GENEVA - 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.
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."
