At least 29 countries are condemning the atrocities in Sudan el-Obeid | Sudan War News

UN and allies warn of serious human rights violations in North Kordofan; put more pressure on the ⁠RSF and SAF not to harm civilians.

A coalition of countries has warned the United Nations Human Rights Council that the Sudanese Rapid Support Forces (RSF) may increase their attacks on the central city of El-Obeid.

The statement, issued by Norway, was issued on behalf of the Coalition for Atrocity Prevention and Justice for Sudan, which includes Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and Sierra Leone, which also said it had joined 21 other countries.

“We are deeply alarmed by the severity of atrocities and deliberate killings in Sudan,” the statement warned on Thursday, adding that around 500,000 civilians “are at risk of serious atrocities”.

El-Obeid is one of the largest cities in Sudan and the capital of North Kordofan, which has been the scene of heavy fighting in recent months of the war that is about to end. 14 million peopleit caused genocide and spread famine and disease.

The international coalition urged all countries to put more pressure on the RSF and its adversary, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), to stop the violence and protect civilians. It reiterated the need for unwavering support.

“Ten consecutive days of drone strikes have killed at least 50 people in El Obeid and North Kordofan, and have caused extensive damage to infrastructure,” he said.

“Reliable reporting of all forms of violence, including gender-based violence, is negative,” it added.

After than three years of war in Sudan, the Sudanese army controls the central and eastern regions, while the RSF has strengthened its control in Darfur in the west. The two sides are fighting over the large central Kordofan region, which is important for agriculture.

In October, the RSF captured El-Fasher, the main city in the Darfur region. The starving city, once home to around one million people, had been under siege for 18 months before the RSF’s final battle, which began on October 25.

‘I’ve seen this book before’

The head of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights ⁠⁠⁠⁠Volker Turk also gave a strong warning that the coming destruction could be a risk of violation of international law, and warned that the residents of El-Obeid had already suffered from conditions of siege for more than 18 months.

“We have already seen the playbook. We cannot allow a repeat of the preventable atrocities we recorded in al-Fasher and Zamzam IDP camps in North Darfur last year,” Turk said in a statement on Thursday.

“This should be a strong warning to the whole world about the coming disaster of human rights and the worsening of human rights. Countries with power have a responsibility to act to stop this madness,” he added.

The US and rights groups have accused the RSF of carrying out attacks in West Darfur during the conflict, adding to the violence that has erupted over land disputes.

The RSF has denied that it is a case of murder and said that those who committed atrocities will be held accountable.

“The people of Sudan need peace – urgent action must be taken to protect civilians and prevent other atrocities, including sexual violence, as well as displacement and torture,” Turk urged.