African human rights body urges Sudan cooperation on alleged chemical weapons probe

What happened

Radio Dabanga reports that participants at the Forum on the Participation of NGOs in the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) held in Gambia have urged the Commission to adopt a resolution pushing Sudan to fully cooperate with international investigations into alleged chemical weapons use. The forum, concluding May 9, 2026, called for unrestricted access for the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and for Sudan to publish findings of its own national investigation promptly.

The central claim remains unconfirmed in the supplied material and should be treated as hearsay until corroborated by another reliable source or a named official. The participants referenced Sudan’s legal obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Chemical Weapons Convention, noting Sudan is bound to refrain from developing or using such weapons. They expressed concern over previous reports of chemical weapons use, including a 2025 diplomatic request for clarification from several African states and Sudan’s 2025 denial of these allegations through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This call for action comes amid ongoing scrutiny, including a French investigation that found evidence suggesting the Sudanese Armed Forces deployed chlorine gas during airstrikes on an oil refinery near Khartoum in 2024, linked to the conflict with the Rapid Support Forces. Experts cited by France 24 described the attacks as consistent with chlorine barrel bombs, which only the Sudanese Armed Forces could have deployed via aerial means. Human Rights Watch and earlier US accusations also align with claims of chemical weapons use by Sudan’s military.

Known from the source

• The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights held its 87th Ordinary Session in Banjul from May 7 to 9, 2026.
• Forum participants called on Sudan to cooperate fully with international investigations into alleged chemical weapons use, including allowing OPCW access.
• Sudan is legally bound by the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Chemical Weapons Convention.
• Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs categorically denied chemical weapons use in July 2025.
• A France 24 investigation alleged chlorine gas use by Sudanese Armed Forces in September 2024 airstrikes near Khartoum.

What remains unclear

The forum urges the ACHPR to welcome Sudan’s stated commitment to transparency while stressing the need for thorough, independent, and timely investigations by both national and international bodies. The participants emphasized full cooperation with the OPCW for on-the-ground access and technical deployment.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Has Sudan allowed recent OPCW missions on the ground following the forum’s call?. What are the latest publicly available results of the Sudanese national chemical weapons investigation?. Is there independent verification beyond the France 24 and Human Rights Watch reports confirming chemical weapons use?.

Evidence note

This story contains report-led claims. The article keeps those claims attributed and treats them as unconfirmed/hearsay unless independently corroborated.

Original source: Radio Dabanga. Open the source.