Sudan

Armed conflicts in several Sudanese states continue with devastating effects on civilians, particularly in Darfur, Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile states. These conflicts have been characterized by unnecessary and avoidable civilian deaths and injuries; sexual violence against women and girls; unlawful destruction of civilian property, and have forced hundreds of thousands of civilians to flee their homes. In the capital and other main towns, Sudanese security forces have repeatedly and violently suppressed protesters demonstrating against government policies, killing more than 170 people in September 2013.  Authorities regularly detain political activists, suppress civil society groups, and censor the media.  President Omar al-Bashir, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for crimes in Darfur, was re-elected in 2015 in a poll that did not meet standards for free and fair elections.