UN warns of escalating crisis in Sudan as violence spreads

Sudan: UN warns of the effects of deterioration Keystone-SDA

The United Nations (UN) has warned of the devastating impact of escalating violence in Sudan’s North Darfur and Kordofan regions. Speaking in Geneva on Friday, UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk urged all sides in the conflict to protect civilians.

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On Sunday, paramilitaries from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched an assault on El-Fasher following a prolonged siege. The attack echoes a similar offensive in April on a camp for displaced people, which left hundreds of civilians dead and was followed by reports of sexual violence.

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In South Kordofan, civilians remain trapped as fighting continues between the army and the RSF over control of the town of al-Debibat. A fresh attack is also feared in a town in North Kordofan. According to the UN Human Rights Office, there have been reports of civilian casualties, kidnappings and looting.

“We know exactly where a further escalation of this conflict will lead,” said Türk. He urged all sides to protect civilians at “any cost”, including by allowing them to leave towns caught up in the fighting.

He once again urged influential states to press the warring parties to respect international humanitarian law and work towards a political solution. He also called on countries to stop supplying arms to Sudan.

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More than two years into the conflict, tens of thousands of people have been killed, including at least 4,300 civilians last year, according to the UN. Some regions are now on the brink of famine.

Nearly 13 million people have been displaced, with over four million forced to flee the country. In total, 25 million people are facing severe hunger and 40% of the population urgently needs medical assistance. Tens of millions are in desperate need of humanitarian aid.

Translated from French with DeepL/sp

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