UN Security Council raises concern over escalating violence in Sudan
The UN Security Council has expressed deep “alarm” regarding the escalating violence in war-torn Sudan. This concern comes on the heels of a report indicating that seven million individuals have been displaced due to the ongoing conflict.
A joint statement from the Council strongly condemned attacks on civilians and the expansion of conflict into areas that host significant populations of internally displaced persons, refugees, and asylum seekers. The members of the Security Council voiced their apprehension at the growing violence and the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Sudan, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
In addition to the seven million internally displaced people, the UN revealed that another 1.5 million have sought refuge in neighboring countries, highlighting the regional impact of the crisis. The city of Wad Madani, situated 180 kilometers south of Khartoum, had initially served as a haven for thousands of displaced people. However, the Security Council reported that the conflict has spread to this area as well, prompting a new wave of displacement.
According to the International Organization for Migration, up to 300,000 people have fled Wad Madani in Al-Jazira state, marking a significant surge in large-scale displacement. Amid the ongoing clashes between rival security forces for control of the city’s strongpoints, businesses are taking preventive measures, with shopkeepers boarding up their stores to deter looters. Meanwhile, women are avoiding the streets due to fears of sexual violence.
The Council urgently called on the warring factions to facilitate “rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access throughout Sudan.” Condemning the December 10 attack on a convoy belonging to the International Committee of the Red Cross, it emphasized the need for an escalation in humanitarian assistance to Sudan.
Since the outbreak of fighting on April 15 between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and former deputy Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, the conflict has claimed a devastating toll, with estimates from the Armed Conflict Locations and Events Data project indicating the loss of 12,190 lives. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, urging immediate measures to address the crisis and provide essential aid to those affected.
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