“It is truly shocking to see history repeating itself in Kordofan so soon after the horrific events in El Fasher,” he said.
“The international community was united then, unequivocally condemning the barbaric violations and destruction. We must not allow Kordofan to become another El Fasher.”
Deadly airstrikes, revenge killings
The RSF captured the town of Bara, in North Kordofan, on October 25. Since then, the UN human rights office, OHCHR recorded at least 269 civilian deaths due to airstrikes, artillery bombardments and summary executions.
However, civilian casualties are likely to be higher as reporting has been hampered by telecommunications and internet outages.
Cases of reprisal killings, arbitrary detentions, kidnappings, sexual violence and forced recruitment – particularly of children – have also been reported.
Many civilians have reportedly been arrested, accused of “collaborating” with opposing parties, Mr. Türk added, while fears grow over the use of hate speech and sowing discord.
The violence has also triggered mass displacement, with more than 45,000 people fleeing to safety within or outside the region.
The affected humanitarian response
Sudan Humanitarian Aid Teams issued a joint declaration which condemns in the strongest possible terms the escalation of violence in the Kordofan region and the ongoing sieges which have isolated several towns.
“Violence restricts access to food, medicine and essential supplies, and limits farmers’ access to their fields and markets, increasing the risk of spreading famine across the States of Kordofan,” he says.
Mr Türk noted that an RSF drone strike reportedly killed 45 people in El Obeid, North Kordofan, on November 3, while an SAF strike in Kauda, South Kordofan, on November 29 reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 48 people, most of them civilians.
Fears for Kadugli and Dilling
He warned that the towns of Kadugli and Dilling in Southern Kordofan are particularly at risk because they have been besieged by the RSF and an allied group, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM-N).
Humanitarians have reported that communities remain trapped, facing extreme hardship, severe restrictions on movement and limited access to essential services and protection.
Starvation conditions have also been identified in Kadugli and sustained attacks have been reported in Babanusa, West Kordofan, in recent days.
“We cannot stand idly by”
“We cannot remain silent in the face of yet another man-made disaster” said Mr. Türk, calling for an end to the fighting and access to people at risk of starvation.
“Have we not learned the lessons of the past? We cannot stand idly by and allow more Sudanese to fall victim to horrific human rights violations. We must act and
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