Sudan on brink of ‘explosion into chaos,’ mass famine, U.N. Warns
February 27, 2025 (GENEVA) – Sudan is teetering on the edge of a catastrophic escalation in violence and a devastating famine that could claim hundreds of thousands of lives, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk warned on Thursday.
The ongoing conflict, marked by widespread human rights abuses and a collapsing humanitarian situation, threatens regional stability.
Since fighting erupted in 2023, Sudan has become the world’s largest humanitarian and displacement crisis. “We are looking into the abyss,” Türk stated, highlighting the desperate plight of the Sudanese people.
More than 600,000 people are facing imminent starvation, with famine already reported in five areas, including the Zamzam displacement camp in North Darfur. The World Food Programme recently suspended operations in Zamzam due to intense fighting, further jeopardizing food security. An additional five areas are projected to face famine within the next three months, and 17 more are at high risk.
The conflict has displaced an estimated 8.8 million people within Sudan, while another 3.5 million have fled to neighbouring countries. A staggering 30.4 million people – a significant portion of Sudan’s population – require humanitarian assistance. Less than 30% of hospitals and clinics remain operational, and disease outbreaks are rampant in overcrowded displacement camps.
Türk’s briefing detailed “grave and flagrant violations of international humanitarian and human rights law,” including indiscriminate attacks on civilians, summary executions, and widespread sexual violence. More than half of reported rape cases involved gang rape, suggesting its use as a weapon of war. Underreporting is significant due to stigma, fear, and institutional collapse.
Child recruitment by both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militias is also a major concern, often driven by poverty and school closures. At least 12 journalists were killed during the reporting period. Some documented acts may amount to war crimes.
The High Commissioner renewed calls to Lt-General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, commander of the SAF, and General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commander of the RSF, to negotiate an immediate ceasefire, protect civilians, and ensure humanitarian access.
The international community was urged to exert coordinated diplomatic pressure to find a path to peace. Specific calls included ensuring compliance with the existing arms embargo on Darfur and considering its expansion to the entire country.
There are 8.8 million people that have been internally displaced within Sudan. 3.5 million more Sudanese have fled across borders. 30.4 million need assistance.
Over 600,000 people are on the brink of starvation.
Türk emphasized the critical need for accountability, urging independent investigations into all alleged violations. He warned that Sudan’s strategic location risks destabilizing the Horn of Africa and the Sahel, and the influx of weapons from outside the country exacerbates the crisis.