GENEVA

As the conflict in Sudan marked its first anniversary, the UN human rights chief on Monday warned of "a further escalation in violence" in the country amid an increase in the number of armed groups joining the fighting.

"Civilians have already suffered immensely and with reports over the weekend of an imminent attack on El-Fasher, North Darfur, there is an alarming risk of further violations and abuses against civilians amid a still worsening humanitarian crisis across the country," Volker Turk said in a statement.

"The fighting must end," Turk said.

He said that three armed groups have announced joining the conflict on the side of the Sudanese Armed Forces, and there are reports that both they and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces are now arming civilians.

According to Turk, the recent arrest warrants against leading civilian figures, including former Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok, on charges that "do not appear to be substantiated" also risk exacerbating the situation.

"To give a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict a chance, a contraction rather than an expansion in the number of armed actors is needed," he said.

He also called on Sudanese authorities to immediately revoke the arrest warrants against Hamdok and other civilian leaders and prioritize confidence-building measures toward a cease-fire as "a first step.," followed by a comprehensive resolution of the conflict and the restoration of a civilian government.

The war in Sudan broke out on April 15, 2023 over disagreements to integrate the RSF into the army between the army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.

The conflict has caused a devastating humanitarian crisis, and clashes have killed nearly 16,000 people and displaced millions.