United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned a wave of violence in Sudan’s al-Jazira state by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), as confirmed by his spokesman on Friday.
Guterres is “appalled” by reports of civilian casualties, forced displacements, sexual violence, and widespread destruction, according to spokesman Stephane Dujarric, who warned that these actions may violate international humanitarian laws.
The UN reports that at least 124 people have died and many others are injured from clashes in the region over the past 10 days. The escalating violence, which began in April 2023 between Sudan’s army, led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and RSF forces under Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, has plunged Sudan into one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, leaving over 25 million people facing severe hunger and displacement.
“The Secretary-General is appalled by reports of large numbers of civilians being killed, detained and displaced, acts of sexual violence against women and girls, the looting of homes and markets and the burning of farms,” spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.
“Such acts may constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law. Perpetrators of such serious violations must be held accountable,” he added.
