UN sounds alarm on Sudan atrocities, warns of new refugee influx into Chad
November 5, 2025 (UNITED NATIONS) – The United Nations on Wednesday expressed deep alarm over mounting reports of executions, sexual violence, and other “grave violations” against civilians fleeing El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, following its capture by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) last week.
UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said local volunteers, cited by the UN humanitarian office (OCHA), have documented “executions, sexual violence, humiliation, extortion and attacks” among systematic abuses, including against people fleeing the fighting.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that nearly 82,000 people have fled El Fasher and surrounding areas since Oct. 26. Many fled towards Tawila, a town already hosting hundreds of thousands from previous attacks where “humanitarian needs far exceed available resources,” Haq said.
The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) also reported that women and girls faced “rape, abduction and other extreme violence” while escaping El Fasher.
“Other local sources report that about 1,300 people with gunshot wounds arrived in the locality of Tawila after being attacked as they escaped the city,” Haq told reporters.
The UN reiterated its call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and for all parties to uphold international humanitarian law, protect civilians, and allow “safe, unhindered passage” for humanitarian aid.
The crisis is straining neighbouring Chad, which the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said is now a “critical refuge” hosting 1.4 million refugees, mostly from Darfur.
“With escalating violence in El Fasher, another major influx into Chad is anticipated, further straining host communities,” Haq said.
UNHCR teams are pre-positioning supplies and working with partners to expand reception capacity near border areas such as Adré and Tine.
Haq warned that critical sectors in Chad, including health, water, sanitation, and protection, remain “critically under-resourced” and called on the international community to “urgently scale up support.”