The Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan warned that the conflict was becoming more geographically extensive, technologically sophisticated and dangerous for civilians. “Thousands have been arrested by SAF security cells, detained and tortured in unofficial locations and in El Obeid Central Prison, kept under appalling conditions,” Mission Expert Mona Rishmawi said.
“These practices must stop immediately.”
The Mission’s latest Report found that RSF drone strikes had killed and injured civilians and damaged homes, schools, displacement centres and water and electricity systems in El Obeid.
The attacks may constitute war crimes.
Only about 30% of hospitals in the city remain operational following attacks, according to evidence received by investigators.
SAF-affiliated security units have meanwhile increased surveillance and targeted humanitarian workers, human rights defenders and peace activists.
El Obeid Central Prison reportedly holds about 2 000 detainees despite having capacity for approximately 450.
One former detainee described as many as 40 people being confined in a cell measuring about 2.5 metres by two metres.
The Mission is also investigating an October 19 drone attack on a market in Abyei that reportedly killed at least 80 people.
Reported Egyptian air strikes on gold-mining sites near the Sudan-Egypt border, which allegedly killed at least 72 miners, are also under investigation.
Mission Chair Mohamed Chande Othman said investigators had identified individuals and entities in Chad, Puntland in Somalia, southeastern Libya and the United Arab Emirates as part of a transnational network supporting the RSF.
However, investigators had not formally linked neighbouring governments to the network.
October recorded the highest number of drone attacks against civilians since the conflict began, Othman said.
Mission Expert Joy Ngozi Ezeilo called for the UN arms embargo, currently limited to Darfur, to be expanded across Sudan. “Sovereignty should not shield mass atrocity crimes, period,” Ezeilo said.
Marking one year since the RSF captured El Fasher, Ezeilo warned that accountability remained absent.
“The passage of time should not diminish attention to what has happened in El Fasher,” Ezeilo said. “On the contrary, it should remind us of the cost of impunity.”
–UN/ChannelAfrica–
