UN warns of looming humanitarian disaster in Sudan’s El Obeid

The United Nations has raised serious concerns over the worsening situation in the Sudanese city of El Obeid.

The United Nations has raised serious concerns over the worsening situation in the Sudanese city of El Obeid, warning that thousands of civilians could face another major humanitarian disaster if fighting intensifies. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk urged world leaders to act immediately, saying there is an urgent need to prevent further violence and protect innocent people caught in the conflict.

Speaking during an emergency session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Turk described the situation in El Obeid as a “red alert” that demands the attention of governments across the world. He said the warning should not be ignored because clear signs point to another large scale human rights crisis in Sudan.

According to the UN, civilians in El Obeid have endured nearly eighteen months of siege like conditions as battles continue between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, commonly known as the RSF. Residents have faced repeated drone attacks while both sides compete for control of the strategically important city. Turk stressed that immediate diplomatic efforts are needed to stop the violence before it escalates further.

The urgent debate at the Human Rights Council was requested by Britain on behalf of several countries after growing international concern over reports of a possible RSF offensive against El Obeid. Humanitarian organisations and several governments have also warned that the city could soon witness another wave of devastating attacks.

Sudan has been trapped in conflict since April 2023 when fighting broke out between the national army and the RSF. Much of the violence has centred on the Kordofan region, which holds valuable oil resources and serves as an important military area. El Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan, is located along a vital route connecting RSF controlled territory in Darfur with areas held by the Sudanese army in the east.

The city is home to around half a million people and has also become a refuge for nearly one hundred thousand people displaced by the civil war. In recent weeks, attacks have become more intense as the RSF increased pressure on the city. Drone strikes have reportedly damaged the main power station and fuel storage facilities, leaving many neighbourhoods without electricity. Water supplies have also been disrupted after pumping stations stopped operating, making daily life even more difficult for residents.

The United Nations fears that El Obeid could face a tragedy similar to what happened in El Fasher last year. During that offensive, thousands of people were killed and widespread destruction was reported. Earlier this year, an independent UN fact finding mission concluded that the siege and capture of El Fasher showed signs associated with genocide and described the violence as one of the darkest chapters of the conflict.

Turk said the leaders of both warring sides bear primary responsibility for the immense suffering experienced by the Sudanese people over the past three years. He also criticized outside actors, saying foreign involvement has contributed to prolonging the conflict while ordinary civilians continue to pay the highest price.

Britain, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and Norway have submitted a draft resolution to the Human Rights Council calling for an immediate ceasefire and strongly condemning the escalating violence around El Obeid. The proposal is expected to be considered by council members on Monday.

UN migration officials have also warned that the humanitarian response is already stretched beyond its limits. They fear that if fighting reaches the scale seen in El Fasher, as many as half a million more people could be forced to flee their homes. Aid agencies say they do not have enough resources to respond to another mass displacement, making urgent international action more critical than ever.:::