World news in brief: Concerns grow over fate of El Fasher, calls for consensus on elections in South Sudan, indigenous rights in Brazil

Residential areas, markets, hospitals and shelters were all affected, he told reporters at a daily press briefing in New York.

Up to 329,000 people have been displaced in the past three months from the remaining city under government control in Darfur, according to the United Nations (UN) migration agency.IOM).

Civilians must be protected and those fleeing the fighting must be guaranteed safety, Mr Dujarric said.

“It is vital that the parties de-escalate to prevent further suffering for civilians and to facilitate the unhindered delivery of life-saving assistance,” he stressed.

Feedback continues

“In the meantime, we and our partners continue to work to meet those needs, including working to get medical kits to areas around El Fasher, including staging areas for civilians.”

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is also scaling up nutrition support at displacement sites in El Fasher, as well as the towns of Tawila and Dar As Salam in North Darfur state.

UN humanitarian agencies have warned that conflict is also intensifying in Sennar state – near the border with Ethiopia – causing further civilian suffering and more serious human rights violations.

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Aid (OCHA), more than 136,000 people have been displaced as clashes between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia spread across the state.

Civilians are facing numerous protection risks, including widespread looting. Reports say RSF have occupied Sinja Teaching Hospital, using patients and staff as human shields and disrupting medical services.

Forced displacement has spread to neighbouring states including Gedaref, Blue Nile and Kassala, where humanitarian partners are ramping up their response. But aid groups have warned that the rainy season has begun and conditions in displacement sites are dire.

OCHA is working with government agencies and humanitarian partners to address the crisis. But the agency warns that the situation is getting worse as protection concerns grow, with people reporting looting of shops and markets, leaving them without basic necessities.

UN mission in South Sudan calls for consensus on election roadmap

United Nations Mission in South Sudan (SKIP) released a joint statement on Thursday, calling on parties to the long-delayed peace deal to “reach consensus” on how best to hold free and fair elections across the world’s youngest nation.

UNMISS, the African Union Mission in South Sudan and the regional bloc known as the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) began their statement by congratulating the country on its 13th anniversary of independence.

But they urged the government and political rivals who signed the so-called Reconstruction Agreement on Conflict Resolution six years ago to “clarify the election roadmap”.

Reflecting the ‘will of the voters’

They noted the wide range of positions being adopted and expressed on transition measures, saying that while “the decision is sovereign” for South Sudan’s leaders, the path to successful elections must take place “in accordance with agreed processes, procedures and timelines”.

National elections are due to be held in December but there is still no agreement on the ground rules for conducting them.

Hundreds of thousands of South Sudanese were killed and millions displaced during the 2013-2018 war between government forces and rival militias. While some issues have been resolved, many remain unresolved.

The AU, IGAD and UNMISS missions called on everyone to join hands in action: “In this regard, the partners reaffirm their full support for all efforts to bring about peaceful, free, fair and credible elections that reflect the will of the voters.”

Rights expert calls on Brazil to protect indigenous rights amid controversial new law

The United Nations is calling on Brazil’s Supreme Court and Senate to protect the rights of indigenous peoples to land, territories and natural resources.

United Nations Dong Nhan Quy Association– Independent rights expert José Francisco Calí Tzay is calling for immediate action to suspend new laws that could dispossess or evict indigenous communities.

Mr Calí Tzay praised the Brazilian Supreme Court for rejecting the ‘Marco Temporal’ doctrine that required indigenous people to prove they were occupying their land on October 5, 1988.

But he said he was concerned about Congress rushing to pass new legislation that could essentially bring the doctrine back.

Beyond the Boundaries

Human rights experts say the law goes against international human rights standards that protect the rights of indigenous people without time limits.

He stressed the importance of indigenous lands for biodiversity and climate balance and warned that mining, gold mining and cattle ranching could cause significant damage to the environment.

He also called on the Supreme Court to suspend the law until it is declared constitutional.

Special Rapporteurs and other human rights experts appointed by the Human Rights Council are independent of any government, receive no remuneration for their work and serve in their personal capacity.