Thu May 01 11:53:05 UTC 2025: **UN Warns of Catastrophic Human Rights Situation in Sudan as Civilians Trapped in El-Fasher**
Khartoum, Sudan – The United Nations has issued a stark warning about the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Sudan, particularly in the Darfur region, where escalating violence has left hundreds dead and thousands displaced. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, stated that over 540 civilians have been killed in North Darfur in the past three weeks alone, a figure he believes to be a significant underestimation.
The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continues to rage, with el-Fasher, the regional capital, and nearby refugee camps becoming key battlegrounds. Recent RSF attacks on el-Fasher and the camps of Zamzam and Abu Shouk have forced hundreds of thousands to flee towards Tawila. Mr. Turk described civilians trapped in and around el-Fasher as facing “dire conditions.” The RSF’s warning of further “bloodshed” ahead of anticipated battles further exacerbates the concerns.
The crisis extends beyond Darfur. The RSF shelled the presidential palace in Khartoum on Thursday, the second such attack in a week. Mr. Turk also highlighted disturbing reports of extrajudicial killings in Khartoum state and Omdurman, citing videos showing alleged RSF members executing civilians. Similarly, reports indicate pro-SAF forces have also committed extrajudicial killings.
The fighting has split Sudan, with the SAF holding the north and east, while the RSF controls much of Darfur and parts of the south. The strategic city of al-Nuhud in West Kordofan, a gateway to Darfur, is now a focal point, with both sides vying for control. The UN has urged both SAF leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Daglo to end the conflict, citing its devastating impact on human rights. The UN describes the situation as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.
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