‘Nowhere is safe’ for civilians as Sudan’s war becomes increasingly chaotic
The The war broke out last April between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has caused political instability, a severe humanitarian emergency, and widespread human rights violations.
More than 15,500 deaths have been reported in approximately 1,400 incidents of violence targeting civilians and there are currently nearly 9.5 million forcibly displaced people in Sudan – 7.3 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) and 1.9 million people in neighboring countries.
Furthermore, approximately 18 million people are severely food insecure and 5 million are facing hunger. Pregnant women are most at risk and 7,000 new mothers could die in the next few months if they lack access to food and health care.
Fighting at El Fryer
The situation is particularly worrying in and around El Fryer, the capital of North Darfur province. The currently besieged city had a pre-war population of about 1.5 million, as well as sheltering more than 800,000 IDPs.
Martha Pobee, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations in the Department of Politics and Peacebuilding, told ambassadors at the Conference that the country is currently under constant bombardment and aerial and military attacks. atrocities against civilians along ethnic lines. Security Council.
“Civilians are in a state of fire. Nowhere is safe for them,” she speaks.
She called for an immediate ceasefire and de-escalation in accordance with the Security Council resolution 2736 passed last week.
“A ceasefire in El Fasher is needed now to prevent further atrocities, protect critical infrastructure and alleviate civilian suffering… The parties must heed this call immediately.”
Overview of the United Nations Security Council meeting on the situation in Sudan.
Ethnic nuances
Ms. Pobee also noted an escalation of fighting in other areas of Sudan, including Greater Khartoum, the Kordofan region and Gezira state, where RSF members reportedly killed 100 civilians in an attack on a village on June 5.
“If we don’t act quickly, Sudan is at risk of sinking into ethnic violence and become even more fragmented,” she warns.
“The risk of spillover conflict remains high.”
Aid ‘underfunding’
The ambassadors also heard an update from Edem Wosornu, Executive Director at the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), who detailed the impact of the crisis on civilians and relief efforts.
Although there have been some improvements over the past few weeks in terms of access, such as visa approvals and travel permits by authorities, aid operations continue to face serious challenges. critical, including attacks on staff.
“Six aid workers, all Sudanese nationals, have died in the past six weeks. This brings the total number of aid workers killed to 24 since the war began,” Ms. Wosornu said.
Besides, The $2.7 billion humanitarian appeal is led by the United Nations There was “woefully underfunding,” she added, noting that only $441 million – 16% – had been received so far.
“We are racing against time to prevent a massive loss of life during this unprecedented food security and protection crisis in Sudan. Every day we wait for funding to arrive, more lives are in danger,” she warned.
Report of human rights investigators
Meanwhile Eastern Human Rights Associationin Geneva, which opened its 56th regular session on Tuesday to hear from independent investigators probing allegations of human rights violations and abuses against civilians, including refugees.
Mohamed Chande Othman, President of the Independent International Organization said: “We have received credible reports of indiscriminate attacks against civilians and civilian objects, including air strikes and artillery shelling of densely populated residential areas, as well as ground attacks targeting civilians in their homes and villages.” Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) for Sudan.
FFM is also investigating other attacks against civilians across Sudan, including this one. mass murder in El Geneina and in Ardamata, by Masalit community members, from April to November last year.
Ceasefire order
Mr. Othman emphasized that the human rights and humanitarian situation in Sudan cannot improve without an immediate ceasefire.
Despite repeated calls from the international community, the fighting continues, he added, stressing that commanders must guide their forces to comply with international humanitarian law, protect civilians and ensure punishment for violations.
At the same time, warring parties must refrain from attacking humanitarian workers, hindering the delivery of aid and allowing unfettered access to millions of civilians in need in every region of Sudan.
“The people of Sudan are calling for help to restore their dignity and rights. They need this support [Human Rights] Council,” he concluded.
Independent investigator
The independent fact-finding mission consists of three members establish by the Human Rights Council last October for an initial term of one year.
Its enforceamong other things is to investigate and determine the facts, circumstances and underlying causes of all alleged violations of human rights and related humanitarian law.
Its chair along with members Joy Ngozi Ezeilo and Mona Rishmawi, serve individually, independently of the United Nations. None of the serving human rights experts are employees of the United Nations and they do not receive a salary.
