Khartoum - New York: Europe and the Arabs
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, said that the disastrous human rights consequences of the war in Sudan are a daily reality for millions of Sudanese, adding that the horror unfolding there knows no bounds. According to the UN Daily News Bulletin, in a statement issued by his office, Türk reported that just three days ago, the Rapid Support Forces launched coordinated attacks from multiple directions on the besieged city of El Fasher and Abu Shouk camp, killing at least 40 civilians.
This brings the number of civilians killed in North Darfur to at least 542 in the past three weeks alone, and the actual death toll is likely much higher.
The UN official said, "My concerns are heightened by the ominous warning issued by the Rapid Support Forces of bloodshed ahead of imminent battles with the Sudanese Armed Forces and associated armed movements." He stressed the need to make every effort to protect civilians trapped amid the tragic conditions in and around El Fasher. He warned that reports of extrajudicial executions in Khartoum state were extremely disturbing, pointing to horrific videos circulating on social media showing at least 30 men in civilian clothes being arrested and executed by armed men wearing Rapid Support Forces uniforms in Al-Salha, south of Omdurman.
He added that this follows other shocking reports in recent weeks of the extrajudicial execution of dozens of people accused of collaborating with the Rapid Support Forces in southern Khartoum, allegedly carried out by the Al-Baraa Brigade.
“The intentional killing of a civilian or anyone no longer directly participating in hostilities constitutes a war crime,” Türk said.
He explained that he had personally alerted both the commanders of the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces to the disastrous human rights consequences of this war. The Personal Envoy's Efforts
In another development, UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said that Ramtane Lamamra, the UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy for Sudan, was in Cairo this week where he "discussed with officials there, including Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelati, the latest developments in Sudan and ongoing efforts to stop the war."
Dujarric said in his daily press briefing that the attendees agreed on the need for a comprehensive Sudanese-led political process to restore peace in the country and preserve Sudan's unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
The UN spokesman said that Lamamra also exchanged views with Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, on coordinating efforts between the UN, the League, and relevant multilateral organizations to promote peace efforts in Sudan.
Dujarric reported that earlier this week, Lamamra was in Port Sudan and Addis Ababa, where he continued his engagement with various stakeholders.