Geneva, 1 May 2025
The horror unfolding in Sudan
knows no bounds. Just three days ago, the Rapid Support
Forces (RSF) launched coordinated attacks from multiple
directions on the besieged city of El Fasher and Abu Shouk
camp, killing at least 40 civilians. This brings the
confirmed number of civilians killed in North Darfur to at
least 542 in just the last three weeks. The actual death
toll is likely much higher.
My fears are all the
greater given the ominous warning by the RSF of
“bloodshed” ahead of imminent battles with the Sudanese
Armed Forces (SAF) and their associated armed movements.
Everything must be done to protect civilians trapped amid
dire conditions in and around El Fasher.
Reports of
extrajudicial executions in Khartoum state are also
extremely disturbing. Horrific videos circulating on social
media show at least 30 men in civilian clothing being
rounded up and executed by armed men in RSF uniforms in Al
Salha in southern Omdurman. In a subsequent video, an RSF
field commander acknowledged the killings. This follows
further shocking reports in recent weeks of the
extrajudicial execution of dozens of people accused of
collaborating with the RSF in southern Khartoum, allegedly
committed by the Al Baraa Brigade. Deliberately taking the
life of a civilian or anyone no longer directly taking part
in hostilities is a war crime.
I have personally
alerted both leaders of the RSF and SAF to the catastrophic
human rights consequences of this war. These harrowing
consequences are a daily, lived reality for millions of
Sudanese. It is well past time for this conflict to
stop.
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