UN Human Rights Chief Calls for Greater Protection of Civilians in El Fasher

Geneva – Sudanhorizon – Agencies
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights announced on Thursday that more than 500 civilians have been killed in North Darfur State, Sudan, over the past three weeks. In a statement published on the UN’s website, Volker Türk said:
“The horror unfolding in Sudan knows no bounds.”
Türk pointed out that three days ago, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched coordinated attacks from multiple directions on El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, and the nearby Abu Shouk camp, resulting in the killing of at least 40 civilians.
He added that this brings the confirmed number of civilians killed in the region over the past three weeks to at least 542, although the actual death toll is likely much higher.
Türk continued:
“My fears are growing amid the ominous warning issued by the RSF of ‘bloodshed’ ahead of imminent clashes with the Sudanese Armed Forces and allied armed movements.”
He said he had personally warned the leadership of both the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces about the catastrophic human rights consequences of the war, noting that these consequences are a daily reality for millions of Sudanese people.
UN Calls for a Sudanese-led Political Path
Meanwhile, UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric stated Thursday in New York:
“We agree on the necessity of a comprehensive political path led by Sudanese actors to restore peace in the country and preserve Sudan’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.”
Guterres: Situation in North Darfur Catastrophic
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep distress over the worsening humanitarian catastrophe in North Darfur, where deadly attacks continue on the capital, El Fasher. He cited reports of hundreds of civilian deaths, including humanitarian workers.
In a statement attributed to his spokesperson, Guterres also expressed deep concern over reports of harassment, intimidation, and arbitrary detention of displaced people at checkpoints, noting that more than 400,000 people were forced to flee from Zamzam camp alone earlier this month.
Despite ongoing insecurity and severe funding shortages, the United Nations and its humanitarian partners are working urgently to scale up emergency support in the Tawila area of North Darfur, which now hosts the majority of those displaced from Zamzam.
Guterres emphasized that the scale of need is enormous, with reports of desperate people—mostly women and children—crossing into Chad in search of safety and aid.
He renewed his call for the protection of civilians in accordance with the clear obligations of all parties under international humanitarian law. He also stressed the need to hold perpetrators of serious violations accountable, urging the international community to act urgently to help end the ongoing suffering and destruction.
WFP: A Race Against Time
Sean Hughes, Regional Emergency Coordinator for the World Food Programme (WFP) in Sudan, said:
“We are in a race against time.”
He added:
“We are currently reaching four million people, but we need to scale that up to at least seven million in the coming months. To achieve this, we need more funding—otherwise, we will be forced to cut support at a time when it is most critically needed.”

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