Rhino:Agencies – Sudanese civil forces and international organizations called on the United Nations and the African Union to start planning to deploy a mission to protect civilians in Sudan.These calls coincided with the intensification of fighting in a number of regions of Sudan and the killing of hundreds of people.
Human Rights Watch emphasized that waiting for ceasefire negotiations is no longer an option in light of the dramatic deterioration of the situation.
Diplomats say the new developments could push the UN Security Council to adopt a tougher stance when it meets on Monday to discuss a report by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on steps member states should take to protect civilians.
Two days before the meeting, Guterres characterized calls by Sudanese civilians and local and international human rights groups for international intervention to protect civilians as an expression of the extreme gravity of the situation in Sudan.Human Rights Watch (HRW) warned that the recent escalation of fighting is dangerous for civilians.“Civilians continue to be tortured and summarily executed, and women and girls face widespread sexual violence,” it said.
In September, the Human Rights Council’s Commission of Inquiry on Sudan recommended the deployment of a mission to protect civilians.Observers believe that the deployment of such a mission will not be easy, but they point out that the magnitude of Sudan’s crisis and the intransigence of the warring parties are all reasons to take urgent action to protect civilians.
