UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk raised alarm over reports of a build-up of Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied troops around the city, alongside intensified drone strikes and artillery shelling. “The imminent offensive against El Obeid risks commission of serious international crimes,” Türk said.
Türk warned that the situation mirrors previous atrocities in other parts of Sudan. “We have seen this playbook before we cannot allow the repeat of the preventable atrocities,” Türk said.
Sudan has been engulfed in conflict since April 2023, when fighting broke out between the Sudanese Armed Forces and RSF, triggering one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the war has displaced more than 13 million people, with millions more pushed toward famine.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres, through a statement issued by his Spokesperson, also expressed concern about an “imminent ground offensive”. “Far too many times in this conflict, clear warnings have failed to trigger concerted action by the international community,” Guterres said.
Guterres urged urgent diplomatic intervention to prevent escalation. “The Secretary-General urges all those with influence to exert it to prevent further bloodshed,” Guterres said.
Recent weeks have seen dozens of drone strikes targeting key infrastructure in El Obeid, including fuel depots and transport routes, killing civilians and disrupting access to essential services.
Türk said the civilian population, already under siege-like conditions for more than 18 months, is at increased risk. “The States with influence have the duty to exercise it now to stop this madness,” Türk said.
The UN also stressed the importance of protecting humanitarian operations, as El Obeid serves as a key hub for aid delivery across the Kordofan region.
Guterres warned that aid efforts must not be disrupted. “Humanitarian workers and supplies must be able to move safely; humanitarian operations must be protected,” Guterres said.
Officials say the situation remains volatile, with fears that further escalation could deepen Sudan’s crisis and increase civilian suffering.
Türk issued a stark warning on accountability. “The world is watching, and those responsible for violations must be held accountable,” Türk said.
–UN/ChannelAfrica–
