The ongoing fighting between Sudan’s military and a powerful paramilitary force has resulted in the displacement of over 1.3 million people, according to the UN migration agency. The International Organization for Migration revealed that more than 1 million individuals have been forced to flee their homes and seek safety within Sudan, while an additional 320,000 have crossed the borders into neighboring countries such as Egypt, South Sudan, Chad, Ethiopia, the Central African Republic, and Libya.
The clashes, which began on April 15, emerged after months of escalating tensions between the military led by Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces commanded by Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. This conflict has not only shattered Sudan’s aspirations for a stable transition to democracy but has also claimed the lives of at least 863 civilians, including 190 children, with over 3,530 others sustaining injuries.
The Sudanese Doctors’ Syndicate, primarily responsible for tracking civilian casualties, has been documenting the devastating impact of the conflict. The situation has pushed the country toward the brink of collapse, as urban areas in the capital, Khartoum, and neighboring Omdurman have turned into battle zones.
Among the countries hosting the displaced individuals, Egypt has welcomed the largest number, with at least 132,360 people seeking refuge. Chad and South Sudan follow, accommodating approximately 80,000 and over 69,000 individuals, respectively, as per the International Organization for Migration.
Despite a weeklong cease-fire brokered by the United States and Saudi Arabia, sporadic fighting has persisted in several areas, with reports of gunshots and explosions in central Khartoum and near military facilities in Omdurman. The cease-fire, which began on Monday night, aims to facilitate humanitarian aid delivery to the conflict-affected regions.
The US and Saudi Arabia jointly issued a statement on Tuesday, warning that neither the Sudanese military nor the Rapid Support Forces have adhered to the short-term cease-fire. The international community expressed concern for the suffering of the Sudanese people and urged both sides to honor their commitments, implement the temporary cease-fire, and prioritize the urgent delivery of humanitarian relief.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also cautioned that failure to abide by the cease-fire could result in sanctions for the involved parties. The conflict has exacerbated the already dire humanitarian situation in Sudan, with the UN reporting that 24.7 million people, more than half of the country’s population, require assistance this year—a 57% increase compared to previous years. To address the pressing humanitarian needs, an estimated $2.6 billion in funding is required.
As the conflict persists and the humanitarian crisis deepens, international efforts remain focused on promoting peace, delivering aid, and alleviating the suffering of the Sudanese population caught in the midst of this devastating conflict.
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