Sudan has been in a brutal civil war since April 2023, and today it is considered the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. The fighting is between two powerful groups: the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), which is the country’s official army, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group that used to work with the government but turned against it. Their struggle for power has devastated the country and its people. [slate.com]
What’s Happening on the Ground?
One of the most shocking recent events was the fall of El Fasher, a major city in Darfur, after an 18-month siege. When the RSF captured the city in late October, reports of massacres, looting, and sexual violence followed. Satellite images even show mass graves being dug to hide the scale of killings. Nearly 89,000 people fled El Fasher, and many are now living in overcrowded camps with little food or water. [dnhr.org], [news.un.org]
The violence isn’t limited to Darfur. Fighting has spread to other regions like Kordofan, and both sides have been accused of war crimes. Hospitals have been attacked, and aid workers face serious risks. The United Nations says 30 million people need humanitarian help, and about 14 million have been displaced inside and outside Sudan. [slate.com]
Humanitarian Crisis
Conditions for civilians are dire. Many families survive on one meal a day, and children are suffering from severe malnutrition. In Darfur, 30% of children under five are acutely malnourished. The poverty rate in Sudan has soared to 71%, and most people have lost their jobs and homes. Aid agencies say they need billions of dollars to respond, but funding is far below what’s required. [sudantribune.com], [dnhr.org]
Is Peace Possible?
There have been attempts to stop the fighting. Earlier this month, the RSF agreed to a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal, but so far, there’s little progress. World leaders, including the United States and Saudi Arabia, are pushing for negotiations, but the situation remains unstable. For now, Sudan’s war continues to cause immense suffering, and experts warn that without urgent action, the crisis could spread beyond Sudan’s borders. [abcnews.go.com], [cfr.org]
