“The Forgotten Conflict: Inside Sudan’s Devastating Civil War and Humanitarian Crisis”
The civil war in Sudan has been ongoing for 19 months, resulting in the displacement of 13 million people from their homes. The conflict has led to the world’s biggest humanitarian crisis, with one overcrowded camp already facing famine and other parts of the country experiencing famine-like conditions. Outbreaks of diseases such as dengue fever, malaria, cholera, and measles are affecting children the most, with the collapse of the education system keeping 90% of Sudan’s kids out of school.
The violence erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces after negotiations between the two top generals broke down. The U.S. government and international partners have attempted to broker a peace agreement, but so far, there has been no progress. The Biden administration has imposed sanctions on individuals and companies affiliated with both sides for alleged human rights abuses and war crimes.
Journalists and aid officials have faced challenges in reporting on the conflict firsthand, but a recent study by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine revealed that an estimated 61,000 people died in Khartoum State alone between April 2023 and June 2024, with more than 90% of those deaths going unrecorded.
The Yale School of Public Health’s Humanitarian Research Lab reported that the Rapid Support Forces were advancing on the city of El Fasher in Darfur, raising concerns of a potential assault that could lead to thousands more deaths. If the city falls, there are fears that the nearby Zamzam camp, housing 500,000 displaced civilians, could be attacked.
Amnesty International has alleged that the Rapid Support Forces are using weapons supplied by the United Arab Emirates and equipped with military technology made in France, raising concerns of further war crimes. The UAE has denied these claims, stating that they have not provided arms to any warring party in Sudan.
Amnesty has called on the U.N. Security Council to expand the Darfur arms embargo to cover all of Sudan to prevent continued military support for the militia. A U.N. fact-finding mission has been sent to Sudan to investigate alleged war crimes by the Rapid Support Forces, with reports suggesting that starvation and rape are being weaponized against Sudanese civilians.
The situation in Sudan remains dire, with millions of lives at risk due to the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis. International intervention and support are crucial to address the root causes of the conflict and provide aid to those affected by the crisis.