Red Cross: We continue our 'confidential dialogue' with parties in Sudan to visit detainees

Amsterdam: Thursday, October 15, 2026: Radio Dabanga Report: Suleiman Saree. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Sudan announced that it continues its efforts to visit detainees despite limited access to detention centers, which prevents it from conducting its activities sustainably with persons deprived of their liberty. It also confirmed that, as a neutral, impartial, and independent humanitarian organization, it works in close partnership with the Sudanese Red Crescent Society. The committee's official spokesperson, Farid Al-Humaydi, told 'Radio Dabanga' that visiting persons deprived of their liberty is one of the ICRC's core activities. He acknowledged that access to detention centers in Sudan is currently extremely limited, preventing them from carrying out their usual activities in a sustainable manner. However, they continue their confidential dialogue with all parties involved in hostilities, seeking to ensure access to detention facilities, improve detention conditions, ensure humane treatment for detainees, and enable them to contact their families. He added: 'To maintain access and achieve concrete improvements, we do not comment publicly on the content of these discussions or on the conditions of specific detention facilities.' The ICRC spokesperson in Sudan stressed that they maintain a confidential bilateral dialogue with all parties involved in hostilities, adding that communication with any of these parties is an essential operational necessity to enable them to carry out their humanitarian mandate, and in no way constitutes political recognition or endorsement. On October 8, a training workshop held by the ICRC in Sudan for elements of the Rapid Support Forces on international humanitarian law concluded in Central Darfur. In this regard, Al-Humaydi said that they hold awareness sessions on international humanitarian law with all parties involved in hostilities (an approach followed globally) to promote respect for rules that protect civilians, persons no longer participating in hostilities, and civilian objects. He continued: 'In accordance with our usual practice, we do not publicly disclose the frequency of these sessions or their internal metrics.' Continuous Assessment. Regarding the extent of continuous evaluation of these workshops' impact and their reflections on the parties in the field, Al-Humaydi confirmed that they do not act as a general oversight body, nor do they establish joint general assessment mechanisms. Instead, they address humanitarian concerns through a confidential and ongoing bilateral dialogue with the relevant parties involved in hostilities, by reminding them of their responsibilities under international humanitarian law, including respecting the rules governing the conduct of hostilities. He pointed out that international humanitarian law prohibits sexual violence and the recruitment of children under all circumstances, and that the ICRC and the Sudanese Red Crescent Society work to facilitate survivors' access to life-saving medical care and psychosocial support, prioritizing an approach that considers the needs and circumstances of survivors. Al-Humaydi said: 'To protect the safety, dignity, and privacy of the people we assist, we do not publish statistics on alleged violations, nor do we publicly attribute specific cases to any party. Instead, we address humanitarian concerns directly and confidentially with the relevant parties, with the aim of preventing violations and strengthening the protection of people affected by armed conflict.' He revealed that they provide material aid and psychological support to survivors, stating that they hold awareness sessions with military personnel about their responsibilities in preventing these types of violence within the framework of workshops and seminars organized by the committee on international humanitarian law. He continued: 'We also work to address the social stigma faced by survivors. In short, our efforts focus on reducing sexual violence and child recruitment in combat activities, and responding to their effects.' The ICRC spokesperson in Sudan concluded by saying that much suffering could be avoided if international humanitarian law were respected as required, adding: 'Our priority remains providing life-saving assistance and promoting respect for this law, which contributes to protecting civilians and preserving the foundations for future recovery.'