Updated: 30 June 2026 17:30:55
Countries Seek Urgent UN Debate on El-Obeid
Moatinoon
The United Nations Human Rights Council has received a request to hold an urgent debate on the situation in El-Obeid, the capital of Sudans North Kordofan State, amid growing international concern over the risk of large-scale fighting that could endanger hundreds of thousands of civilians.
Speaking at a press briefing in Geneva on Tuesday, Human Rights Council spokesperson Pascal Sim said the request, submitted by several countries including the United Kingdom and Germany, is expected to be considered on Friday.
The request follows reports that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied groups have been massing troops around El-Obeid, while the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have reinforced their positions inside the city, raising fears of a major escalation in the conflict.
Meanwhile, a coalition of Sudanese civil society organizations issued an urgent appeal calling for an immediate, nationwide humanitarian truce, warning that the military escalation in Kordofan—particularly around El-Obeid—could trigger another humanitarian catastrophe similar to that witnessed in El-Fasher.
The organizations said El-Obeid, home to an estimated 500,000 residents and nearly 100,000 internally displaced people, is showing clear early warning signs of a large-scale humanitarian crisis. They noted that civilians have already been affected by drone attacks targeting fuel stations, fuel tankers, and the citys power station, causing electricity outages, disrupting water supplies, and worsening shortages of food, medicine, and fuel.
They also warned that continued military operations threaten hospitals, health facilities, United Nations offices, and national and international humanitarian organizations, undermining their ability to deliver life-saving assistance.
The organizations welcomed recent warnings issued by the UN Human Rights Council, the UN Security Council, and several governments regarding the risks facing El-Obeid, but stressed that the international community must move beyond issuing warnings and take preventive action before it is too late.
They called on all parties to the conflict to declare an immediate, comprehensive, and unconditional humanitarian truce across Sudan, halt military operations in cities and populated areas, refrain from targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, and ensure safe and unhindered access for humanitarian aid, fuel, and medical supplies.
The appeal also urged the UN Security Council, the United Nations, the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the international Quad and Quint mechanisms, the League of Arab States, the European Union, and countries with influence over the warring parties to intensify diplomatic efforts to secure a nationwide humanitarian ceasefire and establish an independent mechanism to monitor its implementation.
The organizations emphasized that protecting civilians is a legal obligation under international humanitarian law, warning that deliberate or indiscriminate attacks against civilians and civilian objects, attacks on critical infrastructure, and other serious violations may amount to war crimes or other international crimes requiring independent investigation and accountability.
They concluded that the situation in El-Obeid represents "a clear early warning that must not be ignored," urging both regional and international actors to act swiftly to prevent the city from becoming the scene of another devastating humanitarian disaster.
