The UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Alice Wairimu Nderitu, has expressed concern at “the ongoing levels of identity-based violence in a number of states in Sudan,” calling for “urgent action to halt the increasing risk of the spectre of genocide and related atrocity crimes.”
Alluding to the widespread violence in the capital Khartoum, Darfur (specifically Nyala, El Fasher, Kreinik and El Geneina), Kordofan, and Blue Nile states, Wairimu Nderitu says in a statement from New York on Tuesday: “After four months of continued fighting, with widespread human rights violations and abuses, this has led to an unacceptable level of deaths, injuries, and displacements of thousands in a conflict with strong identity-based components.”
Wairimu Nderitu reiterated her earlier concerns, expressed in her statements on 8 September 2022, 3 November 2022, and 13 June 2023, that inter-communal and ethnic-based violence, if not prevented or halted, could escalate and engulf the entire Sudan in a civil war, with high risks of genocide and related atrocity crimes being committed.
In her view, the conflict in Sudan, with a dire humanitarian situation and a concerning security vacuum and protection gap, has the capacity to trigger violence in the entire region, including along ethnic lines, which would constitute an aggravated risk of such crimes – a risk heightened by ongoing proliferation of illegal small arms and light weapons.
“In Darfur, innocent civilians are being targeted on the basis of race,” affirmed the Special Adviser.
She noted that in Darfur hundreds have reportedly been killed and many more injured in clashes between members of different tribes, in addition to looting and burning of houses, as well as attacks on medical facilities in El Geneina.
Over the past months, the statement said, the Special Adviser has received reports of large groups of armed men who perpetrated repeated attacks in that same location. “The attackers destroyed houses, including the residence of the Sultan of the Masalit tribe. She also received reports of the RSF and allied Arab militias summarily executing dozens of ethnic Masalit and injuring many more in Misterei, West Darfur,” the statement added.
“In the current highly concerning and deteriorating situation, it is essential that the international community uses all available tools to prevent any further escalation,” stated the Special Adviser, calling, especially, on the Trilateral Mechanism to take timely action.
“The African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and the United Nations Security Council have a special responsibility and must lead all possible efforts towards a stabilization of the situation and towards the attainment of the highest possible levels of protection for all populations at risk. All response mechanisms should be considered,” urged the Special Adviser.
Special Adviser Wairimu Nderitu reiterated her call on the people of Sudan, leaders, civil society, and young people alike to work together to enhance trust-building and social cohesion throughout the country.