The United Nations has warned of a looming humanitarian disaster in Sudan’s South Kordofan and Blue Nile states amid escalating violence.
Clementine Nkweta-Salami, the UN humanitarian coordinator for Sudan, said clashes in Kadugli, South Kordofan, have killed at least 80 civilians and left many others wounded.
“I strongly condemn reports indicating that women and children are being used as human shields in Kadugli,” Salami said in a statement. She also denounced the obstruction of humanitarian aid and the detention of civilians, including children.
The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), led by Abdelaziz al-Hilu, said on Tuesday that it had repelled an attack by General al-Burhan’s army (SAF), which allegedly used displaced civilians as human shields, forcing them from Kadugli to the “Hajar al-Mak” area near SPLM-N-controlled territory.
In Blue Nile state, Salami highlighted urgent humanitarian needs, warning of rising violence and reports of mass mobilization amid the conflict.
“This is a critical moment, as the consequences of food insecurity are already evident in parts of South Kordofan, where families are surviving on extremely limited supplies and malnutrition rates are soaring,” the UN statement read.
The UN has called on all parties to de-escalate tensions, protect civilians and infrastructure, and uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law. It urged warring factions to ensure unrestricted humanitarian access to those in desperate need.
