UN rights chief says killing of hundreds in Sudan shows 'stark' cost of international inaction

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) - The UN human rights chief on Monday drew attention to the recent deadly attacks by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan's North Darfur, saying they underline the international community’s failure to act despite repeated warnings.

Large-scale assaults on the Zamzam and Abu Shouk camps for internally displaced people, the town of El Fasher, and the Um Kadada locality have killed hundreds of civilians, including at least nine humanitarian workers, Volker Turk said in a statement.

"These attacks have made starkly clear the cost of inaction by the international community, despite my repeated warnings of heightened risk for civilians in the area – including last Friday," Turk said.

The violence has worsened the already catastrophic situation in El Fasher, which has endured a prolonged RSF siege since May 2023, he said.

He also raised concern over the growing risk of ethnically motivated violence against civilians perceived to be aligned with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).

The human rights chief reminded the RSF of its obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians and allow safe passage out of conflict areas.

"Victims have the right to truth, justice and reparations," Turk said.

As the conflict in Sudan enters its third year, he called on all parties and those with influence over them to take concrete steps to resolve the crisis.

The RSF began its latest offensive on El Fasher on May 10, 2024, despite international warnings over renewed violence in the city, which serves as a vital humanitarian hub for all five states in Darfur.

Since April 15, 2023, the RSF has been battling the Sudanese army for control of the country, resulting in thousands of deaths and one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.