THE United Nations secretary-general warned yesterday that the war in Sudan is “spiralling out of control” after a paramilitary force seized the besieged and famine-stricken city of el-Fasher in Darfur.

Speaking in Qatar, Antonio Guterres called for an immediate ceasefire in the two-year conflict, which has become one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.

“Hundreds of thousands of civilians are trapped by this siege,” Mr Guterres said. “People are dying of malnutrition, disease and violence.”

He cited “credible reports of widespread executions since the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) entered the city.”

The paramilitary reportedly killed more than 450 people in a hospital and carried out ethnically targeted killings of civilians and sexual assaults during last week’s attack on el-Fasher.

The city had been under siege for 18 months, with food and supplies cut off to tens of thousands.

The RSF denies committing atrocities, but testimonies from survivors, along with video footage and satellite images, show scenes of devastation.

The war between the RSF and the Sudanese military began in April 2023.

UN figures estimate more than 40,000 people have been killed, though aid groups believe the real toll is much higher.

Over 14 million have been forced from their homes, while two regions are enduring famine that threatens to spread.

Asked about the role of international peacekeepers, Mr Guterres said it was crucial to unite global efforts to halt the fighting and to ensure “no more weapons come into Sudan.”

He added: “We need to create mechanisms of accountability because the crimes being committed are so horrendous.”

The UN does not currently have an arms embargo on Sudan.

There has been a partial restriction on transfers to Sudan being used in Darfur, but anti-arms campaigners warn that this is impossible to enforce.

Western countries do not directly arm the warring sides but maintain defence ties with the UAE, which has reportedly supplied weapons to the RSF through Libya, Chad and Uganda.

On Monday, seven people, including children, were killed in an RSF drone attack on a paediatric hospital in Kernoi, North Darfur, according to the Sudan Doctors Network.

Nearly 71,000 people have fled el-Fasher, with a few thousand reaching the displacement tent camp in Tawila, 40 miles away. 

Habib Allah Yakoub, 27, said he walked with his pregnant wife to the camp after their house in el-Fasher was destroyed.

“We spent two days on the road, but thank God we finally arrived,” said Mr Yakoub, who said he was shot in the arm while trying to get water shortly before they fled.

Samiya Ibrahim, 38, said RSF gunmen had besieged the house where she was hiding with her children and husband.

They eventually escaped, but her husband got separated from the others.

“The RSF had beaten and tortured us. They took all our belongings and did not leave us anything,” Ms Ibrahim said.

“Up till today, I have no idea where my husband is and whether he is alive or dead.”

She and the children walked for several days to Garni, a village on a key humanitarian supply route 18 miles away.