UN rights chief demands ceasefire in Sudan
UN Human Rights Commissioner Volker Türk called for an immediate ceasefire and end to foreign involvement in Sudan's war, as a new report details attacks
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has called for an immediate end to the war in Sudan. He made the appeal at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Monday, highlighting attacks on civilians in markets, hospitals, and fuel stations.
Now in its fourth year, the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has displaced over six million people internally. Another 4.5 million have fled across Sudan's borders. Türk warned that civilians in regions like Kordofan, Blue Nile, and Darfur face imminent risk.
Ceasefire and foreign involvement
Volker Türk insisted on an immediate ceasefire and a halt to foreign involvement in the conflict. He also demanded a return to inclusive civilian rule. His statement followed the publication of a new report by independent investigators appointed by the Human Rights Council.
The investigators are not UN staff and are unpaid. Their report alleges that individuals and entities in the United Arab Emirates, Chad, southeastern Libya, and Puntland in Somalia have provided significant support to paramilitary rebel fighters.
Drone attacks on civilians
The report details the increasing use of long-range drones by both warring parties. Mohamed Othman, chair of the Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan, said these weapons allow attacks to reach far beyond traditional front lines.
Drone strikes have killed and injured civilians in homes, schools, and hospitals. They have also hit people at weddings, funerals, and community gatherings. In El Obeid city, repeated RSF drone attacks have damaged water, energy, and other vital civilian infrastructure.
Othman said the city is under partial siege, putting acute pressure on already strained essential services. The mission's report lists specific attacks believed to have caused mass casualties.
| Attacking Force | Target Location | Reported Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| RSF | Kindergarten and hospital in Kalogie, South Kordofan | 114, including 60 children |
| SAF | Ad-Da'ein Teaching Hospital | At least 70 people |
Based on gathered evidence, the mission found reasonable grounds to believe both the SAF and RSF committed serious violations. These violations of human rights and international humanitarian law may amount to war crimes.
Healthcare system devastation
The UN World Health Organization provided a separate update from Khartoum on Monday. It reported that the devastation seen in three key capital hospitals has been repeated nationwide.
Khartoum Teaching Hospital, the Ophthalmology Hospital, and the Dental Hospital were major referral and teaching centers before the war. Now, their buildings and medical equipment have sustained extensive damage.
WHO Representative in Sudan, Dr. Abdinasir Abubakar, described operating theatres destroyed and imaging equipment lost. Several wards have collapsed. Entire blocks and departments are out of service, requiring urgent structural repair before patients can be safely admitted.
Despite the conditions, hospital staff remain present to treat patients in the parts of buildings that are still usable. Dr. Abubakar appealed for assistance to repair what he called immense damage.
