New York - Khartoum: Europe and the Arabs
The United Nations has sounded the alarm about the situation in Darfur, and warned that reports of targeting civilians on the basis of their ethnic identities - if proven true - may amount to "crimes against humanity and war crimes." According to the UN news bulletin, of which we received a copy. Today dawn
The Secretary-General of the United Nations expressed grave concern about the situation in Darfur. He deplored reports of widespread violence and injuries across the region, particularly in El Geneina (Western Darfur) and other areas, including Nyala (Southern Darfur), Kutum and El Fasher (Northern Darfur), due to the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces.
The Secretary-General expressed grave concern about the growing ethnic dimension to the conflict and reports of sexual violence.
He renewed his call for both sides to stop fighting and commit to a permanent cessation of hostilities. He reminded all parties of their obligations to protect civilians.
Violations may amount to crimes against humanity
Volker Peretz, head of the United Nations Mission in Sudan, issued a statement expressing particular concern about the situation in El Geneina (Western Darfur) following the various waves of violence since late April that have taken on ethnic dimensions.
As the UN continues to collect additional details on these reports, he noted "an emerging pattern of widespread attacks targeting civilians on the basis of their ethnic identities, allegedly perpetrated by Arab militias and some armed men in RSF uniforms."
Peretz described these reports as deeply disturbing and, if verified, could amount to crimes against humanity.
The violence in Darfur is appalling
The UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Alice Nderito, expressed concern at reports that armed groups - including the Janjaweed and other armed rebel groups - are exploiting the security vacuum and protection gap in several Sudanese states.
“It is alleged that these groups have been retaliating against tribal groups based on their ties to the main parties to the conflict, the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. These attacks, if confirmed, could amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. In Darfur, hundreds have been killed and many more injured in clashes between members of different tribes, including the looting and burning of homes as well as an attack on El Geneina Hospital in West Darfur, with thousands of civilians fleeing from all communities from the conflict."
She touched on reports that "houses abandoned by members of the Masalit tribe have been occupied by Arab groups". Although tensions between tribal groups - including groups belonging to Arab tribes and the Masalit tribe - are not new to Darfur, they cannot be used as a justification for retaliation, according to the Special Adviser.
"The violence in West Darfur is appalling. If it continues, it could develop into renewed campaigns of rape, murder and ethnic cleansing that amount to atrocity crimes."
Warning of a "civil war"
  It also reported outbreaks of tribal violence and clashes in other parts of the country, including in North and South Kordofan as well as in Blue Nile states.
Left unaddressed, the Special Adviser warned, the entire country could plunge into civil war, with the high stakes of atrocity crimes.
In this context, the Special Adviser stressed the need for leaders of both sides of the conflict - the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces - to take responsibility for protecting civilians as well as respecting international human rights and humanitarian law. It also called for an urgent and unified ceasefire, and for accountability for human rights violations and abuses.

Warning that history repeats itself
The Special Adviser warned against history repeating itself regarding the situation in Sudan, pointing to "the displacement of millions of people in Darfur and the killing of thousands in acts of violence committed by the Government of Sudan and the Janjaweed militia, twenty years ago."
She referred to her statement issued in September 2022 in support of the efforts of the International Criminal Court to hold accountable the perpetrators of atrocity crimes in Darfur and went on to say:
“When the perpetrators of past atrocities are not held accountable for their actions, we are doomed to see history repeat itself. We need to unequivocally support accountability processes as we see violence resuming across Sudan, including in the states of Darfur, Blue Nile, North and South Kordofan "As the International Criminal Court continues its work in Darfur, the perpetrators must know that their actions will not go unpunished. The world is watching."
She urged the immediate investigation of human rights violations and abuses, and the perpetrators to be brought to justice.
"We can and must do more to save lives and prevent Sudan from collapsing into horrific violence," the Special Adviser concluded.