The United Nations (UN) warned on Friday about a rapid increase in civilian casualties in Sudan, accusing the warring parties of failing to protect the population.
“An immediate cessation of arbitrary attacks, threats, and assaults on civilians is essential,” said Seif Magango, spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office, OHCHR.
The Sudanese army, which has been at war with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023, has launched recent offensives on various fronts to regain full control of the capital, Khartoum.
The UN Human Rights Office reported documenting at least 275 civilian deaths from artillery, air, and drone strikes between 31 January and 5 February in Khartoum, North Darfur, South Darfur, North Kordofan, and South Kordofan.
These figures are more than triple the “already high” toll of 89 deaths from the previous week, Mr. Magango said. The actual death toll is likely much higher than the verified numbers, according to the UN.
“The sharp increase in civilian deaths underscores the dire risks civilians face amid the continued failure by the parties to the conflict and their allies to protect civilians,” the spokesman added.
“The Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces - and their allied movements and militias - must respect their international law obligations and take concrete steps to protect civilians from harm, including humanitarian workers and human rights defenders,” he emphasised.
The war in Sudan has already claimed tens of thousands of lives, displaced twelve million people, and brought the nation to the brink of famine.
