The UN has raised alarm over a potential famine in Sudan amid intensified conflict, with 8.8 million people displaced. The RSF’s violent attacks have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, leading to serious human rights violations and a collapse of essential services. Urgent international action is necessary to address these challenges and protect civilians.
The United Nations has issued a grave warning regarding the imminent famine crisis in Sudan, attributed to intense fighting that has led to the suspension of World Food Programme operations in North Darfur. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, indicated that five more areas are at risk of famine in the next three months, jeopardizing 17 additional locations. This crisis has displaced approximately 8.8 million people within Sudan and forced 3.5 million more to seek refuge in neighboring countries.
Recent violent incidents, including attacks by the Sudanese paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the White Nile state, have resulted in significant civilian casualties. This ongoing conflict, which began in 2023, continues to escalate, with reports of targeted assaults against civilians, including ethnic-based attacks with devastating consequences for women and children. Human Rights Watch has corroborated reports of such attacks, emphasizing the severe humanitarian toll.
According to humanitarian law, military operations that intentionally target civilians violate the principle of distinction. The International Court of Justice has articulated the protection of civilian populations as a foundational principle in humanitarian law. Violations of Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions may constitute war crimes, prompting the UN Security Council to call for investigations into alleged atrocities committed in Darfur since 2002.
The ongoing violence has been exacerbated by ethnic and tribal conflicts, leading to widespread indiscriminate attacks where sexual violence, including gang rape, has been reported. The UN notes that data on such violence may be incomplete due to the difficult circumstances surrounding victims. The conflict’s persistence has left medical facilities functioning at just 30 percent capacity and has led to the collapse of judicial systems across the country.
Commissioner Turk has warned that the protracted conflict poses a serious threat to regional stability in the Horn of Africa and beyond. He urged all nations to exert diplomatic pressure on the involved parties, including their regional and international allies, advocating for a ceasefire, effective civilian protections, and the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian assistance.
The situation in Sudan is dire, with a looming famine crisis exacerbated by ongoing violent conflict and mass displacement of communities. Urgent intervention is required to safeguard civilians, restore humanitarian operations, and stabilize the region. The call for international diplomatic engagement underscores the need for a concerted global effort to address the humanitarian needs and uphold international law in the context of armed conflicts.
Original Source: www.jurist.org
