WASHINGTON, DC — A report published by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has described the ongoing fighting in Sudan as a flagrant violation of international law, as the death toll continues to rise across the African nation.
Following an investigation, the report — released yesterday (Dec. 18) — called for an “impartial, thorough and effective investigation” into the April attack on the Zamzam internally displaced persons (IDP) camp.
According to the findings, at least 1,013 civilians were killed during the offensive carried out between April 11 and 13. The OHCHR described the attack as part of “a consistent pattern of serious violations of international humanitarian law and gross abuses of international human rights law.”
The report detailed widespread killings, rape, torture and abductions, noting that these acts were committed over a three-day assault by the Rapid Support Forces on the Zamzam camp.
Speaking during a press conference at United Nations Headquarters in New York, it was highlighted that the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, called for those responsible for the atrocities to be “held accountable through fair proceedings.”
“Meanwhile, we and our partners in Tawila continue to support people displaced from the state capital, El Fasher, and surrounding areas, as well as the Zamzam displacement camp, but needs remain overwhelming, resources are scarce and insecurity continues to hamper the response,” Türk said.
Civil war erupted in Sudan in 2023 after a fragile civilian-led government assumed power. Fighting broke out between the country’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. Media reports indicate that more than 12 million people have fled various parts of the country, while over 150,000 have been killed or subjected to violence.
During the same press conference, Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, warned of worsening conditions in the Kordofan region, where humanitarian officials are expressing deep concern over escalating drone attacks and shelling that continue to harm civilians and drive new displacement.
“In South Kordofan State, multiple drone strikes and shelling have reportedly hit civilian areas in recent days, including the town of Dilling and the state capital, Kadugli,” Haq said. “The violence has forced families to flee Dilling on foot towards Kadugli, along routes where landmines and other dangers have been reported. The journey is especially perilous for the most vulnerable — including children, pregnant and lactating women, and older people.”
Between October and December, the United Nations reported that more than 50,000 people were displaced across the Kordofan region due to heightened insecurity.
In South Kordofan alone, UN agencies say more than 1,900 people have arrived in the locality of Abu Jubeihah over the past three days. Meanwhile, in North Darfur State, local sources reported that recent drone strikes caused civilian casualties and further displacement in the localities of Kutum, Melit, Um Baro, Tina and Saraf Omra.
“The impact of drone attacks is also being felt beyond front-line areas in Sudan,” Haq added. “In the early hours of today, drone strikes on power stations in Atbara, in River Nile State, triggered widespread blackouts — disrupting electricity supplies across multiple towns.”
The international community continues to closely monitor the crisis, as the United Nations’ appeal to raise US$4.2 billion for humanitarian assistance remains severely underfunded. To date, only US$1.5 billion — approximately 36 percent of the target — has been received.
