UN warns of escalating ethnic violence and atrocities in Sudan, urges urgent action

In its decision, the Committee urged Sudanese authorities to take immediate and effective measures to halt the surge in ethnic violence, incitement to racial hatred, and the use of dehumanising, racist language.

UN anti-racism experts have issued a grave warning over a surge in dehumanising language, hate speech, and ethnically targeted human rights abuses in Sudan, particularly in El Fasher and across North Darfur. Members of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) say the situation has deteriorated sharply following the fall of El Fasher on 26 October 2025, after more than 540 days under siege.

The Committee’s findings, released under its early warning and urgent action procedures, detail widespread atrocities committed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied groups, including violence targeting members of the Fur, Masalit, and Zaghawa ethnic communities.

CERD notes that Sudan is now experiencing one of the world’s worst displacement crises, with 7.2 million internally displaced people and more than 3 million refugees forced into neighbouring countries. This humanitarian catastrophe is compounded by famine, the collapse of basic services, and blocked aid corridors.

Atrocities committed in El Fasher and beyond

According to the Committee, the aftermath of El Fasher’s fall has seen a wave of ethnically motivated violations, including:

• Killings, torture and summary executions

• Arbitrary detention of civilians

• Widespread rape and sexual violence used systematically as a weapon of war

• Attacks on hospitals and clinics, including the killing of injured patients

• Denial of medical care

• Direct assaults on humanitarian workers and deliberate obstruction of aid

CERD also raised alarms about escalating violence in the Kordofan region, where renewed clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF have led to further human rights abuses and instability.

Calls for accountability and protection

In its decision, the Committee urged Sudanese authorities to take immediate and effective measures to halt the surge in ethnic violence, incitement to racial hatred, and the use of dehumanising, racist language.

It called for prompt, impartial and public investigations into all alleged violations of international human rights and humanitarian law. CERD stressed that perpetrators, including those in command positions, must be prosecuted, and that victims should receive full reparations, regardless of ethnic background.

The Committee further urged Sudan to cooperate fully with the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan, particularly in investigating atrocities in and around El Fasher.

Appeal for ceasefire and inclusive dialogue

CERD reiterated its longstanding call for all parties to immediately cease hostilities and work toward a lasting, unconditional ceasefire. It emphasised that Sudan’s future stability depends on an inclusive national dialogue, bringing together the country’s diverse ethnic communities to pursue a peaceful, durable resolution and the restoration of a civilian-led government.

As violence spreads and humanitarian conditions worsen, the Committee stressed that urgent action from the Sudanese authorities and the international community is essential to prevent further ethnic cleansing, atrocities and mass displacement.