UN rights chief calls for global action as Sudan conflict intensifies

The United Nations’ top human rights official has issued a stark warning that Sudan is sliding deeper into a humanitarian and human rights catastrophe, calling on the international community to act decisively to end the war.

Speaking to journalists in Nairobi, Kenya, after a five-day mission to Sudan, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said the ongoing conflict has devastated civilian life, crippled essential services, and pushed millions into extreme vulnerability. He warned that continued inaction risks entrenching one of the world’s most severe crises.

 

According to Türk, widespread violations, including attacks on civilians, forced displacement, and the collapse of health and food systems, have become alarmingly routine. He stressed that accountability for abuses and sustained diplomatic pressure are essential to halt the violence and prevent further deterioration.

UN News reports that Türk’s visit comes as fighting between rival military factions continues with little sign of resolution, despite repeated international appeals for ceasefires and humanitarian access. Aid agencies have warned that the scale of suffering now extends well beyond Sudan’s borders, threatening regional stability.

The UN human rights chief urged global powers and regional actors to move beyond statements of concern and translate commitments into coordinated action, saying the cost of delay is being paid daily by Sudan’s civilian population.