By Anjali Sharma
UNITED NATIONS – UN chief Antonio Guterres on Monday expressed deep alarm over the reports of summary executions of civilians in Khartoum North, allegedly carried out by fighters and militias allied with the forces of the military Government.
He noted that many of the victims are believed to be from the Darfur and Kordofan regions.
UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told reporters in New York that “The Secretary-General reminds all warring parties in Sudan of their obligations under international law, especially in relation to the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure.”
“Sudanese women, Sudanese children and Sudanese men are paying the price for the continued fighting by the belligerents,” he stated.
Sudanese Government troops have been fighting military rivals, the Rapid Support Forces for control of Sudan since April 2023.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk described the “senseless” war where alleged war crimes have been committed on both sides as having taken an “even more dangerous turn for civilians” – as reports mount of brutal, ethnically targeted killings.
Mr. Türk said that his office, OHCHR, is working to corroborate these reports.
Spokesman Mr. Dujarric said that attacks on civilians continue across Sudan.
According to UN humanitarians, on Saturday, a strike on a crowded market in Omdurman killed at least 60 people and injured more than 150.
OCHA reported that civilian casualties have been reported in North Kordofan, as well as North and South Darfur.
UN aid coordination office has warned of rising fatalities, particularly following reported attacks on the Abu Shouk displacement camp, where famine conditions were identified in December.
UN Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator in Sudan, Clementine Nkweta-Salami, condemned the indiscriminate attacks at the weekend.
He stated “The deliberate targeting of civilian areas represents a blatant disregard for human life and the most basic principles of the laws of war. Such atrocities must cease immediately.”
OCHA said the food crisis in Sudan is worsening, with reports confirming more than 70 hunger-related deaths – mostly among children in Khartoum State.
Over 1,100 cases of severe malnutrition were recorded in three Omdurman neighborhoods, underscored the dire need for food assistance.
Malnutrition rates are particularly high in areas where access restrictions have forced the closure of community kitchens, a critical lifeline for many families.
“We stress once again the urgent need for increased funding and logistical support to sustain nutrition programmes and community kitchens, ensuring that the most vulnerable children and older people – receive adequate food, nutrition and healthcare assistance,” Mr. Dujarric said.
He stressed that as the humanitarian catastrophe worsens, the UN reiterated its call for all parties to protect civilians and facilitate access to life-saving aid.
Ms. Nkweta-Salami said “The suffering of Sudanese civilians has gone on for too long”.
She added “It’s long past time to end this war and prevent further devastation.”
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