Thursday’s warning comes as the SAF launched a major offensive last month to regain control of key areas currently held by the RSF. The two armies, led by rival generals, have been locked in a brutal power struggle since April 2023.
The civil war has forced more than 11 million people from their homes in Sudan, with an estimated 2.9 million of them forced to move as refugees to neighboring countries. Along with climate shocks and devastating disasters, the civil war has destroyed countless livelihoods and plunged the country into a serious hunger crisis.
September Offensive
The latest attacks, which began on September 25, included SAF airstrikes and artillery strikes targeting RSF positions, particularly around key entry points into the capital Khartoum, including the strategically important Halfaya Bridge, according to the UN human rights office OHCHR.
These attacks reportedly resulted in dozens of civilian casualties and significant damage to vital infrastructure.
Radhouane Nouicer, a UN High Commissioner-appointed expert on the situation in Sudan, said the escalation in Khartoum: “Reflects the fears” of the early days of the conflict April 2023.
There could be numerous civilian casualties among those trapped next to strategic sites, serious human rights violations and mass displacement, he warned.
run summary
As fighting intensifies, a UN-designated expert highlighted shocking reports of dozens of young people being summarily executed, particularly in the Halfaya district in northern Khartoum (Bahri). Up to 70 young people are believed to have died in recent days.
These executions are believed to have been carried out by SAF forces and the al-Barrah bin Malik Brigades, a militia group that has expressed support for the SAF.
“A video circulating in the media shows the body of a young man who was allegedly murdered for alleged links or collaboration with the RSF. This is beyond vile and violates all human rights norms and standards.“said the expert.
In one video, armed men wearing SAF uniforms reportedly said they were from northern Khartoum and had killed six men accused of looting.
There are rules in war
Prime Minister Noyser called on all parties to respect their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law, emphasizing the need to protect civilians from arbitrary executions and violence.
He also called for a speedy and independent investigation into the killings and for those responsible to be held accountable according to international standards.
“Even in war there are rules“Nouicer said, emphasizing that punishment for such acts must stop immediately.
UN Designated Expert
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights appointed Tunisian national Mr. Nouicer as expert on the human rights situation in Sudan in December 2022, succeeding Adama Dieng.
This follows a Human Rights Council resolution calling on the UN Human Rights Secretary-General to “appoint without delay” an expert to monitor the situation in Sudan through cooperation and engagement with the UN following the military takeover on October 25, 2021, until the civilian-led government is restored. This is according to. office, civil society and national stakeholders.
Haiti and Colombia also have similar designated experts responsible for human rights situations.
UN-appointed experts are different from special rapporteurs or independent working groups, which are directly appointed and appointed by the Geneva-based Human Rights Council.
