The United Nations has stepped up its efforts to prevent an escalation of violence in Sudan, particularly in the major city of El-Obeid, as concerns grow over a potential offensive led by rebel paramilitary forces. On Friday, the UN Secretary-General’s special envoy for Sudan, Pekka Haavisto, reached out to General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, the head of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), in a bid to de-escalate tensions.
During their phone conversation, Haavisto made a “very strong appeal” for the RSF to refrain from launching any attacks on El-Obeid, where the UN has warned of a worsening humanitarian crisis. Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Stephane Dujarric, emphasized that Haavisto highlighted the urgent need for actions that would protect civilian lives and improve the increasingly desperate situation in the area.
As tensions mount, humanitarian organizations are bracing for significant movements of displaced populations from El-Obeid, which has been under siege by the RSF for months. Aid workers are actively preparing for a potential humanitarian fallout, with plans in place to assist large numbers of people who might flee the city.
The city is situated in the Kordofan region and has seen ongoing conflict since April 2023, when hostilities escalated between the RSF and the regular army. The UN is particularly concerned about the prospect of atrocities reminiscent of the October 2025 assault on El-Fasher, an event that raised alarms due to its characteristics that bore “hallmarks of genocide.”
In addition to direct communication with RSF leadership, Haavisto is also engaging with countries that have influence over the warring factions. The goal is to foster dialogue and seek a peaceful resolution to the conflict, which has already claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced over 11 million people. The situation in Sudan continues to be labeled as the world’s largest crisis of displacement and hunger, prompting urgent appeals for assistance from international organizations.
