Why it matters:
Sudan has been engulfed in civil war since April 2023, when fighting broke out between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict has devastated much of the country, leaving millions displaced and pushing entire regions to the brink of famine.
The big picture:
Volker Turk warned that civilians trapped in El-Fasher, the last major city held by the army in North Darfur, face “grave danger” as the RSF tightens its siege.
He said there are “credible fears of further atrocities,” including summary executions, sexual violence, and ethnically targeted attacks.
The UN official noted that escape routes from the city have turned into “scenes of unspeakable brutality.”
In Kordofan, reports indicate rising civilian casualties, large-scale displacement, and destruction of infrastructure.
What he’s saying:
“The catastrophic violence in El-Fasher should serve as a wake-up call for the international community,” said Türk in a statement from Geneva.
“Continuing military support to any party in the conflict is a clear violation of the Security Council’s arms embargo and only fuels more bloodshed and destruction.”
“This situation requires bold and immediate international action to save civilians and end the cycle of human rights violations.”
Key points:
- Türk urged an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire in Darfur and Kordofan.
- He warned that international inaction could lead to another genocide in Africa.
- Rights observers say global powers have been slow to act, instead focusing on conflicts in Europe and West Asia.
Go deeper:
The UN estimates that nearly 10 million people have been displaced by the war, the world’s largest displacement crisis today.
Despite mounting evidence of war crimes, the UN Security Council has failed to enforce its own arms embargo due to divisions among Western and regional powers.
Mojtaba Darabi - ahmad shirzadian
