The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has issued a stark warning regarding the potential for renewed atrocities in Sudan, particularly echoing the events that unfolded in El Fasher, Darfur. Türk highlighted the alarming reports of sexual violence being used as a weapon of war in the conflict-stricken nation.
During a press conference held in Port Sudan, Türk expressed grave concerns about the volatile situation in the Kordofan and Darfur regions. He emphasized the escalating military clashes, which have resulted in widespread destruction and the collapse of essential services, leaving the civilian population in a dire state.
Türk shared harrowing accounts he heard from displaced women and children at the Al-Affad camp in the Northern State. “Sexual violence is being used as a weapon of war,” he stated, adding, “We have increasing indications that this violence is widespread and systematic.”
The High Commissioner further revealed reports of “large-scale executions carried out by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) during the attack on El Fasher, motivated by revenge due to suspicions of affiliation with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) or allied joint forces.”
Türk called for accountability, demanding that perpetrators of these horrific violations be brought to justice. He affirmed the UN’s commitment to documenting these abuses and reporting them to pave the way for future justice mechanisms.
Expressing his profound concern over the “increasing militarization of society by all parties to the conflict,” Türk lamented the allocation of funds towards advanced weaponry instead of alleviating the suffering of the Sudanese people. He attributed the prolonged hostilities and the worsening crisis for civilians to the proliferation of advanced military equipment, particularly drones, which have bolstered the military capabilities of both the SAF and the RSF.
“I met with an engineer at the Merowe Dam and hydroelectric power station, which has been hit several times by drones launched by the RSF, the most recent being two weeks ago,” Türk stated. He condemned these “senseless attacks” for causing widespread disruption.
The UN Human Rights Chief stressed the urgent need for a cessation of hostilities and a renewed commitment to protecting civilians in Sudan. He urged all parties to prioritize dialogue and find a peaceful resolution to the conflict before further irreparable harm is inflicted on the Sudanese people.
