The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have ramped up a major offensive to reclaim control of strategic areas from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), in a conflict that has ravaged the country since April 2023.
This power struggle, driven by two rival generals, has torn through the nation, leaving millions displaced and livelihoods in ruins. According to UN reports, the consequences are dire, as more than 11 million people have been forced from their homes, with nearly three million seeking refuge in neighboring countries.
The ongoing violence, coupled with climate shocks and natural disasters, has plunged Sudan into an ever-deepening crisis. This combination of factors has left the population facing a hunger emergency, with millions cut off from access to food, clean water, and basic healthcare.
The latest phase of the conflict, which began on September 25, marks an alarming escalation in violence. The UN’s Human Rights Office (OHCHR) reports that the SAF has carried out heavy airstrikes and artillery bombardments, particularly around key access points to Khartoum, the capital. Among the strategic targets is the Halfaya Bridge, a critical crossing in the battle for control over the city.
These military strikes have had devastating consequences for civilians. Dozens of non-combatants have been killed, and essential infrastructure has been severely damaged, compounding the already dire humanitarian situation.
According to Radhouane Nouicer, the UN expert designated to monitor the human rights situation in Sudan, the recent attacks “echo the horrors” of the initial outbreak of violence in April. Nouicer warned that the intensification of fighting around Khartoum could lead to even greater civilian suffering, human rights violations, and widespread displacement.
Executions of Civilians Spark Outrage
As the violence spirals, deeply disturbing reports of summary executions have emerged, further heightening concerns about human rights abuses. In one particularly chilling account, up to 70 young men from the Halfaya neighborhood in Khartoum-North (Bahri) were executed in recent days.
Eyewitnesses and video footage suggest that the executions were carried out by the SAF and the Al-Baraa Bin Malik Brigade, a militia known to support the SAF.
Some videos allegedly show SAF soldiers in uniform declaring they had killed men accused of looting, a claim that raises serious questions about due process and human rights violations.
“These acts are beyond despicable,” said Nouicer. “They violate every standard of human rights and international law.”
The UN-designated expert called for an immediate, independent investigation into these killings, urging that those responsible be held accountable. Nouicer stressed that even in the chaos of war, there are international rules in place to protect civilians from violence and abuse.
Nouicer’s remarks underscore the need for all parties involved in the conflict to adhere to international humanitarian laws. He emphasized that the impunity for such brutal acts must end and that civilian lives must be protected.
“Even in war, there are rules. The killing of innocent people cannot be justified under any circumstances.”
Radhouane Nouicer
He reiterated the call for swift accountability and urged the international community to increase pressure on all sides to respect human rights and cease the violence.
A Long-standing Conflict with Devastating Consequences
The conflict in Sudan has been a long and complex struggle for power, worsened by military coups and civil unrest. Since October 2021, when the military took control of the government, Sudan has been in a state of political and social turmoil.
The United Nations Human Rights Council appointed Nouicer in December 2022 to monitor and report on the ongoing crisis, address violations, and restore a civilian-led government.
This latest escalation in the conflict only deepens the country’s plight, with no clear resolution in sight. With millions displaced and countless lives at risk, the future of Sudan remains uncertain as international efforts to broker peace continue.
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