On Monday, the United Nations (UN) uncovered 87 bodies in a mass grave in Darfur, the war-torn region of Sudan. The horrifying discovery follows weeks of increased violence in the region, with reports of widespread killings and destruction.
The UN said that the mass grave was located in the town of Kalma, close to the Chad border and had been sealed with concrete in an apparent attempt to conceal the evidence of the atrocity committed.
A UN statement said that some of the bodies were found to have been blindfolded and their hands tied behind their backs, suggesting that they had been killed in a cruel and calculated manner.
The UN said it was working to identify the victims and had launched an investigation into the incident.
“The United Nations condemns this gruesome act and reminds all parties to the conflict of their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect and respect civilians at all times,” it said.
The discovery of the mass grave comes as Sudanese forces and a coalition of rebel groups battle for control of the region. For years, Darfur has been mired in conflict and violence, with tens of thousands of people killed and over two million people displaced.
