UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk warned on Thursday of looming atrocities in Kordofan amid intensifying fighting, after documenting the killing of hundreds of civilians by shelling and summary executions.
In a statement, Türk said he fears “another wave of atrocities in Sudan as heavy fighting escalates across the Kordofan region between the army, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and the SPLM–North.”
He described the prospect of history repeating itself in Kordofan so soon after the horrific events in El Fasher as “deeply shocking.”
“The international community stood united then, sharply condemning the barbaric violations and destruction,” he added. “We must not allow Kordofan to become another El Fasher.”
He continued: “Have we learned nothing from the past? We cannot stand idle while more Sudanese fall victim to horrifying human rights abuses. We must act — this war must stop now.”
According to Türk, the UN Human Rights Office documented the deaths of 269 civilians following the RSF’s takeover of Bara, North Kordofan, on 25 October, resulting from airstrikes, artillery fire, and summary executions.
He said the real toll is likely far higher, as communications blackouts have hindered reporting. He noted additional accounts of revenge killings, arbitrary detention, abductions, sexual violence, and forced recruitment — including of children.
Türk added that on 3 November the RSF struck a mourning tent in El Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan, with a drone, killing 45 people, most of them women.
He also cited reports that the Sudanese Armed Forces carried out an airstrike last week on Kauda in South Kordofan, killing 48 people, most of them civilians. On 29 November, another airstrike by Sudanese forces reportedly struck Kauda again.
“Since then, heavy fighting has continued across the three Kordofan states, resulting in further civilian casualties,” he said.
Türk stressed that the cities of Kadugli and Dilling in South Kordofan — besieged by the RSF and SPLM–North — are at particular risk, in addition to El Obeid, which is partially encircled by the RSF.
He underscored that the world cannot remain silent in the face of yet another human-made catastrophe, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and unhindered delivery of life-saving aid to people facing famine.
He urged all states with influence over the warring parties to take swift action to halt the fighting and stop the flow of weapons fueling the conflict.
