Dozens of countries warn of atrocities amid escalation in Sudan’s el-Obeid

An international coalition of 32 countries has issued a grave warning at the United Nations Human Rights Council regarding the escalating conflict in Sudan, specifically highlighting the imminent risk of atrocities in the central city of el-Obeid. The statement, delivered by Norway, expressed deep concern that Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) could launch a significant assault, potentially endangering around 500,000 civilians.

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We ⁠⁠are gravely alarmed by the urgent risks of atrocities and deliberate killings in Sudan.

The coalition, which includes Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Sierra Leone, detailed recent escalations, noting that "ten consecutive days of drone strikes have killed at least 50 civilians across El Obeid and North Kordofan, and have caused significant damage to civilian infrastructure." The statement also condemned "widespread credible reports of ethnically targeted violence, including sexual and gender-based violence."

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Ten consecutive days of drone strikes have killed at least 50 civilians across El Obeid and North Kordofan, and have caused significant damage to civilian infrastructure.

El-Obeid, a major city and the capital of North Kordofan state, has become a focal point of the war that has already displaced nearly 14 million people. The conflict, primarily between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), has led to widespread displacement, ethnic violence, famine, and disease. The coalition urged all nations to exert maximum pressure on both warring factions to prevent further atrocities and ensure the protection of civilians, while also reiterating the critical need for unimpeded humanitarian access.

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Widespread credible reports of ethnically targeted violence, including sexual and gender-based violence, are deplorable.

Echoing these concerns, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk issued a stark warning, stating that an offensive on el-Obeid risked "potential violations of international law." He emphasized the suffering already endured by the city's residents under siege-like conditions for over 18 months. "We have seen this playbook before. We cannot allow the repeat of the preventable atrocities we documented in al-Fasher and Zamzam IDP camp in North Darfur last year," Turk stated, serving as a "stark warning to the world about an impending human rights disaster."

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We have seen this playbook before. We cannot allow the repeat of the preventable atrocities we documented in al-Fasher and Zamzam IDP camp in North Darfur last year.