Sudan’s Emergency Lawyers warned Sunday of a “dangerous surge” in reports of missing children across territories controlled by the SAF junta, naming Port Sudan, Red Sea state, and other regions. The group called the trend a “serious threat to public safety” and a grave crime under Sudanese law and international human rights instruments, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
In a statement, the group said it documented more than 40 disappearances of minors in September in Red Sea, Gedaref, and River Nile states. It added that hundreds of complaints and appeals from families and residents underscore mounting public anxiety and the gravity of the situation.
According to Emergency Lawyers, available information suggests “recurring patterns of child targeting” amid inadequate security oversight in SAF-held zones, with possible involvement of “criminal networks or actors seeking exploitation, human trafficking, or the spread of social terror.”
The group sharply criticised Port Sudan SAF junta officials for “secrecy” and for failing to keep the public informed on investigative progress.
Given the escalation, Emergency Lawyers urged:
• Urgent, transparent investigations into all reports and accountability for any perpetrators.
• Tighter security inside neighbourhoods and at city entry/exit points and the port, including searches of suspicious vehicles.
• Psychological, social, and legal support for affected families.
They also called on civil society organisations, neighbourhood committees, and local leaders to take an active role in reporting and prevention through community monitoring and rapid local hotlines. National media were urged to “shine a responsible light” on the trend while avoiding rumours or details that could hinder investigations or endanger children.
Emergency Lawyers warned that negligence or silence by Port Sudan SAF junta officials “opens the door to grave abuses, including human trafficking, recruitment, and exploitation.” The group said it will continue monitoring and documentation, and provide legal aid to families to protect children and ensure accountability.
