UN Rights Chief Warns 500,000 in El-Obeid Face RSF Atrocities as Council Weighs Ceasefire
Updated
Updated · Vanity Fair · Jul 3
UN Rights Chief Warns 500,000 in El-Obeid Face RSF Atrocities as Council Weighs Ceasefire
3 articles · Updated · Vanity Fair · Jul 3
Summary
Volker Türk told world leaders El-Obeid faces a "red alert" and urged immediate action to prevent the North Kordofan capital from becoming another El-Fasher.
Up to 500,000 civilians are at risk as RSF pressure grows around the city, which has endured more than 18 months of siege-like conditions and repeated drone strikes.
Britain, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and Norway said they would submit a draft resolution to the 47-member Human Rights Council condemning escalating RSF violence and demanding an immediate ceasefire.
The warning is shaped by El-Fasher's fall in October 2025, where survivors and rights groups say ignored alerts preceded mass killings that may have left as many as 5,000 dead in three days.
Amnesty International said ceasefire calls alone may not stop a repeat, urging a nationwide arms embargo, pressure from RSF backers including the UAE, and even an international protection force.
With drones creating a 'new circle of hell,' how can vital aid possibly reach millions starving in Sudan?
As foreign powers fuel Sudan's war, what prevents a global response to stop the looming genocide?
Why are commanders accused of atrocities in Sudan being offered amnesty instead of facing international justice?
El-Obeid Under Siege: 500,000 Civilians at Risk Amid Sudan’s Worsening War, Foreign Meddling, and Looming Famine
Overview
El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan, is facing a severe crisis as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have encircled the city and launched relentless drone strikes, destroying critical infrastructure and pushing basic services to the brink of collapse. This siege has triggered mass displacement, with families fleeing faster than aid can reach them, and left up to 500,000 civilians at extreme risk of atrocities. The situation mirrors previous tragedies in Sudan, such as the fall of El-Fasher, and is fueled by external support—especially from the United Arab Emirates—which continues to arm and finance the RSF, deepening the humanitarian catastrophe and complicating efforts for peace and accountability.