The UN has raised alarm over escalating violence against civilians in Sudan amid a prolonged conflict between the SAF and RSF, marking a disturbing trend of ethnically motivated attacks. The conflict has led to significant civilian casualties, increased refugee flows into South Sudan, and severe humanitarian threats.
Civilians in Sudan are facing increasing violence amid a conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), as reported by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk. He emphasized that direct and ethnically motivated assaults on civilians are becoming more prevalent as this egregious conflict, ongoing for nearly two years, escalates.
The fighting, which began in April 2023, has recently intensified, particularly in the southeastern state of Al Gezira. The UN Human Rights Office has documented at least 21 civilian deaths from two separate assaults just within the last week. While the SAF has regained control of Al Gezira’s capital, Wad Medani, the RSF maintains a presence in several areas of this strategic province.
The Emergency Lawyers group, a pro-democracy organization, reported that RSF fighters attacked Al Khizan village, resulting in 15 fatalities and over 20 injuries, prompting residents to flee for safety. Following the SAF’s takeover of Wad Medani, there are shocking reports of attacks against individuals from Sudan’s Darfur region, with evidence of severe violence against those perceived as RSF supporters.
Human rights organizations in Sudan, alongside the UN, have condemned these incidents. Although the army has promised an investigation and accountability for those involved, the violence continues to escalate.
The violence has spilled over into South Sudan, with shocking footage allegedly depicting SAF fighters humiliating South Sudanese individuals. This has led to retaliatory attacks targeting Sudanese refugees, most notably in Juba, which resulted in several deaths and injuries. Amid rising tensions, over half a million Sudanese refugees have fled into South Sudan.
To address the rising chaos, South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has called for community calm and ordered a curfew in Juba to protect Sudanese nationals and their properties. The Sudanese Foreign Ministry has expressed gratitude to South Sudan for its cooperation while advising citizens to exercise caution.
In response to the ongoing civil conflict, the United States has sanctioned SAF leader Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, accusing him of war crimes linked to the atrocities in Wad Medani. In turn, Sudan’s Foreign Ministry has labeled these sanctions as unjust and detrimental to the Sudanese populace, suggesting they inadvertently support genocide allegations against the RSF.
The situation in Sudan has spiraled into a severe humanitarian crisis, with an estimated half of the nation requiring urgent assistance. Since the onset of the conflict, tens of thousands have been killed, and over 11.5 million individuals have been displaced from their homes, intensifying the scale of the disaster.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan, which erupted in April 2023, has escalated into a severe humanitarian crisis, threatening the safety and lives of civilians especially. The confrontation between SAF and RSF has resulted in widespread violence, with reports of targeted ethnic attacks against vulnerable communities. The conflict has not only affected Sudan but has also spilled over into neighboring South Sudan, complicating humanitarian efforts and increasing tensions between ethnic groups.
The situation in Sudan is dire, with escalating violence against civilians as a result of the ongoing conflict between the SAF and RSF. This violence is now spilling over borders, causing unrest in South Sudan. International responses include sanctions and calls for investigations, yet the humanitarian crisis deepens, requiring urgent attention and assistance for millions affected.
Original Source: www.thenationalnews.com
