The United Nations has recently voiced strong condemnation over the escalating violence and deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Sudan. The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) has raised alarms regarding the increasing civilian death toll as violence intensifies between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) across Khartoum and other regions. This condemnation comes amidst reports of both factions routinely violating the principles of international humanitarian law, disregarding the protections afforded to civilians and non-combatants. Further details on this can be found here.
The conflict has led to devastating consequences for civilians, exacerbated by continued looting of supplies and arbitrary detentions. In East Khartoum’s Imtedaad Nasir area, a deadly drone strike took place, resulting in the deaths of five women and injuring several others. A subsequent artillery shelling in Karari, north of Omdurman, compounded the crisis by claiming multiple lives and injuring more than 40 people, including children. The relentless targeting of residential areas has further deepened the sense of insecurity and hardship for the population. For more on the situation, consult the report here.
Outside Khartoum, the humanitarian situation in North Darfur has reached a catastrophic level with armed clashes around El Fasher displacing thousands. Many of the displaced have sought refuge at the Zamzam camp. However, checkpoints surrounding this camp have severely restricted access to essential supplies, complicating efforts by aid agencies to provide necessary assistance. Building on prior warnings, the UN had already alerted the international community to the threat of famine in North Darfur after aggressive RSF actions in the region. This ongoing crisis is further detailed here.
International humanitarian law mandates adherence to the principle of distinction, which obligates conflicting parties to differentiate between civilians and combatants. Deliberate targeting of civilians constitutes a potential war crime under the Rome Statute, emphasizing the need for stringent compliance by all parties involved in conflicts. The deteriorating conditions in Sudan have compelled the UN to issue further warnings about the worsening humanitarian crisis, which has forced a suspension of aid by the World Food Programme amid the intensifying violence. The African Union has described Sudan as facing among the most severe humanitarian crises globally. For ongoing updates and analyses, refer to the UN statements and reports here and here.