A senior United Nations official has issued a grave warning about the intensifying violence against civilians in Sudan, describing the situation as “verging on pure evil.” The country is grappling with a worsening humanitarian crisis, with ethnic violence escalating in the western region of Darfur.
The conflict, which erupted on April 15, involves the Sudanese army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The violence ensued after weeks of rising tension between the two factions over a plan to integrate forces as part of the transition from military rule to civilian democracy.
Clementine Nkweta-Salami, the top UN aid official in Sudan, expressed deep concern about the reports of “sexual- and gender-based violence and forced disappearance, arbitrary detentions, and grave violations of human and children’s rights.” She added that disturbing reports indicate an escalation in violence and attacks against civilians, potentially on an ethnic basis in Darfur.
As the RSF seized control of the main army base in the state capital, El Geneina, individuals fleeing to Chad reported a surge in ethnically driven killings in Sudan’s West Darfur.
The humanitarian situation is dire, with the UN’s warning underscoring the urgent need for intervention to address the escalating violence and protect the rights and lives of civilians caught in the crossfire.
