The causes of the war in Sudan are not solely political; they also have their roots in ethnic tensions that date back before the military coup in 2021. The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are engaged in a power struggle. Both the army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF commander, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalom, are seeking control of the country.
The conflict, which originated in the capital city of Khartoum, has subsequently spread to other regions, including Darfur. The impact on civilians has been catastrophic. As Aljazeera has reported, the conflict has resulted in the deaths of approximately 16,000 individuals. The United Nations (UN) estimates that over 11 million individuals have been forced to relocate, with many seeking refuge in South Sudan, which is considered a safer alternative. In total, approximately 25 million individuals, representing nearly half of Sudan’s population, are currently in need of humanitarian assistance.
One of the most notable recent developments in the conflict occurred on June 29th, when the RSF launched an assault on the town of Sinja. This assault not only resulted in further displacement but also contributed to the exacerbation of Sudan’s severe hunger crisis. The report of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) (June 27, 2024) showed a 45% increase in the number of people facing famine compared to the latest report (December 2023). Ongoing violence has disrupted food distribution and agricultural activities, resulting in a widespread lack of food security. This is due to displacement leading to disruption of supply routes, collapse of markets and difficulties in agricultural production. Adverse weather conditions also have an impact.
In response to the worsening humanitarian crisis, the UN has conducted discussions to increase relief aid and protect civilians. The object was facilitating the coordination of international assistance and advising strategies for mitigating the impact of the conflict on the Sudanese population. UN Geneva spokesperson Alessandra Vellucci asserted that immediate intervention is imperative, given the alarming deterioration of the humanitarian situation and the intensifying impact of the war on civilians.
In a statement released following his recent visit to Port Sudan, Radhouane Nouicer, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights' Designated Expert on Sudan, warned about the human rights violations he had observed. Civilians are subjected to indiscriminate attacks in populated areas, and many are arbitrarily arrested and detained. Furthermore, displaced communities have reported that they have endured limited access to essential services, including water, sanitation, and hygiene. The UN World Food Programme has indicated that it will expand its interventions, which currently provide 2,200 metric tons of food.
The situation remains challenging, and sustained efforts are necessary to address the urgent needs of those affected by the war.
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To read more, please visit:
- https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/07/1152026
- After a year of war in Sudan, what is the situation now? | Conflict News | Al Jazeera
- IPC_Sudan_Acute_Food_Insecurity_Snapshot_Jun2024_Feb2025.pdf (ipcinfo.org)
- Senior Management Team | The United Nations Office at Geneva (ungeneva.org)
- Sudan: UN expert raises alarm at dire human rights situation | OHCHR
- 20240712-eom-stm-sudan.docx (live.com)
- UN World Food Programme (WFP)
