OHCHR cites civilian death triples after escalating hostilities in Sudan

By Anjali Sharma

UNITED NATIONS -UN human rights office reported on Friday that the civilian death toll in Sudan has surged dramatically, at least 275 people killed between 31 January and 5 February.

OHCHR said that the figure represents a threefold increase at least 89 civilians lost their lives after the ongoing hostilities.

According to the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan, Clementine Nkweta-Salami said the crisis is compounded by intensifying violence in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states, where a humanitarian catastrophe looms,.

The conflict has intensified as artillery shelling, airstrikes and aerial drone attacks continue to devastate populated areas, including Khartoum, North and South Darfur as well as North and South Kordofan.

South Kordofan’s capital, Kadugli, has 80 civilian casualties with reports of women and children being used as human shields.

The threat of further violence in Blue Nile is growing, with reports of mass mobilization for conflict.

OHCHR spokesperson Seif Magango said in a statement that “The sharp increase in civilian deaths underscores the dire risks civilians face amid the continued failure by the parties to the conflict and their allies to protect civilians”.

It noted that beyond the rising death toll, humanitarian volunteers are under threat.

Local partners reported that some aid workers have been erroneously accused of collaborating with the Rapid Support Forces, making them targets of intimidation and violence.

Over 57 members of a local volunteer network have been killed.

The situation is worsened by critical shortages of medical supplies and growing food insecurity, particularly in South Kordofan, where malnutrition rates are spiking.

OHCHR has urged all parties involved in the conflict to end indiscriminate attacks and targeted violence against civilians.

Mr. Magango emphasized “The Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces – and their allied movements and militias – must respect their international law obligations and take concrete steps to protect civilians from harm, including humanitarian workers and human rights defenders” .