Conflict in Sudan continues to spiral out of control, tragedy needs to end: UN official

Geneva: The United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Nada Al Nashif affirmed that the Sudanese people are currently facing one of the worst humanitarian crises, which is exacerbated by impunity, stressing that the armed "conflict in Sudan continues to spiral out of control. Civilians bear the brunt of hostilities."

In her speech at the interactive dialogue session on human rights in Sudan within the framework of the 57th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, Al Nashif affirmed the need for the international community to intervene to stop this catastrophic situation after over 16 months since the beginning of the conflict, saying: "This tragedy needs to end, now."

She pointed out that indiscriminate attacks have resulted in thousands of civilian casualties, destruction of vital infrastructure - including hospitals, schools, and markets - and decimation of sources of livelihoods.

From June to August 2023, they documented over 864 civilian deaths in attacks on residential areas across Sudan.

"This senseless conflict has had a devastating impact on economic and social rights, in particular the rights to food, to housing, and to education," she stressed, calling for urgent steps to stop these violations and ensure the protection of civilians.

The ongoing armed conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023 has so far left more than 20,000 people killed and forced the displacement of more than 10 million others, according to UN reports.