Sudan’s armed forces launched a major operation last month to capture the area, which is currently under RSF control. Since April 2023, the country has been in a power and supremacy struggle between conflicting militaries, leading to a massive humanitarian crisis.
The fighting has so far displaced 1.1 crore people from their homes, of which 29 lakh have sought refuge in neighboring countries.
Violent conflict coupled with climate shocks and devastating disasters have destroyed countless livelihoods and the country is currently grappling with a massive hunger crisis.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said the military operation by the Sudanese army began on September 25, with paramilitary forces conducting airstrikes and shelling of RSF positions.
Fierce fighting continues in areas leading to the capital, Khartoum. These attacks have resulted in a large number of civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure.
Radowan Nossier, an expert on the human rights situation in Sudan, said the outbreak of violence in Greater Khartoum was reminiscent of the terrifying early days of the violent conflict that began in April 2023.
He expressed concern that the fighting could lead to large-scale civilian casualties, human rights violations and the displacement of large numbers of people.
Follow the rules of battle
According to UN experts, 70 youths have reportedly been extrajudicially killed in the past few days on suspicion of involvement with the RSF.
He expressed his outrage that it was disgusting and made a mockery of all norms and standards of human rights.
The UN expert called on all parties to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law and human rights law and appealed to protect civilians from violence.
According to Raduan Nocier, such incidents need to be immediately and independently investigated and the perpetrators held accountable according to international standards.
“Even in war there are rules,” and the sense of impunity for such acts must end immediately.
Dr. United Nations designated expert
In December 2022, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights designated Radouane Nossier, a Tunisian national, as an expert on the human rights situation in Sudan. Adama Dieng previously held this position.
Earlier, the Human Rights Council passed a resolution requesting the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to nominate an expert without delay to monitor the country’s human rights situation.
The military seized power in Sudan in a coup on October 25 and is currently awaiting the formation of a civilian-led government.
Such experts have also been designated to examine the human rights situation in Haiti and Colombia. These UN-designated experts are separate from special rapporteurs and independent working groups, which are appointed by the Geneva-based Human Rights Council.