GENEVA (18 June 2026)
Following reports of a
significant troop build-up by the Rapid Support Forces and
allied forces around El Obeid, as well as intensified drone
strikes and artillery shelling, UN High Commissioner for
Human Rights Volker Türk on Thursday issued a stark warning
that an imminent offensive risked fresh commission of
serious international crimes and deepening the catastrophic
impact on an already beleaguered civilian
population.
El Obeid is the capital of North Kordofan
state in Sudan, and its inhabitants have been strangled by
siege-like conditions for more than 18 months.
“We
have seen this playbook before. We know where it led then,
and cannot now allow a repeat of the preventable atrocities
we documented in El Fasher and Zamzam IDP camp in North
Darfur last year. Civilians are at grave risk in Kordofan,
particularly in El Obeid, in the absence of action to halt
the imminent offensive and further military escalation,”
the High Commissioner said.
“Let this be a stark
warning to the world of an impending human rights disaster
and worsening humanitarian situation. The States with
influence have the duty to exercise it now to stop this
madness in its tracks.”
Given the patterns of
serious violations of international law documented by the UN
Human Rights Office during RSF offensives on El Fasher and
Zamzam IDP camp last year, the risk of summary executions,
abduction, arbitrary detention and other violence against
civilians is high, and must be prevented, the High
Commissioner added.
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The ever-increasing use of drones
to conduct airstrikes is having a further devastating impact
on civilians and civilian infrastructure in Kordofan. Over
the past two weeks, there have been dozens of drone strikes
on El Obeid, particularly targeting fuel stations and
trucks, and leading to loss of civilian lives. This has had
a serious impact on civilian access to basic
services.
The High Commissioner also urged parties to
the conflict to ensure the safe movement of civilians who
have been repeatedly forced to flee violence, and in search
of basic services.
“The people of Sudan need peace
– urgent measures must be taken to protect civilians and
prevent further atrocities, including sexual violence, as
well as further displacement and civilian suffering,”
Türk said.
“The world is watching, and those
responsible for violations must be held
accountable.”
