The United Nations yesterday Friday expressed grave concern over the rapidly rising number of civilian deaths in the Sudan, blaming the warring sides for their inability or unwillingness to protect residents.

“Indiscriminate attacks, as well as threats and attacks against civilians, must stop immediately,” UN High Commissioner for Human Rights spokesman Saif Magago said.

The Sudanese army, at war with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023, has been waging an offensive on several axes in recent weeks to regain full control of the capital Khartoum.

The High Commissioner stressed that the UN was able to verify at least 275 civilian deaths between 31 January and 5 February, following artillery bombardments, airstrikes and drone attacks in Khartoum, as well as in North Darfur, South Darfur, North Kordofan and South Kordofan states.

The figure is triple the “already high number” of 89 civilian deaths recorded last week, he continued. He was quick to clarify that the actual casualty figures are likely much higher than those he manages to verify.

“The rapid increase in the number of civilian deaths underscores the grave dangers civilians have faced due to the continued inability of the warring sides and their allies to protect civilians,” Saif Magago noted.

“The Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces – and the movements and militias allied with them – must respect their obligations under international law and take tangible steps to protect civilians (…) including humanitarian workers and human rights defenders,” he added.

The war in Sudan, still raging as of 15 April 2023, has claimed the lives of tens if not hundreds of thousands of people, uprooted more than 12 million others and brought the African nation’s population to the brink of starvation.