Civil society groups have issued an urgent call for international action to prevent potential atrocities in el-Obeid, Sudan, as fears grow that paramilitary forces are preparing to attack the city.
Thirty-eight NGOs released an open letter on June 26, 2026, urging the United Nations Human Rights Council to take decisive steps towards atrocity prevention and accountability.
The letter demands that the UN convene an urgent debate, send a fact-finding mission, and advance accountability for violations committed in Sudan. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have encircled el-Obeid for months, intensifying fears of an imminent ground offensive.
El-Obeid, a strategic hub in the South Kordofan region, has faced 18 months of siege-like conditions, leading to a dire humanitarian situation.
The NGOs, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, warned that the situation mirrors the October 2025 assault on el-Fasher, which the UN described as having “hallmarks of genocide.” The letter emphasizes the need for the rights council to act during its ongoing session, which concludes on July 7, or to hold a special session on the crisis soon after.
It calls for an independent UN fact-finding mission to conduct an urgent inquiry into the situation.
In light of credible reports of risks of atrocity crimes and further violations throughout Sudan, the NGOs urged member states to unequivocally condemn external actors supporting the warring parties, specifically mentioning the United Arab Emirates.
Khartoum has repeatedly accused Abu Dhabi of supplying arms to the RSF, a claim the UAE has denied, despite numerous international reports suggesting its involvement.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and displaced over 12 million people, according to UN estimates.
The NGOs stress the importance of holding accountable those who have committed or enabled violations that may constitute crimes under international law, underscoring the urgent need for international intervention to avert further atrocities.
