Last week, a UN fact-finding mission for Sudan called for an independent and impartial force to be deployed "without delay" to protect civilians. Its case would not have been harmed by reports this week of a new set of grave human rights violations in the country. In southeastern Sennar state, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) were accused of killing 40 people in artillery strikes on local markets and residential areas, while in North Darfur's famine-stricken Zam Zam displacement site, the RSF reportedly tightened a siege and arrested traders trying to supply the camp.

New reporting also emerged of earlier abuses, including the killing by the RSF and allied militias of over 70 civilians in the North Darfur town of Kutum in June 2023, and there was renewed concern about damage to Sudan's cultural identity amid the looting of tens of thousands of precious artefacts from museums. The war began in April 2023 and has produced the world's largest displacement and hunger crises. Recent mediation efforts have failed, with the army refusing to turn up and the RSF using its attendance to try to launder its terrible image.

From The New Humanitarian, Sept. 13. Some internal links added.