The agency has received reports of summary executions of civilians trying to escape El Fasher, the last Sudanese military government stronghold, with ethnic motivations suspected, and of unarmed former combatants, which is against humanitarian law.
“The risk of further large-scale, ethnically motivated violations and atrocities in El Fasher is mounting by the day,” warned UN human rights chief Volker Türk.
‘Urgent and concrete action’
“Urgent and concrete action needs to be taken to ensure the protection of civilians in El Fasher and safe passage for those trying to reach relative safety.”
The alarming reports come as the humanitarian situation in Sudan continues to deteriorate since the conflict outbreak in 2023. With more than 12 million people displaced or stateless and over 24 million hungry, Sudan’s crisis is one of the world’s most severe.
Hundreds have reportedly been detained while trying to flee, including a journalist, OHCHR said. Reports also indicate numerous civilian deaths, including local humanitarian volunteers, due to heavy artillery shelling last week.
‘External interference’
UN Secretary-General António Guterres told reporters in Southeast Asia on Monday that the development marked a “terrible escalation” in the conflict, stressing the need for the international community to condemn countries interfering and “providing weapons” to warring parties, urging a ceasefire.
Mr. Guterres noted that the problem is not only fighting between the army and RSF but also the growing “external interference” undermining prospects for a ceasefire and political solution.
Malnourished and traumatised
“Civilians escaping, fleeing El Fasher are often held for ransom along the road, with part controlled by militia,” said Denise Brown, UN humanitarian coordinator for Sudan, at Monday’s press briefing.
She said humanitarian organizations have been receiving adults and children who are “dehydrated, malnourished, some injured and all traumatised.”
According to reports received by OHCHR, five men were executed by RSF for attempting to bring food supplies into the city, under a blockade by RSF militia vying for power during a brutal civil war with the military for 18 months.
Ms. Brown said some of RSF’s victims were accused of supporting the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), with received information suggesting dozens of civilian deaths.
She highlighted that the dire funding situation, only 27 per cent of the ask, has hindered the UN’s response to the needs of people who are ‘traumatised, raped and starving.’
Humanitarian workers at risk
Nearly 130 aid workers have been killed since the conflict erupted in April 2023, with reports of volunteers killed in El Fasher, Ms.
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