The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has condemned the dire situation facing civilians in Sudan as the civil war nears its third anniversary. Speaking in Port Sudan, Türk described the conditions as akin to experiencing “horror and hell.” His remarks highlight the alarming use of child soldiers and the diversion of humanitarian funds for procuring advanced weaponry, including drones.
Türk specifically criticized the procurement of arms with resources intended for humanitarian aid. He noted that survivors from Darfur have reported severe abuses, warning that similar atrocities may be occurring in Kordofan, where large-scale displacement and the risk of starvation continue to escalate. The Commissioner urged both warring factions to listen to survivor testimonies and called for an immediate cessation of attacks on civilian infrastructure. Such actions, he emphasized, constitute war crimes under international law.
As international accountability efforts persist, conditions in Sudan have sharply deteriorated. In November 2025, the UN Human Rights Council passed a resolution mandating an urgent, independent fact-finding mission to investigate alleged atrocities in El-Fasher. Reports from the region have included accounts of ethnically motivated killings, torture, summary executions, and sexual violence.
Human Rights Watch has also called on international actors to ensure accountability for alleged international crimes linked to the long-standing Darfur conflict, which is under review by the International Criminal Court. The ongoing fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) began in April 2023 and has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands, displacing approximately 13 million people, according to UN estimates.
The United Nations has reported that Sudan now faces the world’s largest hunger and displacement crisis. Over 21 million people are experiencing acute food insecurity, with around two-thirds of the population requiring humanitarian assistance. The urgent need for aid has intensified as the conflict continues to ravage communities and disrupt essential services.
The international community’s response is critical as the situation remains precarious. Efforts to address the humanitarian crisis and hold perpetrators accountable are ongoing, but the immediate needs of the Sudanese people remain dire. As the conflict enters its third year, the call for peace and protection of civilians grows louder.
