The United Kingdom has delivered a powerful statement to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), urging immediate action to prevent large-scale atrocities in El Obeid, Sudan. Speaking on behalf of a core group including Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Norway, the UK's Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders, highlighted the grave danger facing 500,000 civilians in the region.
Ambassador Sanders detailed how escalating drone strikes have devastated civilian infrastructure, including key supply routes, fuel stations, and the electricity grid in El Obeid. She warned that these attacks put half a million people at imminent risk of atrocities, deepening the existing humanitarian crisis in Sudan. The statement drew parallels with the devastating violence and displacement inflicted by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El Fasher just eight months prior, which the Council had condemned.
The UK-led group specifically called for the Rapid Support Forces to end their siege of El Obeid. Furthermore, all parties involved in the conflict were urged to de-escalate immediately, facilitate safe and voluntary passage for civilians, and guarantee rapid, unhindered humanitarian access to those in need. The emphasis was on preventing a repeat of past horrors and ensuring the protection of civilian lives.
A central pillar of the proposed resolution is the establishment of an urgent inquiry by the UN Fact-Finding Mission. Ambassador Sanders stressed that this mission's efforts to document and preserve evidence of any violations and abuses are vital for laying the groundwork for future justice. Without this, she argued, accountability would remain elusive, and the cycle of impunity in Sudan would continue unchecked. The UK also paid tribute to Sudanese civil society actors, acknowledging their courage and resilience under immense pressure.
The UK's call to action underscored the belief that expressing shock and concern is insufficient. Concrete measures are required to support accountability for these crimes, and the Human Rights Council must fulfil its role in preventing atrocities. Ambassador Sanders concluded by advocating for the resolution's adoption by consensus, sending a strong signal that the people of El Obeid are not forgotten and that the Council is committed to taking decisive action.