UN Human Rights Chief Witnesses Sudan Crisis and Recovery Efforts

Following a five-day mission to Sudan, UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk briefed journalists in Nairobi, describing the situation as “a chronicle of cruelty unfolding before our very eyes.” He urged all actors with influence, including regional powers and those profiting from the conflict, to take immediate action to end the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Mr. Türk noted that while the conflict has plunged Sudan into an unprecedented crisis affecting the entire nation, the spirit of the Sudanese people, particularly young people and women who led the 2018 revolution, remains unbroken. He bore witness to both the trauma inflicted on civilians and the resilience and courage displayed by communities, including young volunteers delivering humanitarian aid under extreme risk. The rights chief highlighted the deliberate attacks on critical civilian infrastructure, such as the Merowe dam and hydroelectric power station, which supplies the majority of the country’s electricity. Such attacks, including drone strikes by the RSF, violate international law and may constitute war crimes. He called on both warring parties to cease attacks on essential civilian objects, including markets, health facilities, schools, and shelters. Mr. Türk visited displaced people from El Fasher in North Darfur, now living in the Al Afad camp, and recounted harrowing personal stories of trauma, loss, and grief, including children injured by bombardments and women victimized by sexual violence. He emphasized that women and girls’ bodies are being weaponized as a systematic strategy of war, and that summary executions and other serious human rights abuses have been perpetrated by all parties to the conflict. He warned that atrocity crimes witnessed in El Fasher could be repeated in the Kordofan region, where fighting has intensified amid famine risks in Kadugli and surrounding areas. Mr. Türk also condemned the proliferation of advanced weaponry, including drones, and criticized the increasing militarization of society, including the recruitment of children and the targeting of civil society and journalists. Focusing on the needs of the Sudanese people, Mr. Türk called on warring parties to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, ensure safe passage for those fleeing conflict, and allow unimpeded humanitarian access. He stressed the importance of humane treatment for detainees, clarifying the fate of missing persons, and releasing civilians detained on allegations of collaborating with opposing forces. Concluding his remarks, Mr. Türk urged all parties to set aside personal interests and power struggles, and prioritize the welfare of the Sudanese people. He emphasized that placing human rights at the center of conflict resolution is essential to ending the war and rebuilding sustainable peace. Despite the immense challenges, he acknowledged that the resilience and determination of the Sudanese people make a just and lasting resolution possible.