UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk warned on Friday of the “grave consequences of the ongoing and escalating hostilities” in central and western Sudan, highlighting violent attacks that have caused civilian casualties.
In a statement, Türk said fighting across North Darfur and Kordofan, as well as the “serious risk of further escalation of this deadly and brutal conflict,” raises deep protection concerns in an environment marked by a culture of impunity for human rights violations.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that more than 16,000 people were displaced from areas in central, southern, and western Sudan in just one week.
Türk noted that on June 15, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched a new assault on the city of El Fasher after months of troop buildups, including child soldier recruitment throughout Darfur.
Civilians Trapped
In South Kordofan State, civilians remain trapped amid fighting between factions vying for control of the strategic town of Dilling, Türk said, adding that reports indicate the RSF is besieging El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan, which remains under the control of the army and allied groups.
He warned that the RSF “may launch an assault on El-Obeid in the coming days,” based on recent statements by RSF commanders.
Over the past two months, RSF forces have targeted several facilities in El-Obeid, including the city prison, two hospitals, and residential neighborhoods, resulting in dozens of civilian deaths.
Türk emphasized, “The world has witnessed for too long the indescribable horrors and suffering of the Sudanese people.”
He stressed that “civilians must be protected at all costs, and a full investigation must be conducted into the violations and crimes committed, with perpetrators held accountable.”
He also urged “all countries to use their influence to push for a lasting political solution, halt the flow of weapons into Sudan, and rein in the commercial interests fueling this conflict.”
Thousands of Refugees Stranded at Border
Thousands of refugees fleeing the war are stranded at the border with South Sudan due to a reduction in global humanitarian aid, which has halted their relocation to safer areas, the UN said Friday.
Global aid has faced severe disruptions following decisions by former U.S. President Donald Trump to cut or eliminate foreign assistance—Washington was previously the largest development aid donor. Several Western, particularly European, countries have also scaled back their support.
Due to “a lack of available funds,” the IOM announced that since June 1, it has been forced to suspend “boats, buses, and planes” used to relocate displaced Sudanese to safer areas in South Sudan, depending on accessibility and security levels.
IOM Director General Amy Pope stated, “It is unacceptable” that people fleeing war “are now stranded at the border with no way to reach safety or rebuild their lives.”
The organization warned that the situation has “increased pressure on host communities, escalated risks of tension and disease outbreaks, and further limited access to already scarce resources such as water, healthcare, land, and livelihoods.”
Since April 2023, Sudan has been embroiled in a civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths and the displacement of 10 million people internally and another 4 million externally.
Many displaced people have fled to neighboring South Sudan, which has struggled with instability since gaining independence in 2011.
The IOM expects an additional 125,000 people to arrive in South Sudan between July and the end of the year, with 43,000 needing transportation assistance. The agency has issued an emergency appeal for $6.5 million to resume these critical relocation services.
