Sudan’s ongoing civil war has plunged the country into one of the most severe humanitarian crises in recent history, with violence escalating and security conditions deteriorating by the day. The conflict has not only caused staggering casualties and forced millions from their homes but also put millions on the brink of starvation.
The eruption of conflict since 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has further exposed civilians to extreme levels of suffering, abuse, and deprivation. International organizations, led by the United Nations, are sounding alarms over the widespread atrocities and calling for urgent intervention.
The conflict has created a massive refugee crisis, driven up food insecurity to critical levels, and led to horrifying instances of human rights abuses, particularly against women and children. Reports indicate that sexual violence has become so prevalent that some women have resorted to suicide to escape getting raped.
Escalating Violence in Al-Gazira and Darfur
Recent fighting has intensified in Sudan’s Al-Gazira region, marking one of the deadliest phases of the war, according to UN reports. The SAF and RSF continue to clash, with both sides accused of widespread human rights abuses. The RSF, which has targeted civilians in Darfur for years, has escalated its attacks on villages, resulting in mass displacements, particularly of women and children, and sparking a wave of sexual violence.
According to Human Rights Watch (HRW), the RSF has engaged in systematic violence against civilian populations, using rape, forced displacement, and targeted killings as tools of warfare. The SAF, meanwhile, has conducted aerial bombardments on RSF-held areas, leading to significant civilian casualties and the destruction of vital infrastructure.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres described Sudan as “trapped in a nightmare,” defined by violence, hunger, disease, and displacement, as the devastating war between the SAF and the RSF continues unabated. He also underscored the necessity of accountability for those responsible for war crimes, adding that the “direct or indirect flow” of arms and ammunition into Sudan “must cease immediately.”
UN Security Council’s Call to Action
The UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has called for a stronger response from the Security Council, urging immediate action to halt the violence and facilitate humanitarian assistance. According to Ramesh Rajasingham, OCHA’s director, the conflict’s impact on civilians is “unimaginable,” with half the country facing severe food insecurity, including famine-like conditions in regions like North Darfur.
The Security Council has discussed possible sanctions and other measures to pressure the warring factions. However, political complexities and internal disagreements within the Council have delayed concrete actions, even as the situation in Sudan continues to worsen.
On 18 November, Russia vetoed a UN Security Council draft resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Sudan’s civil war and the delivery of humanitarian aid to millions in desperate need. The vote, led by the United Kingdom, which drafted the resolution alongside Sierra Leone, saw 14 of 15 Security Council members, including China, in support. However, Russia’s veto blocked its passage.
An Epidemic of Sexual Violence
The conflict in Sudan has exposed civilians to unprecedented levels of abuse, particularly impacting women and girls. In a newly released report, the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan has accused the RSF of committing extensive sexual violence in areas under their control during the ongoing conflict. According to the report, the RSF has been involved in gang rapes, abductions, and detentions of victims in conditions that amount to sexual slavery. These actions, the Mission concluded, constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity, including torture, rape, sexual slavery, and persecution based on intersecting ethnic and gender grounds.
The situation has grown so desperate that some women have taken their own lives to escape repeated sexual assaults and the trauma of captivity. In camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs), women and girls are particularly vulnerable, often lacking even the most basic protections. In Darfur alone, countless women have been forced into RSF-controlled zones where they face assault and other abuses. Advocates stress that the international community’s failure to address these violations effectively is exacerbating the trauma suffered by countless Sudanese women.
In response to the abuses, the US recently announced sanctions on high-ranking RSF leaders, targeting individuals directly linked to attacks on civilians. These sanctions include asset freezes, travel bans, and restrictions on financial transactions, aiming to hold RSF leaders accountable for human rights violations.
The conflict has plunged Sudan into one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), over 25 million people require humanitarian assistance, with many regions facing severe food shortages and famine-like conditions. In North Darfur, malnutrition rates are critical, with children particularly affected. The UN reports that 34% of children in displacement camps in the region are malnourished, with 10% suffering from acute malnutrition.
Efforts to deliver aid are severely hampered by insecurity, with RSF forces reportedly obstructing access to humanitarian corridors in regions they control. Meanwhile, displaced populations continue to flee to neighboring countries, adding strain to host nations like Chad and Egypt. The United Nations is urging the international community to increase funding to help support these host countries as they accommodate the influx.
Broader Security Concerns
The crisis in Sudan poses significant security risks not only to Sudan itself but also to the wider Sahel and North African regions. Cross-border recruitment by the RSF has reportedly increased, with fighters from Chad, the Central African Republic, and other countries joining the conflict. Analysts warn that prolonged instability could turn Sudan into a launching ground for cross-border militancy, potentially destabilizing other nations.
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and international organizations continue to push for a coordinated response, stressing that Sudan’s descent into chaos could have far-reaching implications for international security.
