of non-repetition, such as disarming militias and rebuilding communities. We also engage in advocacy at international and regional platforms, sharing survivor stories and highlighting the systemic failures that allow impunity to persist.

Reparation, for me, is not just about addressing past harms; it’s about restoring dignity and building a future where survivors can live free from fear. Through DAG’s efforts, we aim to ensure that the voices of Darfur’s survivors are heard, their rights are upheld, and their healing is supported. Justice may be delayed, but we remain steadfast in our commitment to achieving it.

This article was first published in the Community Corner of our Just Reparation newsletter. These contributions are invaluable in enriching our collective understanding and fostering meaningful dialogue within the reparation community of practice. If you would like to be featured, we encourage you to submit your contributions to [email protected].