The UN human rights council has given unanimous backing to a fresh, independent investigation into mass killings reported in the Sudanese city of el-Fasher. Our wake-up calls were not heeded. Bloodstains on the ground in el-Fasher have been photographed from space. The stain on the record of the international community is less visible, but no less damaging, UN human rights chief Volker Türk said at an emergency meeting in Geneva on Friday.
Since the civil war began over two years ago, more than 150,000 people have been killed and about 12 million have been forced from their homes. The new investigation is mandated to identify those who ordered and carried out the massacre in el-Fasher.
The findings could be shared with the International Criminal Court. While Türk did warn individuals and companies fueling and profiting from Sudan's war, there is disappointment that the mandate makes no mention of other countries sponsoring the conflict. The UAE is accused of shipping weapons to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group, while Iran has been accused of supplying some weapons to the Sudanese army.
Concerns also arise that the cash-strapped United Nations, already finding it hard to sustain its humanitarian work in Sudan, may not have the funds to mount a credible inquiry. El-Fasher was captured last month by the RSF following an 18-month siege. It was the last city in Darfur held by the army and its allies.
The RSF has been accused of targeting non-Arab groups in the city and elsewhere in Darfur - a claim it has denied. G7 nations have recently condemned the violence, labelling the situation as the world's largest humanitarian crisis.
Since the civil war began over two years ago, more than 150,000 people have been killed and about 12 million have been forced from their homes. The new investigation is mandated to identify those who ordered and carried out the massacre in el-Fasher.
The findings could be shared with the International Criminal Court. While Türk did warn individuals and companies fueling and profiting from Sudan's war, there is disappointment that the mandate makes no mention of other countries sponsoring the conflict. The UAE is accused of shipping weapons to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group, while Iran has been accused of supplying some weapons to the Sudanese army.
Concerns also arise that the cash-strapped United Nations, already finding it hard to sustain its humanitarian work in Sudan, may not have the funds to mount a credible inquiry. El-Fasher was captured last month by the RSF following an 18-month siege. It was the last city in Darfur held by the army and its allies.
The RSF has been accused of targeting non-Arab groups in the city and elsewhere in Darfur - a claim it has denied. G7 nations have recently condemned the violence, labelling the situation as the world's largest humanitarian crisis.
