UN warns of 'imminent risk of mass atrocities' in Sudan, urges RSF to halt assault on El-Obeid

The United Nations Security Council has expressed alarm over the situation in Sudan's city of El-Obeid, warning of an "imminent risk of mass atrocities" and demanding that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) immediately stop their assault on the city.

El-Obeid, a majority-Muslim city in the Kordofan region, has been surrounded for several months by the RSF, which has been fighting Sudan's regular army since April 2023.

Security Council calls for fighting to stop

"The members of the Security Council expressed concern at the imminent risk of mass atrocities and demanded the RSF immediately halt its assault on El-Obeid," the Security Council said in a statement.

The UN has previously voiced fears that atrocities committed during the October 2025 assault on El-Fasher could be repeated in El-Obeid. It said the violence in El-Fasher bore the "hallmarks of genocide".

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The UN said on Friday that Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Sudan, Pekka Haavisto, had spoken to RSF chief Mohamed Hamdan Daglo and urged him not to attack El-Obeid.

According to Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Haavisto "underscored the need to urgently de-escalate the situation in El-Obeid and avoid any actions that may further worsen the already dire humanitarian situation and put civilian lives further at risk."

Dujarric said humanitarian agencies were preparing for the possible displacement of large numbers of people from the city.

He said aid workers were "preparing for the potential movements of large numbers of people" and that "our humanitarian colleagues are doing the responsible thing, which is getting ready for the worst while hoping for the best."

Conflict has displaced millions

Dujarric added that Haavisto was also engaging with countries that have influence over the warring parties in an effort to encourage dialogue and prevent an assault on El-Obeid.

The conflict in Sudan has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced more than 11 million people from their homes, creating what the UN has described as the world's largest displacement and hunger crises.