- From 4 – 6 November 2023, DefendDefenders convened a strategic planning and well-being training for the Sudan Human Rights Defenders Coalition (SudanDefenders). The training included eight members of SudanDefenders’ Executive Committee elected in September 2023, and two members of the Board of Directors.
- Among others, the three-day meeting developed the coalition’s internal policy framework, adopted a work plan for 2024, and agreed on an official structure and composition for the coalition’s executive committee. The endorsed structure is as follows:
- Executive Director: Adam Musa
- Capacity Building Officer: Hadia hassaballah
- Protection Officer: Salwa Hassan
- Advocacy and Documenting Officers: Mohialdeen Ismail and Rabha Ismail
- Rapporteur and Finance Officer: Bedour Zakaria
- Membership Officer: Mohamed Musa
- Hassan Shire, the Executive Director and Chairperson of AfricanDefenders and Mrs. Tabitha Netuwa, Senior Manager; Protection and Security Management reiterated DefendDefenders’ support to SudanDefenders to achieve its mission in enhancing the protection of the Sudanese human rights defenders. Hassan also urged the participants to do their best to learn from previous experience, to ensure the coalition is strengthened to be able to achieve its founding goals.
- Adam Musa, the Executive Director of SudanDefenders expressed gratitude to DefendDefenders and AfricanDefenders for their steadfast support for SudanDefenders, particularly after the outbreak of the latest military conflict in Sudan, in April 2023. He also thanked the organization for hosting the coalition and committed that SudanDefenders would continue to work closely with DefendDefenders to provide protection for human rights defenders, especially those still in conflict areas inside Sudan.
- Majid Mali, DefendDefenders’ Sudan Project Coordinator, commended the dedication of the members of the Executive Committee towards the success of SudanDefenders, and reiterated DefendDefenders’ support towards the successful implementation of the 2024 action plan.
END OF YEAR MESSAGE 2024
Dear Colleagues and Friends, As we approach the end of