The United Nations Security Council has warned of an “imminent risk of mass atrocities” in Sudan and urged the Rapid Support Forces to halt its offensive on the besieged city of El Obeid in North Kordofan State.
In a statement on Saturday, Council members expressed “grave concern” over the escalating violence and demanded an immediate cessation of hostilities, calling on all parties to the conflict to stop fighting and protect civilians.
“The members of the Security Council expressed concern about the imminent risk of mass atrocities and demanded the RSF immediately halt its assault on El Obeid,” the statement said.
El Obeid, a strategic hub in Sudan’s Kordofan region, has been under siege for several months as clashes continue between the army and the RSF, who have been at war since April 2023.
The warning comes amid fears of a repeat of atrocities in El Fasher, where an October 2024 offensive was described by UN officials as bearing “hallmarks of genocide.”
Separately, the UN said its envoy for Sudan, Pekka Haavisto, held a call with RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, urging him not to proceed with any assault on the city.
UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said Haavisto stressed the need for urgent de-escalation in El Obeid, warning that further military action could worsen an already dire humanitarian situation and endanger civilian lives.
He said humanitarian agencies were preparing for possible large-scale displacement from the city, adding that teams were “getting ready for the worst while hoping for the best.”
Dujarric also said Haavisto had engaged regional and international actors with influence over the warring parties, urging them to push for dialogue and prevent further escalation. The conflict in Sudan, which erupted in April 2023, has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced more than 11 million, creating what the UN describes as the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.
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