Sudan: The window of opportunity is closing to prevent a wider escalation in El Obeid

Deputy Secretary General for Political and Peacekeeping Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo given direction That Security Council about the latest developments in the ongoing war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and its former ally, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), now entering its fourth year.

Over the past two weeks, drone attacks carried out by these parties have increased significantly in El Obeid, while the RSF has expanded their presence in and around the city.

Please restrain yourself

He remembered that UN Human Rights Chair Volker Türk issued a stern warning that the attacks would lead to an “impending human rights catastrophe”.

An escalation would put hundreds of thousands of civilians at risk of large-scale violence, he said, adding that full-scale fighting would trigger new displacement into already overwhelmed areas.

“Once again, we call on all parties to exercise restraint and urge them to take all necessary measures to respect and protect civilians,” he said.

“The window to prevent a wider escalation in El Obeid is narrowing.”

Fight in another region

Apart from El Obeid, conflict continues on various fronts.

The wider Kordofan region remains the epicenter, with fighting escalating around Dilling, Kadugli and Babanusa as the two sides fight over strategic territory. Recent drone attacks on bridges and transport corridors in Darfur and Kordofan have disrupted humanitarian routes and isolated communities.

The security situation also remains volatile in White Nile and Blue Nile states with clashes continuing in the Kurmuk, Geissan and Bau areas. Meanwhile, fatalities are increasing.

Drone use, external interference, and regional tensions

“The increasing use of drones makes conflicts less predictable, more geographically dispersed, and more deadly for civilians,” DiCarlo said.

While the rainy season usually reduces fighting, continued drone activity means civilians will have no respite.

“The parties involved cannot maintain the pace of this battle without the advanced weaponry they have acquired through external support,” he continued, calling once again on all external actors “to use their influence to help end this war, rather than become involved in it.”

This war occurred amid increasing tensions between Sudan and neighboring countries.

DiCarlo recalled that tensions escalated between Sudan and Ethiopia in May following accusations of interference in each country’s internal security situation. Relations with Chad also remain tense following clashes earlier this year and continued instability on the two countries’ borders.

“This tension risks becoming a driver for further escalation, thus attracting neighboring countries to become directly involved in the conflict,” he said.

Engagement and consultation

The UN continues to support efforts to reduce violence, including through the initiative of the “Quad” group – consisting of the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt – to ensure a humanitarian ceasefire, and urges the parties to negotiate in good faith.

He emphasized that efforts to achieve a permanent ceasefire must go hand in hand with progress on a sustainable political solution.

At the heart of the effort is a strong partnership among the Quintet – consisting of the African Union (AU), the European Union (EU), the East African bloc IGAD, the League of Arab States and the UN.

Quintet recently held consultations in Addis Ababa with many Sudanese civilians. Although participants expressed varying views on how future electoral processes should be conducted, they supported the urgent need for a Sudanese-owned and led political dialogue facilitated by Quintet.

Meanwhile, the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy to Sudan, Pekka Haavisto, has been engaging with parties and other actors to encourage restraint and help prevent escalation around El Obeid and elsewhere in the country.

Young lives are in danger

Hannan Sulieman, Deputy Executive Director of the UN children’s rights agency UNICEFAlso given direction Board. He said Sudan was still the country with the biggest humanitarian crisis in the world and it was children who were bearing the brunt of the conflict.

Addressing the escalation in El Obeid, he noted that some 500,000 civilians were at risk and “children were in danger of being killed, injured, displaced or exposed to other serious violations.”

He warned that this situation had happened before, referring to the crisis in El Fasher last year, and “we must not allow history to repeat itself.”

Children are caught in the crossfire

Suleiman said the violence faced by children in Sudan does not only occur on the battlefield.

The UN has verified more than 5,700 serious violations against children since the war began and more than 5,000 people were killed or maimed, although the true figure is probably much higher.

“Children are killed in their homes. They are injured while fleeing violence. They are caught in the crossfire, shelling, drone attacks and attacks using explosive weapons in densely populated areas,” he said.

“During the first four months of this year alone, nearly 80 percent of reported child casualties were related to drone strikes.”

Ms Suleiman made four requests to the Council:

First: Immediate action to prevent further escalation, particularly in and around El Obeid

Second: All parties must protect children and the civil infrastructure on which they depend

Third: Schools, hospitals, clean water systems and humanitarian assets should not be targeted.

Four: Help create conditions for peace by asking all parties to engage with UN envoys.

“Sudanese children cannot survive just by expressing concern,” he said.

“They have lost more than three years of their childhood and cannot afford to lose another year.”