UN Expert Warns of Escalating Human Rights Crisis in Sudan Amid Ongoing War

As Sudan’s civil conflict grinds on with no clear end in sight, Radhouane Nouicer, the Designated Expert on human rights in Sudan for the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), has raised grave concerns about the intensifying humanitarian catastrophe and systematic human rights abuses taking place across the country.

Following a visit to Port Sudan that concluded on 31 July 2025, Nouicer offered a harrowing assessment of the toll the conflict continues to exact on civilians, and called for urgent international action to stem the crisis.

Alarming Deterioration in Civilian Protection

“Every day the conflict continues in Sudan, innocent lives are lost, communities are torn apart, and trauma continues to haunt generations,” Nouicer warned. “The ongoing war has devastated civilian lives and turned daily survival into a constant struggle.”

The UN expert underscored that widespread violations of human rights and international humanitarian law persist across the country, including:

• Extrajudicial killings

• Sexual and gender-based violence

• Arbitrary detention

• Forced displacement

• Restricted access to humanitarian aid

Nouicer stressed that the human rights situation is “deteriorating at an alarming pace,” especially in regions that have become flashpoints in the conflict, such as Darfur, Kordofan, and the besieged city of El Fasher.

Encounters with Sudanese Officials and Victims

During his trip, Nouicer met with several Sudanese government officials, including:

• The Minister of Justice

• The Attorney General

• The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs

• The Governor of the Darfur Region

These meetings, described as frank and respectful, were focused on pressing issues that Nouicer had also raised during his prior mission to Sudan in July 2024—issues that remain unresolved and require immediate action.

These include:

• Civilian protection and legal accountability

• Safeguarding civic space for civil society actors

• Guaranteeing access to humanitarian assistance

In a particularly sobering encounter, Nouicer visited a site for internally displaced women-led households, where he listened to firsthand accounts of how the war has impacted displaced communities. He heard from women and people with disabilities, many of whom face immense challenges in fleeing violence and surviving in areas with little to no access to basic services.

Humanitarian Access Blocked, Crisis Worsens

Nouicer expressed deep concern over the restricted humanitarian access to conflict zones, particularly in areas like El Fasher and Kordofan, where humanitarian needs have skyrocketed. The imminent rainy season, he cautioned, will only deepen the crisis.

“The coming rainy season will further exacerbate the crisis for millions of displaced persons, turning an already dire situation into a disaster,” he said, highlighting the urgent need for unfettered humanitarian aid to reach the hardest-hit populations.

A Call for Justice, Not Just Peace Talks

While acknowledging the importance of ceasefires and dialogue, Nouicer made clear that sustainable peace in Sudan demands more than just negotiations between warring parties.

“The path forward demands more than ceasefires and peace talks. It requires a sustained commitment to justice, accountability, and inclusive governance.”

He called on the international community to move beyond observation and take active steps, including:

• Enforcing the arms embargo to prevent the continued flow of weapons into the conflict

• Supporting grassroots peacebuilders and local mediation initiatives

• Ensuring safe and unhindered humanitarian access to those in need

A Plea for Peace, Justice, and Return

Nouicer reiterated that only a peaceful, negotiated resolution can restore normalcy in Sudan. Such a solution must include provisions to:

• End the violence

• Reopen schools and restore children’s education

• Facilitate the safe return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees

• Protect the social fabric and diversity of Sudanese communities

In closing, Nouicer’s message was not just a warning, but a plea: for the Sudanese leadership to prioritize people over power, and for the international community to act decisively in support of Sudan’s long-suffering population.

Sudan’s Protracted Crisis

Sudan has been embroiled in a devastating internal conflict since April 2023, when clashes erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). What began as a power struggle quickly evolved into a nationwide humanitarian disaster. The war has displaced over 8 million people, according to UN figures, and led to the near-total collapse of healthcare, education, and infrastructure in many parts of the country.

With international diplomatic efforts faltering and the conflict showing no signs of abating, Nouicer’s visit and subsequent warning come at a critical juncture for Sudan—and for global responsibility.