Human Rights Council Names Tanzanian Shandi as Head of Fact-Finding Mission in Sudan

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The President of the Human Rights Council, Faklak Balek, appointed Mohamed Shandi Osman from Tanzania, Joy Ezeilo from Nigeria, and Mona Rashmawi from Jordan/Switzerland to the international independent mission tasked with fact-finding about the situation in Sudan. The Council named Mohamed Shandi Osman as the head of the mission.

Balek said in a statement on Monday that the missions tasks, which will operate for one year, include "collecting and analyzing evidence in light of any future legal actions, identifying individuals and entities responsible, providing recommendations to end impunity and ensure accountability, and ensuring victims access to justice."

The Human Rights Council had approved the formation of a fact-finding mission on the situation in Sudan for the purpose of "investigating and establishing the facts, circumstances, and root causes of all allegations of human rights violations, abuses, and violations of international humanitarian law, including those committed against refugees and related crimes in the context of the ongoing armed conflict that began on April 15, 2023, between the Sudanese armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces, in addition to other warring parties."

Mohamed Shandi, who previously served as the Chief Justice of Tanzania, has a rich history in fact-finding committees in several countries, including Rwanda. He previously worked as an independent expert for the Council on human rights in Sudan during the period 2009-2010.