Ahead of the UN Human Rights Council’s 60^th session (HRC60, 8 Sep­tem­ber-8 October 2025), dozens of NGOs urge states to support a mandate extension for the Inde­pen­dent International Fact-Fin­ding Mission (FFM) for Sudan.

“In light of the serious violations of international law committed by all parties to the conflict […] and of the on­­going need to collect and preserve evidence and identify those responsible with a view to en­su­ring that they are held accountable,” they write in a joint letter released today, “the next Council resolution on Sudan should extend the FFM’s man­­date for at least two years.”  

In their call, the signatories highlight Sudan’s grave human rights and humanitarian situation. They draw states’ attention to the tens of thou­sands of civi­lians who have been killed and the 13 million who have been displaced, which makes Sudan the world’s largest dis­­pla­cement crisis. As of mid-June 2025, 30 million Sudanese needed lifesaving aid.

Twenty-eight months after the start of the conflict, on 15 April 2023, fighting continues unabated, with no signs of reprieve for civilians. The parties, namely the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their allied forces, continue to show utter disregard for inter­national law. Sexual violence is being committed systematically against the bodies of women and girls.

In its last update to the Council, in June 2025, the FFM described a “brutal, multifaceted and increasingly complex conflict” whose shifting dynamics include revenge killings and reprisals. Against this backdrop, and despite ongoing challenges related to the UN’s liquidity crisis and Sudanese authorities’ continued refusal to cooperate, the FFM has been able to carry out its work. It remains a critical international mechanism with the mandate, resources, expertise and expe­ri­ence to in­dependently investigate and report on violations committed throughout Sudan, and that prio­ri­tises accountability. As HRC60 approaches, as signatories to the letter write, “there is no other option for the Council but to extend the FFM’s mandate.”

In addition to a call for a two-year extension of the FFM’s mandate (to give investigators the time and stability they need to collect evidence and build case files on perpetrators), the signatories highlight a number of ways through which the Council can enhance international attention to Sudan. 

These include:

• Creating more participatory ways to shine a light on Sudan by providing for public debates on the country’s situation that include the participation of civil society, victims and survivors. This can be achieved through “enhanced” interactive dialogues at the Council’s future sessions.
• Recommending that the UN General Assembly submit the FFM’s reports to the Security Council for appropriate action. The latter can – and should: (i) Expand the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to cover the entire territory of Sudan (beyond Darfur); and (ii) Adopt targeted measures (including sanctions) against those most responsible for atrocities.