Volker Turk, the UN human rights chief, says Sudan’s civil war has put civilians through "horror and hell" as famine risk and mass displacement grow. He condemned the diversion of funds to advanced weapons, warned of rising militarisation and child recruitment, and urged accountability for alleged atrocities. UN agencies say 30.4 million people will need aid in 2025 and an estimated 13.6 million have been displaced.
UN Rights Chief: Sudan’s People Endure 'Horror and Hell' as War Drives Famine and Mass Displacement
(Al Jazeera)
United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk warned that the conflict in Sudan has subjected civilians to "horror and hell", as widespread food insecurity and mass displacement deepen across the country. Speaking from Port Sudan on the Red Sea coast during his first visit since the fighting began in April 2023, Turk condemned the diversion of resources toward advanced weaponry — including drones — at the expense of humanitarian relief.
Allegations Of Foreign Involvement And Arms Flows
The UN has repeatedly raised concerns about foreign actors fuelling the conflict. Monitoring groups and diplomats have accused the United Arab Emirates of supplying the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) with weapons, logistics and political backing — allegations Abu Dhabi denies. The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) are reported to receive backing from Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and both Iran and Türkiye have been linked to arms transfers to the army, including drones.
Militarisation, Atrocities And Child Recruitment
Turk warned of an "increasing militarisation of society by all parties to the conflict, including through the arming of civilians and recruitment and use of children." He said he had heard testimony from survivors of "unbearable" atrocities in Darfur and cautioned that similar crimes are appearing in Kordofan, now a major centre of the fighting.
"We must ensure that the perpetrators of these horrific violations face justice regardless of the affiliation," Turk said, urging that testimonies reach commanders and those who are arming, funding and profiting from the war.
Humanitarian Catastrophe
Humanitarian agencies warn of a catastrophic and growing emergency. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), some 30.4 million people out of a population of 46.8 million will need humanitarian assistance in 2025. The country faces acute food insecurity and a severe nutrition crisis, particularly in Darfur and Kordofan, while repeated disease outbreaks are worsening needs.
Sudan is also experiencing the world’s largest displacement crisis: an estimated 13.6 million people have been displaced by the fighting.
Accountability And Protection Of Civilians
Turk urged both sides to stop attacks on civilian objects — markets, health facilities, schools and shelters — warning that repeated strikes on such infrastructure could amount to war crimes. Monitoring groups have particularly accused the RSF of grave abuses, including reports that at least 1,500 people were killed during its October seizure of el-Fasher in Darfur.
The UN rights chief called on international and local actors to prioritise civilian protection, allow unfettered humanitarian access, and ensure independent investigations into alleged violations so perpetrators are held to account.
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