Urgent meeting in Geneva amid escalating concerns for civilians in El Obeid

1 July 2026 (PEN) The United Nations announced that the Human Rights Council will hold an urgent debate on Friday, 3 July, to discuss the human rights situation in the city of El Obeid and surrounding areas in North Kordofan State, in the context of the ongoing conflict in Sudan.

The session comes in response to a formal request submitted by a group of countries, including Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway and the United Kingdom.

The group said in its request that this measure had become necessary because of the risk of potential escalation on the ground, where some 500,000 civilians face the risk of widespread violations that could amount to mass atrocities.

She added that the increase in drone attacks has led to the destruction of civilian infrastructure, caused severe shortages of fuel and water, and resulted in civilian casualties.

She noted that these developments come under conditions akin to a siege, trapping thousands of people inside the city of Al-Abyad and cutting off their basic services.

The group explained that it would submit a draft resolution for adoption by the members of the Human Rights Council as a way out of the urgent debate.

War broke out in Sudan in mid-April 2023 between the army and the Rapid Support Forces, following disagreements over arrangements for integrating the latter into the military establishment as part of the political transition process.

The conflict has caused tens of thousands of deaths and the displacement and refuge of millions, in addition to a widespread deterioration in humanitarian conditions and basic services, amid faltering regional and international efforts to reach a permanent ceasefire and a political settlement.