IGAD demands action to protect civilians as Sudan conflict escalates
Al Fashir, the last stronghold of the Sudanese military in Darfur, has been under siege for over a year, with nearly a million people facing famine as RSF forces block aid and enforce almost daily shelling.
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has strongly condemned the escalating violence in Al Fashir, North Darfur, warning that civilians are facing extreme hardship as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) consolidate control of the city.
On Tuesday, October 28, 2025, IGAD Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu expressed deep concern over the worsening situation, emphasising that the protection of civilians and respect for international humanitarian law must remain a priority.
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“The Executive Secretary of IGAD, Workneh Gebeyehu, expresses deep concern over the worsening situation in El Fasher, North Darfur, following reports that the RSF have taken control of the city,” the statement read.
Workneh condemned all acts of violence against civilians and urged an immediate cessation of hostilities while calling on all parties to prioritise the safety of innocent lives.
“The suffering of civilians in Sudan must end,” he said, noting that all sides have “a moral and legal duty to respect international humanitarian law, protect lives, and allow unhindered humanitarian access.”
He further called on regional and international partners to act swiftly to support humanitarian efforts and facilitate dialogue toward lasting peace.
The city has endured devastating attacks, including the shelling of the al Arqam Home, a shelter for displaced families. At least 53 people were killed in the strike, including 14 children and 15 women, while another 21 were injured, according to the Sudan Doctors' Network.
The group described the attack as a “massacre” and a continuation of a scorched-earth approach targeting civilians.
The UN Human Rights Office has also reported widespread abuses, including executions, sexual violence, and attacks on aid workers.
Between October 22 and 26, dozens of unarmed men were executed, and civilians delivering food were targeted.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk warned that the risk of further ethnically motivated atrocities is rising.
Al Fashir, the last stronghold of the Sudanese military in Darfur, has been under siege for over a year, with nearly a million people facing famine as RSF forces block aid and enforce almost daily shelling.
The RSF has reinforced the city’s isolation with a raised earth berm, aiming to secure full control of Darfur as a base for its parallel administration.
The RSF, originally a government-backed paramilitary group, is now in open conflict with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).
The civil war, which erupted in April 2023, has displaced more than 14 million people and caused tens of thousands of deaths.
Both IGAD and the UN stress that accountability for human rights violations is critical to ending Sudan’s cycle of violence and achieving sustainable peace.
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