UN human rights expert visits Port Sudan amid escalating civil war and RSF power move
Nouicer's visit aims to assess the human rights situation and engage directly with stakeholders in a nation where governance, the rule of law, and basic protections have nearly collapsed.
The United Nations' designated expert on human rights in Sudan, Radhouane Nouicer, has arrived in Port Sudan for a five-day mission as the country’s devastating civil war enters its second year.
His visit aims to assess the human rights situation and engage directly with stakeholders in a nation where governance, the rule of law, and basic protections have nearly collapsed.
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Appointed by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in December 2022, Nouicer will hold meetings with Sudanese authorities, UN agencies, humanitarian partners, and civil society representatives.
He is also expected to consult displaced communities to gather firsthand accounts of abuses and forced displacement.
Symbolic weight
While Port Sudan has largely escaped the violence seen in other parts of the country, the visit carries symbolic weight, reflecting growing international concern—and perhaps frustration—over Sudan's deepening humanitarian crisis.
This is Nouicer’s third visit since his appointment. His findings will contribute to the High Commissioner's annual report to the Human Rights Council in March 2026.
The timing of the visit is significant. It comes just days after the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) announced the formation of a parallel government, escalating the power struggle with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), which controls the official government based in Port Sudan.
This development has heightened political tensions and stoked fears of a further collapse of state institutions.
Since fighting erupted in April 2023, tens of thousands have been killed and millions displaced—yet meaningful accountability remains elusive.
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