Khartoum: The United Nations has sounded the alarm over a potential surge of atrocities in Sudan as violence intensifies across the Kordofan region. Volker Turk, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, expressed grave concern over the rapidly deteriorating situation, urging immediate measures to protect civilians and aid personnel.
According to Turk, clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) have displaced more than 45,000 people over the past month. He emphasized the urgent need for safe passage for civilians, restoration of telecommunications, and protection for humanitarian workers navigating the conflict zones.
Since late October, following the RSF’s capture of Bara in North Kordofan, the U.N. rights office has documented at least 269 civilian deaths resulting from airstrikes, artillery fire, and summary executions. Turk cautioned that the actual death toll is likely far higher, as ongoing internet and phone outages have severely hampered the collection of accurate information.
The U.N. office has also received alarming reports of retaliatory killings, arbitrary detentions, abductions, sexual violence, and forced recruitment, including of children. Civilians have reportedly been detained on allegations of collaborating with opposing factions, while inflammatory rhetoric from armed groups is intensifying fears of further atrocities.
“It is truly shocking to see history repeating itself in Kordofan so soon after the horrific events in El Fasher,” Turk said. “We must not allow Kordofan to become another El Fasher.”
Deadly attacks have continued across the three Kordofan states. On November 3, an RSF drone strike targeted a mourning tent in El Obeid, reportedly killing 45 people, most of them women. Later, on November 29, an SAF airstrike in Kauda, South Kordofan, claimed at least 48 lives, predominantly civilians, according to U.N. reports.
As the conflict persists, the U.N. has called on all parties to immediately cease hostilities, ensure the protection of non-combatants, and allow humanitarian access to the most affected areas to prevent further escalation of human suffering.