"The situation on the ground indicates preparations for escalated fighting, with all that this means for the long-suffering population," said UN human rights chief Volker Türk in a statement.
The development comes despite the RSF militia saying on Thursday it was in favor of a ceasefire proposal put forward by the US. The Sudanese national army has not yet responded to the mediators' proposal.
Several analysts have expressed doubts about whether the RSF, which has been fighting the army for just over two years, is truly ready for a ceasefire and warn that they are instead preparing an offensive eastward to capture the city of al-Ubayyid in the oil-rich province of Kordofan.
“Horrible atrocities”
Recently, RSF forces captured the town of al-Fashir – the army’s last major stronghold in western Darfur province – which has been followed by reports of mass executions and alarms of ethnic cleansing. Civilians are reportedly being prevented from leaving the town.
The approximately 7,000 people who managed to reach the nearest refugee camp, Tawila, testify to horrific experiences.
“I fear that the horrific atrocities, such as summary executions, rapes and ethnically motivated violence, will continue inside the city,” says Volker Tũrk.
Foreign interests
The war in Sudan between the army and the RSF (Rapid Support Forces) militia, which broke out in April 2023, has led to one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, with millions of people displaced from their homes and tens of thousands killed.
Both sides are accused of gross abuses and war crimes, but most observers point to RSF's warfare as particularly brutal and ruthless.
Experts warn that the civil war is being fueled by arms supplies to the parties from foreign powers with different interests. The United Arab Emirates is accused of supplying arms to the RSF, an accusation the country has denied, while the Sudanese army is said to have received support from Egypt, among others.
