The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has called for an immediate halt to hostilities in and around El Obeid, Sudan, following reports of increased military mobilisation and drone attacks targeting the city amid an already difficult humanitarian situation.
In a statement on Monday, the organisation warned that further escalation could deepen suffering among Sudanese civilians and weaken efforts to find a peaceful solution to the ongoing conflict.
IGAD said it was concerned about the rising military activities in El Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan State, including the reported deployment of forces and drone attacks against the city.
“This escalation comes at a time when Sudan is already facing a severe humanitarian crisis, and further deterioration of the security situation risks deepening human suffering and undermining efforts towards peace and stability,” IGAD said.
The regional organisation called on all parties involved in the conflict to immediately stop hostilities and suspend military operations in and around El Obeid.
“The Secretariat cautions that continued escalation will further diminish prospects for a peaceful resolution of the conflict and aggravate the humanitarian and security challenges confronting the Sudanese people,” reads the statement.
IGAD urged all sides to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure while respecting their responsibilities under International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law.
The organisation also called for direct and meaningful talks between the parties without conditions, maintaining that the conflict cannot be resolved through military action.
“IGAD further calls upon the parties to engage in genuine and constructive dialogue without preconditions, reaffirming its longstanding position that there can be no military solution to the conflict in Sudan,” reads the statement.
“IGAD stands in solidarity with the people of Sudan and renews its appeal to all parties to exercise maximum restraint, demonstrate political responsibility, and place the interests, security, and future of the Sudanese people above all other considerations.”
El Obeid, a key city in Sudan’s Kordofan region, has been under siege for several months as fighting continues between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), who have been engaged in conflict since April 2023.
The latest warning comes amid concerns that violence in El Obeid could mirror the situation in El Fasher, where a 2024 offensive was described by United Nations officials as showing “hallmarks of genocide.”
The United Nations Security Council has also warned of an “imminent risk of mass atrocities” in Sudan and called on the RSF to stop its advance towards El Obeid.
In a statement on Saturday, members of the Security Council expressed concern over the rising violence and urged all parties to end fighting and protect civilians.
“The members of the Security Council expressed concern about the imminent risk of mass atrocities and demanded the RSF immediately halt its assault on El Obeid,” reads the statement.
The warning came as the RSF moved closer to North Kordofan’s capital, a strategically located city linking central and western Sudan.
It followed a call by United Nations Secretary General António Guterres urging the international community to push Sudan’s warring parties to prevent further bloodshed.
He warned against a repeat of abuses reported during the RSF’s takeover of Al-Fashir in the Darfur region late last year. According to the UN human rights office, more than 6,000 people were killed in the city over three days.
Sudan has been caught in a civil war for more than three years, with the SAF, led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, fighting the RSF, commanded by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, over control of the country.
The United Nations has described the conflict as the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. More than 11.5 million people have been displaced by the fighting, while about half of Sudan’s population is facing hunger.
Human rights organisations have accused both sides of committing serious violations during the conflict.
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