Traumatized civilians trapped inside El Fasher in Sudan’s North Darfur state are being prevented from leaving, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said on Friday.
The agency’s chief, Volker Türk, said in a statement that there were fears that atrocities, including summary executions, rape and ethnically motivated violence, were continuing inside the besieged city.
He said violence also persisted along the routes used by those attempting to flee, which had become scenes of “unimaginable cruelty.”
Türk also warned of escalating violence in neighbouring Kordofan, where civilian casualties, destruction and mass displacement have been rising. He said there had been no sign of de-escalation since the capture of El Fasher.
“To the contrary, developments on the ground indicate clear preparations for intensified hostilities, with everything that implies for its long-suffering people,” Türk said.
He urged those with influence over the warring parties to act swiftly and decisively to prevent further atrocities.
“The Security Council’s arms embargo is clear — the provision of continuing military support to sustain parties committing serious violations must stop,” he said.
“I repeat my plea for an immediate end to the violence both in Darfur and Kordofan. Bold and urgent action is required by the international community,” Türk added.
On Oct. 26, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) captured the city of El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, and committed massacres against civilians, according to local and international organizations.
Since April 15, 2023, the Sudanese army and the RSF have been locked in a war that regional and international mediations have failed to end. The conflict has killed thousands of people and displaced millions of others.