It comes after RSF fighters seized El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, last month following a year-long siege marked by widespread killings, sexual violence, torture and other atrocities.
History repeats itself
Mr. Türk urged all States with influence over the parties to take immediate measures to stop the fighting and stop the arms flows that are fueling the conflict.
“The international community stood united then, unequivocally condemning the barbaric violations and destruction. We must not allow Kordofan to become another El Fasher.”
Deadly airstrikes, revenge killings
The RSF captured the town of Bara in North Kordofan on 25 October. Since then, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, has documented at least 269 civilian deaths from airstrikes, artillery bombardments and summary executions.
However, civilian casualties are likely to be higher as telecommunications and internet outages have made reporting difficult.
There have also been reports of retaliatory killings, arbitrary detentions, kidnappings, sexual violence and forced recruitment, including of children.
Many civilians have reportedly been detained, accused of “collaborating” with opposition parties, Türk added, as fears grow over the use of hate speech and division.
The violence has also led to mass displacement, with more than 45,000 people fleeing to safety within or outside the region.
Humanitarian response affected
Aid teams in Sudan issued a joint statement condemning in the strongest terms the escalation of violence in the Kordofan region and the ongoing sieges that have isolated multiple towns.
“Violence is restricting access to food, medicine and essential supplies, and is limiting farmers’ access to their fields and markets. increasing the risk of famine spreading in all the states of Kordofan,” it said.
Mr. Türk noted that an RSF drone strike reportedly killed 45 people in El Obeid, North Kordofan, on November 3, while an SAF strike in Kauda, South Kordofan, on November 29 reportedly killed at least 48 people, most of them civilians.
Fears for Kadugli and Dilling
He warned that the towns of Kadugli and Dilling in South Kordofan are particularly at risk as they have been besieged by the RSF and an allied group, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM-N).
Aid workers reported that communities remain trapped, facing extreme hardship, severe movement restrictions, and limited access to essential services and protection.
Famine conditions have also been identified in Kadugli, and sustained attacks have been reported in Babanusa, West Kordofan, in recent days.
“We cannot sit idly by”
“We cannot remain silent in the face of another man-made catastrophe.” Türk said, calling for an end to the fighting and access to people facing hunger.
“Have we not learned the lessons of the past? We cannot stand by and allow more Sudanese to become victims of horrific human rights violations. We must act and this war must end now.”
The conflict in Sudan has created one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises, with some 30 million people needing assistance.
Humanitarian services continue to operate despite immense risks, reaching some 1.1 million people in the Kordofan region alone.