Addressing the Human Rights Council in Geneva, a call for urgent action was made by the speaker to world leaders to halt the intense fighting that has triggered a severe humanitarian crisis in Sudan and beyond. The conflict that began in 2023 has been marked by mass atrocities against civilians.
Within a span of three weeks last month, 15 drone strikes were documented on El Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan, and its surrounding areas, resulting in the deaths of at least 45 civilians, as per Mr. Türk’s office.
Lethal autonomous weapons, launched by former allies, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the national army, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), have relentlessly targeted markets, schools, fuel stations, water infrastructure, and civilian vehicles, the High Commissioner stated, highlighting the prevailing terror in besieged El Obeid.
The situation has forced individuals to sell their possessions to fund their escape from the city. However, for many, the high cost of transportation and constant attacks on vehicles along exit routes have made leaving impossible. Reports have documented a range of abuses against displaced people in the Kordofan region, including summary executions, abductions, torture, sexual violence, and looting.
The High Commissioner's warning comes in the wake of past atrocities against civilians, such as the horrific events in the besieged North Darfur city of El Fasher last October, where 6,000 individuals were killed in a three-day period of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Furthermore, in April, RSF paramilitaries attacked and overran the nearby Zamzam camp, the largest camp for displaced people in North Darfur.
The urgency of the situation was emphasized by Mr. Türk to the Human Rights Council’s 47 Member States, stressing that the ongoing atrocities demand immediate attention from Heads of State and government worldwide. The call for action was echoed by the UN rights chief, urging the Security Council to fulfill its responsibilities in preventing atrocity crimes.
Accountability for the crimes committed was also emphasized, with support for the International Criminal Court (ICC) in seeking justice for the victims of Sudan's war. El Obeid, with over half a million residents and at least 100,000 internally displaced people, is facing increasing control by the RSF around its surrounding routes, except towards the East.
Residents have reported heightened military activities by the RSF around the city and escalating insecurity due to drone attacks along exit routes. Fear has become pervasive among the city's residents, as highlighted by Mona Rishmawi from the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan.
The UN International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported a significant rise in the number of newly displaced individuals across Kordofan in recent months, with forced displacement incidents occurring frequently, surpassing one major incident every two to three days.
Refaat Mohamed, IOM Chief of Mission, emphasized that civilians remain the primary targets in the conflict, with the aim of displacing them and taking control of cities. Urgent aid access is required for residents in El Obeid who have been inaccessible for two months, facing dire shortages of water and electricity.
Since the outbreak of conflict in 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, Sudan has been embroiled in war, resulting in over 13 million internal displacements and pushing millions more to the brink of famine. The humanitarian situation remains dire, with limited access across much of the country.
In a heartfelt and resolute message to fellow ambassadors, Sudan's representative in the council stated, "For your information I am from El Obeid; this wounded city, it will never fall, as long as we are alive," expressing determination in the face of adversity.
