GENEVA – UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has issued a grave warning following credible reports of widespread extrajudicial killings by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and affiliated groups in Khartoum after the military retook control of the city on March 26.
“I am utterly appalled by the credible reports of numerous incidents of summary executions of civilians,” Türk said in a statement on Thursday. “These killings appear to be carried out on mere suspicion of collaboration with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which is a gross violation of international human rights and humanitarian law.”
Chilling Footage and Witness Accounts
The UN Human Rights Office has analyzed disturbing video evidence posted on social media, allegedly recorded in southern and eastern Khartoum. The footage shows armed men—some in SAF uniforms, others in civilian clothing—executing unarmed civilians in public. In several clips, perpetrators explicitly claim to be punishing individuals suspected of RSF affiliation.
One particularly horrific incident in the Janoub Al Hezam area involved the killing of at least 20 civilians, including one woman. Eyewitness accounts and preliminary reports have linked the perpetrators to SAF soldiers, state security forces, and SAF-aligned militias.
Rising Hate Speech and Ethnic Targeting
The violence has been compounded by a sharp rise in online hate speech and incitement. Lists of individuals accused of collaborating with the RSF have circulated widely, particularly targeting ethnic groups from Darfur and Kordofan—regions already ravaged by conflict. The High Commissioner warned that such digital incitement could lead to further atrocities.
UN's Call for Immediate Action
Türk called on all warring parties to respect the right to life, regardless of allegiance or ethnicity. “Extrajudicial killings cannot be tolerated. Those responsible—both direct perpetrators and commanders—must be brought to justice under international criminal law,” he emphasized.
He urged the Sudanese authorities to launch independent, impartial, and transparent investigations into all reported incidents, stressing the urgent need for accountability and victims’ right to justice and truth.
A Broader Pattern of Impunity
These latest events form part of a broader pattern of violence and impunity in Sudan’s civil conflict. As the SAF and RSF continue to battle for territorial and political control, civilians remain caught in the crossfire. UN agencies and human rights groups warn that without firm international pressure and credible legal processes, these cycles of violence will only deepen.
International Responsibility and Next Steps
The UN Human Rights Office reiterated its readiness to support investigations and documentation efforts, and called on the global community to demand adherence to international legal norms.
With the humanitarian crisis worsening and civilians facing indiscriminate violence, time is running out for meaningful action. The Sudanese conflict, once again, underlines the cost of unchecked impunity—and the urgent need for international solidarity with Sudan’s civilian population.