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Volker Türk spoke out on Thursday following reports a significant increase in Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia and allied forces around the cityaccompanied by drone strikes and intensive artillery shelling.
Sudan has been ravaged by war since April 2023, when fighting erupted between previously allied Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF, plunging one of Africa’s largest countries into a conflict that has become one of the world’s worst humanitarian emergencies.
According to the humanitarian affairs office, OchaThis war has displaced more than 13 million people and left millions more on the brink of famine, with humanitarian access severely limited in most countries.
The UN Secretary General called for international intervention
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres also issued a warning on Thursday through its spokesman, expressed concern over the possibility of an “imminent ground attack.”
“Too often in these conflicts, clear warnings have failed to trigger concerted action by the international community,” the statement continued.
“The Secretary-General urges all parties with influence over these parties to mobilize their efforts to prevent further bloodshed. We must not allow the horrors of El Fasher to be repeated in El Obeid.”
Drone attacks have multiplied
Dozens of drone strikes have hit El Obeid over the past two weeks, mainly targeting fuel stations and trucks, killing civilians and cutting off access to basic services.
“The imminent attack on El Obeid risks giving rise to a serious international crime and deepening the catastrophic impact on an already besieged civilian population,” Türk said.
“Countries with influence have an obligation to act now to stop this madness.”
Residents of El Obeid have experienced siege-like conditions for more than 18 months.
Repeat threat of massacre
Türk described similar atrocities documented in El Fasher and Zamzam refugee camps in North Darfur last year, and warned that the same pattern was now occurring in North Kordofan.
“We’ve seen this guidance before,” he said. “We cannot allow a repeat of preventable atrocities like those we documented at El Fasher and Zamzam [internally displaced persons] Refugee camps in North Darfur last year.”
The High Commissioner also urged all parties to ensure the safe movement of civilians who are repeatedly forced to flee violence in search of basic services.
Mr. Türk’s warning was unambiguous. “Let this be a stark warning to the world of the impending human rights catastrophe and worsening humanitarian situation,” he said. “The world is watching and those responsible for violations must be held accountable.”
Protect relief efforts
UN Secretary-General Guterres underlined that humanitarian agencies continue to provide assistance throughout the Kordofan region, “despite the deteriorating security situation”.
A humanitarian worker was among the civilians killed by drone strikes on residential neighborhoods in El Obeid over the past week.
“The Secretary-General emphasized that humanitarian workers and supplies must be able to move safely. Humanitarian operations must be protected and facilitated. El Obeid is an important hub for humanitarian response efforts in the wider Kordofan region.”
