UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Urges al-Burhan and Dagalo to Calm Situation in El Fasher

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The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has called on Sudanese Army Commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Rapid Support Forces Commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo to take immediate and public action to deescalate the situation in El Fasher. This appeal was made in a statement issued today, Friday, by Ravina Shamdasani, the spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The High Commissioner warned the two leaders that fighting in El Fasher, where over 1.8 million residents and internally displaced persons are currently trapped and facing imminent famine, would have catastrophic consequences for civilians and exacerbate tribal conflicts with devastating humanitarian impacts.

According to the statement, High Commissioner Türk made his appeal to the commanders in two separate phone calls, marking his first direct conversation with them since November 2022.

The statement read, "The High Commissioner expressed his concern over the escalation in El Fasher and the continuing widespread impact of the conflict across Sudan during separate phone calls on Tuesday this week with General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council and Commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces, and General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, Commander of the Rapid Support Forces. He urged them to act immediately and publicly to deescalate the situation."

The statement added that the High Commissioner urged both parties to immediately resume ceasefire negotiations, facilitate comprehensive humanitarian access to areas under their control, and reminded them of their obligations under international humanitarian law to strictly adhere to the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution. He also called for an end to ongoing violations and accountability for breaches of international humanitarian law and international human rights law committed by their forces and allies.