Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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January 18, 2026 Human rights
Despite the unprecedented scale of violence, Sudanese people maintain their spirit of struggle for peace, justice, and freedom. This was stated by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, speaking in Nairobi, Kenya, following his official visit to Sudan. He warned of the risk of mass atrocities in Kordofan and called for the immediate protection of civilians.
Türk spent five days in Sudan, visiting Port Sudan, Dongola, and the districts of Ad-Dabba and Merowe in Northern State. He met with government officials, civil society representatives, humanitarian organizations, journalists, lawyers, and people who fled the violence in El Fasher in North Darfur.
Youth on the front lines
Turk spoke about young Sudanese who are helping their communities.
One civil society leader told him: “We cannot stop the war, but we will do everything possible to save the lives of civilians.”
Another volunteer noted, "The price of war is being paid by the youth. Sudanese youth are on the front lines of this war."
The High Commissioner also met with women who lead organizations providing legal and humanitarian assistance to women victims of the Sudanese violence and human rights violations during the war.
Abductions and sexual violence
During his visit, the High Commissioner met with Hawa (not her real name), who was pursuing a master's degree in psychology when she was forced to flee El Fasher following the death of her 19-year-old son. Along the way, she said, she was robbed and beaten, and her husband was kidnapped and tortured for ransom by members of the Rapid Intervention Forces.
According to the High Commissioner, those involved in the conflict and those who arm, finance, and profit from the war must hear the testimony of 20-year-old Aisha (not her real name): “On October 20, we fled El Fasher on a donkey cart—it was the only means of transport we could afford. On the way to the village of Garni, we saw many bodies. We encountered armed men on camels who ordered, ‘Give us the women.’ My brother tried to stop them. He was shot in the legs. My mother burst into tears and said, ‘Leave my children, take me instead.’ They hit her, took me away, and told me to keep quiet or they would kill my mother. And then… what happened happened. I haven’t menstruated since.”
The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has documented numerous cases of sexual violence in El Fasher, on the escape routes from it, and in the nearby Zamzam camp.
The situation in Kordofan is alarming.
The High Commissioner expressed serious concern the situation in Kordofan, comparing it to the crisis in El Fasher before its capture. He noted that the capital of South Kordofan, Kadugli, is already facing a siege, mass displacement, and the risk of full-scale famine.
Volker Türk called on all parties to the conflict to ensure the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, guarantee the safe exit of populations from combat zones, and ensure unimpeded access for humanitarian aid.
"Let human rights be the foundation of trust, ending war, and building sustainable peace. This is difficult – but not impossible, given the strength and resilience of the Sudanese people," the High Commissioner said.
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