The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) confirmed that the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continues to devastate civilian populations. Dozens of civilians, including local humanitarian volunteers, have been killed in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, as deadly artillery shelling and aerial bombardment intensify.
Credible reports suggest that RSF fighters and allied militias have been raiding homes in eastern Khartoum, executing summary killings, carrying out arbitrary detentions, and looting essential supplies from community kitchens and medical facilities.
Meanwhile, OHCHR has also received “worrying allegations of sexual violence in the Al Giraif Gharb neighbourhood”, according to spokesperson Seif Magango.
SAF-affiliated fighters have similarly been accused of engaging in looting and criminal activities in Khartoum North (Bahri) and East Nile, where reports indicate a wave of arbitrary arrests.
The humanitarian situation in Omdurman and Khartoum is deteriorating rapidly, with civilian areas increasingly targeted. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), a drone strike in East Khartoum’s Imtedaad Nasir district on Tuesday resulted in the deaths of five women and left several others injured.
A day earlier, artillery shelling in Karari, north of Omdurman, killed multiple people and injured over 40 others, including children. OCHA has renewed urgent calls for all warring factions to halt attacks on civilian infrastructure and populations.
Beyond Khartoum, the situation in North Darfur remains dire. Armed clashes in and around El Fasher have forced thousands to flee to Zamzam camp, which is now under siege and facing famine.
OCHA warns that resources are critically overstretched, and humanitarian aid is being obstructed by roadblocks, cutting off desperate civilians from essential supplies. Water trucking operations have ceased due to security risks, increasing the likelihood of disease outbreaks.
“We continue to call for an immediate cessation of hostilities across Sudan and full, unhindered humanitarian access to ensure lifesaving aid reaches those most in need.”
UN Human Rights Office
With the situation worsening, the UN and humanitarian agencies are urging all parties to prioritize protecting civilians and allowing safe passage for humanitarian relief. OHCHR has reiterated its demand for all states with influence over the warring factions to intervene and ensure effective civilian protection.
AU Intensifies Diplomatic Efforts
Aside from the UN and other humanitarian organizations working to resolve the conflict, the African Union (AU) has also increased diplomatic initiatives in response to Sudan’s crisis. In February 2025, the AU hosted a critical dialogue aimed at strengthening coordinated interventions between African institutions and regional bodies. The effort is spearheaded by a High-Level Panel led by Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas.
At the center of the AU’s response is its “Master Roadmap on Silencing the Guns”, which has evolved into an “Expanded Mechanism” to unify all peace efforts in Sudan. The AU Peace and Security Council took a strong stance in March 2025 against the RSF’s attempts to establish a parallel government, urging African nations and the international community to uphold Sudan’s territorial integrity.
Also, the East African Community and other regional organizations have echoed the call for an immediate ceasefire and urged warring parties to engage in established conflict resolution frameworks. However, diplomatic efforts remain fraught with challenges.
A recent flashpoint emerged when Sudan recalled its ambassador from Kenya after Nairobi hosted RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo for peace negotiations. The move underscores the deep divisions over the mediation process, with Sudan’s government perceiving external diplomatic maneuvers as undermining its authority.
Despite ongoing mediation attempts, critics argue that international efforts have been “lackluster and fruitless”, calling for a more proactive strategy beyond forming diplomatic committees.
As Sudan’s crisis deepens, millions remain trapped in the crossfire of an unrelenting war, with no clear resolution in sight.
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