Sudan: UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights - 'Int'l Pressure Had Temporary Positive Effect in North Kordofan

What the report says

The UN deputy high commissioner for human rights, Awa Dabo, told the Human Rights Council in Geneva that outside pressure over the situation in El Obeid, North Kordofan, has brought a temporary easing in violence, but that conditions remain severe. The remarks, reported by Dabanga and distributed by AllAfrica, were delivered at the Palais des Nations during the council’s 63rd session.

Dabo said the UN human rights office had documented at least 1,120 civilian deaths linked to drone attacks in Sudan in the first six months of 2026. She added that those incidents made up a large share of the civilian deaths recorded by the office, and that drone strikes fell in July after international pressure. The report said fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces continues to shape access to key routes connecting North Kordofan, El Obeid and Khartoum.

According to the account, renewed ground offensives in August worsened the situation south and east of El Obeid and further constrained water supplies. Civilians fleeing the fighting are said to be moving toward El Obeid, where aid and basic resources are under strain. Dabo also warned of violence spreading beyond North Kordofan to other parts of Sudan, including South Kordofan, Blue Nile and North Darfur.

The article also quoted Sudanese Attorney General Intisar Abdelaal saying a national committee is gathering evidence on alleged attacks blamed on the Rapid Support Forces. She said the inquiry is focusing on drone strikes and harm to civilian infrastructure, including health facilities and other public services. The broader significance is that both international monitoring and domestic investigations are now being presented as part of the response to Sudan’s expanding conflict.