by Nurat Uthman
The U.N. secretary-general on Friday strongly condemned recent attacks in Sudan’s Al Jazirah state by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and reiterated his call for the war to end.
“The secretary-general is appalled by large numbers of civilians being killed, being detained or being displaced, as well as acts of sexual violence against women and girls, the looting of homes and the looting of markets and the burning of farms,” spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters.
“Such acts may constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law. Perpetrators of such serious violations must be held to account.”
From October 20 to 30, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) carried out major attacks in villages across eastern Al Jazirah state, reportedly killing more than 120 civilians.
The International Organization for Migration said Friday that more than 135,000 people have fled the area in the past week, with most going to Gedaref and Kassala states.
The U.N. office for humanitarian affairs says it and its partners, especially local organizations and volunteers, are supporting thousands of the new arrivals with humanitarian aid, mental health support, family reunification services and other assistance.
The RSF has been locked in battle with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) for nearly 19 months, since their leaders turned against one another and engaged in a power struggle that has tipped the nation into catastrophe.
Dujarric said the U.N. chief is alarmed that the humanitarian situation continues to worsen and “demands” that all parties to the conflict facilitate “safe, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access to all civilians in need in Sudan.”
Eleven million people have been displaced and half of Sudan’s population, an estimated 25 million people, are struggling with crisis levels of food insecurity. Famine was confirmed in August in parts of Sudan’s Darfur region. At least 14 other areas of Sudan are considered at risk of famine in the coming months. Meanwhile, diseases, including cholera, are spreading.
“The secretary-general renews his call for a cease-fire to spare Sudanese civilians from further harm,” Dujarric said.
