UN condemns deadly attack in Sudanese capital
Port Sudan, Sudan (PANA) - The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, Clementine Nkweta-Salami, has strongly condemned a shelling of a crowded marketplace in Khartoum leading to the death of dozens civilians and said those responsible should be held accountable.
“I strongly condemn the horrific indiscriminate strike on the Sabreen Market and attacks on several residential neighbourhoods in Omdurman, Khartoum State, on 1 February 2025, which reportedly left at least 60 people dead and more than 150 injured,” the UN official said in a statement.
The statement did name the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) as the perpetrators against an area under the full control of the army.
“I also deplore the appalling reported killing of scores of civilians in attacks in Al Obeid and Um Rawaba in North Kordofan State, as well as North Darfur and South Darfur states, between 30 January and 1 February 2025,” the statement added. Those areas also under government control, some of which have been under siege by the RSF for months.
Nkweta-Salami said these attacks constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law. The perpetrators of these grave offences must be held accountable.
“The deliberate targeting of civilian areas represents a blatant disregard for human life and the most basic principles of the laws of war. Such atrocities must cease immediately.”
The official renewed the UN's call to all sides involved in the war to avoid targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure and to uphold their responsibilities under international humanitarian law by using every possible measure to protect civilians.
“The suffering of Sudanese civilians has gone on for too long. It’s long past time to end this war and prevent further devastation,” Nkweta-Salami said.
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