The United Nations has stated that the grave human rights abuses that occurred in al-Fashir, Sudan, in October might have been prevented had their warnings been heeded. Volker Türk, the UN's human rights chief, highlighted that for more than a year, his office had alerted the international community about the risks of mass atrocities in the besieged city. These alarms, however, went unrecognized, resulting in disastrous consequences for the local population.

Following the takeover of al-Fashir by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), there were alarming reports of massacres, torture, sexual violence, and other abuses against civilians. Thousands were reportedly killed, and tens of thousands were displaced, painting a grim picture of the humanitarian crisis unfolding. Türk's comments come in the backdrop of a lengthy civil war in Sudan that has generated significant instability and suffering across various regions.

Moreover, Türk has warned that similar atrocities might occur in the Kordofan region, where in just the past two weeks, approximately 90 civilians have been killed in drone strikes. The ongoing civil war, which has persisted since April 2023, has displaced nearly eleven million people, exacerbating the humanitarian situation leading to food scarcity and potential famine in several affected areas. The warnings of the UN highlight the urgent need for international intervention and support to prevent further crises in Sudan.