Ahmad 
A UN investigation team has uncovered “horrific killings and sexual violence” in Sudan, according to detailed testimonies provided by survivors of the conflict in neighboring Chad.
Members of the recently established UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission in Sudan spent three weeks in Chad where they met with survivors and observers and documented “worrying patterns” of grave violations.
Mona Rishmawi, a member of the mission, stressed the need to stop these atrocities and hold their perpetrators accountable.
The mission, which was established by the United Nations Human Rights Council late last year, reported that it had observed “arbitrary detention, torture, and enforced disappearances,” in addition to “looting, burning homes, and recruiting children.”
The investigators noted that the violations targeted professionals such as lawyers, human rights defenders, teachers, and doctors, and that “forced displacement was a common denominator.”
Sudan has been witnessing a war since April 2023 between the army and the Rapid Support Forces, with both sides accused of committing war crimes and targeting civilians.
The conflict left tens of thousands dead and caused the displacement of millions, in addition to one million people fleeing to neighboring countries, including more than 600,000 to Chad.
The independent experts called on the international community to intensify efforts to end the war, and the head of the mission, Muhammad Chandi Othman, said: “This crisis requires the support of the entire international community.”
Dozens were killed in violent artillery shelling near Khartoum