International Response to Human Rights Concerns in El Obeid
On July 6, 2026, the United Nations Human Rights Council took a significant step by adopting a resolution that calls for an urgent inquiry into alleged human rights violations and war crimes occurring in and around the Sudanese city of El Obeid. This decision marks a critical moment in the ongoing crisis, as it directly assigns the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan the responsibility of investigating the situation in the capital of North Kordofan.
The resolution emphasizes the need for an independent investigation into the conditions faced by civilians in El Obeid, where residents have endured 18 months of siege-like circumstances. The mission is tasked with gathering evidence and providing a comprehensive report on the events unfolding in the region.
Despite the resolution’s adoption, the Sudanese government expressed its opposition during the session. Hassan Hamid, Sudan’s permanent representative to Geneva, voiced concerns over the mission’s mandate, particularly highlighting the issue of equating the Sudanese army with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Since the mission’s establishment in October 2023, Sudan has consistently refused to cooperate with the fact-finding body.
However, the resolution was ultimately adopted by consensus, with the session chaired by the United Kingdom. While Hamid opposed the specific aspects of the mandate, he acknowledged other parts of the resolution, including the condemnation of RSF actions and the rejection of any parallel governing structures in RSF-controlled territories.
Ahmed Tugod Lisan, the spokesperson for the RSF-led Tasis coalition, responded to international demands for a unilateral halt to military operations. Lisan argued that international humanitarian law does not prohibit attacking cities, asserting that El Obeid contains legitimate military targets such as bases and ammunition depots. According to Lisan, these targets do not lose their status due to the presence of civilians.
The planned escalation of military operations poses a severe threat to the lives of over 560,000 civilians and 105,000 internally displaced persons in El Obeid. As a vital commercial and humanitarian hub, the city plays a crucial role in the region. A ground assault could result in the complete disruption of aid delivery to South and West Kordofan, as well as parts of Darfur.
The UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan is mandated to provide updates on its urgent inquiry into the El Obeid crisis to both the Human Rights Council and the UN General Assembly during their upcoming sessions. This ongoing effort aims to ensure transparency and accountability in the face of the escalating conflict.
