The United Nations Human Rights Chief has issued an urgent warning regarding imminent atrocities near El-Obeid, a city in Sudan where clashes between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are intensifying. In a statement, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk called for the protection of civilians and an immediate cessation of hostilities, urging, “Stop this madness.”
Türk highlighted that the RSF’s advance towards El-Obeid significantly increases the risk of large-scale violence against civilians. He emphasized that the city serves as a refuge for thousands of civilians seeking to escape the conflict, appealing to the international community to take the situation seriously and intervene.
UN officials have expressed growing concern over the escalating impact of the fighting on civilians. Given El-Obeid’s strategic location and its civilian population, there are warnings that a potential conflict could lead to a humanitarian catastrophe.
Volker Türk called on all parties to respect international humanitarian law and refrain from targeting civilians. He also stressed the importance of ensuring humanitarian access to the region and reaching those in need of assistance.
