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Recent reports indicate that many victims of ongoing violence in Sudan are from the Darfur and Kordofan regions, areas significantly affected by conflict.
Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the Secretary-General, emphasized the responsibility of all warring parties in Sudan to adhere to international law, particularly concerning the safety of civilians and civilian infrastructure. He remarked on the grave consequences of the conflict, stating that “Sudanese women, Sudanese children and Sudanese men are paying the price for the continued fighting by the belligerents.”
Since April 2023, government forces have been engaged in intense battles against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), former allies who have now become military adversaries. This escalating conflict has drawn international concern.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, characterized the ongoing conflict as “senseless” and pointed out that alleged war crimes are being reported from both sides. He noted that the situation has taken an “even more dangerous turn for civilians”, particularly with increasing instances of brutal, ethnically targeted killings. Efforts by Türk’s office, the OHCHR, are underway to verify these disturbing allegations.
Humanitarian crisis escalates
According to Dujarric, attacks on civilian populations continue relentlessly across Sudan. A recent airstrike targeting a busy market in Omdurman reportedly resulted in at least 60 deaths and over 150 injuries, a reflection of the deteriorating security situation.
Reports of civilian casualties have also emerged from North Kordofan and North and South Darfur. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) raises alarms about increasing fatalities, especially after recent assaults on the Abu Shouk displacement camp, which was previously identified as experiencing famine conditions as of last December.
Clementine Nkweta-Salami, the UN Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator in Sudan, strongly condemned the weekend’s indiscriminate attacks, stating that “the deliberate targeting of civilian areas represents a blatant disregard for human life and the most basic principles of the laws of war. Such atrocities must cease immediately.”
Rising malnutrition and starvation
The food crisis in Sudan continues to escalate, with OCHA reporting over 70 hunger-related deaths in Khartoum State, primarily affecting children. In January, more than 1,100 cases of severe malnutrition were documented in three neighborhoods of Omdurman, highlighting the urgent need for food assistance.
Malnutrition rates soar in areas with restricted access, leading to the closure of community kitchens, essential for many families’ survival. Dujarric reiterated the pressing need for heightened funding and logistical support to maintain nutrition programs and community kitchens. This support is crucial for ensuring that vulnerable populations, especially children and the elderly, receive adequate food, nutrition, and healthcare services.
As the humanitarian crisis worsens, the UN continues to urge all parties to protect civilians and enable access to necessary humanitarian aid. Ms. Nkweta-Salami expressed the growing urgency: “The suffering of Sudanese civilians has gone on for too long. It’s long past time to end this war and prevent further devastation.”
Source
news.un.org