As Sudan’s civil war approaches its third anniversary, the humanitarian crisis resulting from the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has reached alarming proportions. According to recent reports from the United Nations, the war has forcibly displaced approximately 13 million individuals, comprising 8.6 million internally displaced people and 3.8 million refugees.
Since the outbreak of hostilities on April 15, 2023, the conflict has claimed tens of thousands of lives and has exacerbated food insecurity across numerous regions, particularly in Darfur. The situation has become critical, with the RSF recently launching an aggressive offensive aimed at securing el-Fasher, the last significant urban area in western Darfur held by government forces.
The offensive, which began last Thursday and persisted through Sunday morning, targeted el-Fasher and neighboring displacement camps, including Zamzam and Abou Shouk. These areas have been severely impacted by famine, intensifying the plight of already vulnerable populations. Reports from the UN indicate that over 400 individuals have lost their lives in the recent upsurge of violence.
As a result of these developments, RSF forces asserted control over the Zamzam camp, displacing approximately 400,000 people in a matter of days, as per the estimates from the UN’s International Organization for Migration. The humanitarian impact of this dislocation was further underscored by the observations of Doctors Without Borders, which noted that around 10,000 individuals fled to Tawila—located nearly 70 kilometers west of el-Fasher—to escape ongoing shelling.
The civil strife has led to a deep division within Sudan, with the army maintaining dominance in the north and east while the RMF governs much of Darfur and parts of the south alongside its allies. The severity of the situation has drawn international condemnation, with Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock characterizing it as “the greatest humanitarian catastrophe of our time.” She highlighted the widespread devastation, food shortages, and incidents of sexual violence that have emerged as critical issues.
As the international community prepares for an upcoming conference in London aimed at addressing these urgent challenges, Mirjana Spoljaric, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, lamented that civilians remain “trapped in a relentless nightmare of death and destruction” two years into the conflict. An official UN fact-finding mission has sounded warnings about the potential escalation of violence, noting that “the darkest chapters of this conflict have yet to unfold.”
Mohamed Chande Othman, chair of the fact-finding mission, articulated the need for reflection as Sudan enters this crucial phase, urging recognition of the tragedies experienced by the Sudanese populace and honoring those whose lives have been irrevocably altered by the conflict. The imperative to act has never been more urgent, as millions await aid amid this devastating crisis.
#MiddleEastNews #WorldNews