As the armed conflict in Sudan marked its first anniversary, the UN human rights commissioner on Monday warned of "a further escalation in violence" in the country amid an increase in the number of armed groups joining the fighting.

"Civilians have already suffered immensely and with reports over the weekend of an imminent attack on El-Fasher, North Darfur, there is an alarming risk of further violations and abuses against civilians amid a still worsening humanitarian crisis across the country. The fighting must end," Volker Turk said in a statement.

He said that three armed groups have announced joining the conflict on the side of the Sudanese Armed Forces, and there are reports that both they and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces are now arming civilians.

Turk pointed out that the recent arrest warrants against leading civilian figures, including former Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok, on charges that "do not appear to be substantiated" also risk exacerbating the situation.

"To give a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict a chance, a contraction rather than an expansion in the number of armed actors is needed," he said.

The UN rights chief called on Sudanese authorities to immediately revoke the arrest warrants against Hamdok and other civilian leaders and prioritize confidence-building measures toward a cease-fire as "a first step.

Since fighting broke out on 15 April 2023, thousands of civilians have been killed, injured, forcibly disappeared, arbitrarily arrested and detained. There have also been reports of torture committed by both parties. Thousands of homes, schools, hospitals, and other essential civilian infrastructure have been destroyed, plunging the country into a severe humanitarian crisis, and creating the world’s largest displacement crisis.

“Over eight million people have been displaced from their homes, more than two million of them to neighbouring countries. Nearly 18 million people face acute food insecurity, 14 million of them children, and over 70 percent of hospitals are no longer functional amid a rise in infectious diseases. This catastrophic situation must not be allowed to continue,” said the High Commissioner.

Turk called on all parties to ensure humanitarian and human rights workers are allowed safe and unhindered access to all areas under their respective control.