Sudan’s Humanitarian Crisis Escalates Amid Ongoing Conflict

The humanitarian crisis in Sudan has intensified as the conflict expands, with the paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), allegedly backed by the United Arab Emirates, facing accusations of mass killings of civilians. A report from the Yale Humanitarian Research Lab indicates systematic efforts by the RSF to conceal these atrocities by burning and burying bodies, particularly in the city of El Fasher, which was captured in October 2023.

Recent drone strikes have plunged major cities, including Khartoum and the coastal city of Port Sudan, into darkness. Since the conflict escalated in April 2023, the violence has reportedly claimed over 150,000 lives. The situation is further exacerbated by the deaths of six U.N. peacekeepers from Bangladesh, who were killed in a drone strike on their base in Kadugli last week.

According to the United Nations, it is estimated that at least 60,000 people have died in Sudan within a few weeks, highlighting the scale of the crisis. Volker Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, expressed deep concern, stating, “The brutal conflict between the army and the Rapid Support Forces continues unabated,” affecting civilians across the country.

In a discussion on the implications of these developments, Sudanese scholar Khalid Mustafa Medani emphasized the strategic importance of El Fasher. He noted that the city serves as a crucial economic hub with vital trade routes and resources, including gold and arms. Medani pointed out that the RSF’s military advances indicate not only territorial gains but also a significant escalation of the conflict, potentially spreading to regions such as Western Kordofan and even neighboring South Sudan.

The report from the Yale lab utilized high-resolution satellite imagery to track the RSF’s activities, revealing at least 140 large piles of bodies in El Fasher around the time of the city’s capture. Medani elaborated on the dire humanitarian conditions, stating that approximately 60,000 people fled the city during its fall, leading to a humanitarian situation that is increasingly difficult to describe. Social media has also highlighted the RSF’s actions, including videos depicting acts of torture.

The ongoing conflict has not only resulted in mass displacement but also a military stalemate, with both the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces vying for control. The RSF has made significant territorial gains, including the recent capture of the Heglig region, a critical area for oil processing. This region is economically vital, as over 90% of South Sudan’s government revenue derives from oil extracted here.

As the conflict expands, the humanitarian situation becomes increasingly desperate. The U.N. has reported that around 12 million people have been displaced over the past two and a half years. Despite international calls for a ceasefire, the RSF continues to conduct operations that violate human rights, further complicating efforts for peace.

Medani noted that external actors, including the United States and the United Arab Emirates, have played a significant role in the conflict’s dynamics. The ongoing support from these nations has transformed the conflict into a proxy war, complicating attempts to reach a resolution. The so-called “Quad” group, consisting of the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt, has proposed a plan for a truce and a transition to civilian governance, but it has faced skepticism and resistance from both warring factions.

In summary, the situation in Sudan remains critical, with the humanitarian crisis deepening as the conflict escalates. The actions of the RSF and the Sudanese military, combined with external influences, are perpetuating a cycle of violence that leaves civilians vulnerable and in desperate need of assistance.