Sudanese army finds overwhelming suffering after breaking RSF siege of embattled city

Sudan’s Escalating Humanitarian Crisis

Key Concepts:

• Rapid Support Forces (RSF): A paramilitary rebel group in Sudan, originating from the Janjaweed militias.
• Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF): The national army of Sudan.
• Darfur: A region in western Sudan, historically plagued by conflict and currently facing famine.
• Kordofan: A region in central Sudan, particularly South and North Kordofan, now a major battleground.
• Acute Malnutrition: A severe form of undernourishment, particularly dangerous for children.
• Genocide: The deliberate and systematic destruction of a group of people.
• Humanitarian Crisis: A situation where there is a severe threat to the health, safety, security, and well-being of a population.

I. Overview of the Conflict and Humanitarian Situation

Sudan is currently experiencing the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, marked by a brutal civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict, which erupted in April 2023 from a power struggle, has displaced 14 million people and resulted in an estimated 40,000 deaths. A U.N.-backed watchdog group has warned that famine is spreading, particularly in Darfur, with a growing risk of death from hunger in Kordofan. Both sides are accused of war crimes, with the RSF specifically accused of genocide in Darfur, echoing accusations from the early 2000s related to the Janjaweed militias from which they descend.

II. Recent Military Developments and Civilian Impact in Kadugli

The SAF recently declared the city of Kadugli (population 100,000) “liberated” after two years under RSF control. General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of the SAF, stated, “Congratulations to the people of Kadugli on the liberation of the city, and congratulations to our people in Kadugli on the arrival of the armed forces. The armed forces will reach every place in Sudan.” However, this liberation follows months of intense violence and reveals widespread suffering. Survivors in refugee camps outside Kadugli recount harrowing experiences of loss, particularly the deaths of children due to hunger and drone attacks. Haja Bahareldin, a displaced woman, tragically reported the deaths of three of her children – one on the road and twins upon arrival at the camp – stating, “One of my children died on the road, and when I got here, my twins died together. Three of my children have died. Now I have no small child to carry in my arms.” Zakia Ramadan shared the loss of her brother, nephew, and son, along with four children who died of starvation, lamenting, “My brother and nephew and son were killed when we left. We had nothing for the children. I have four children who died, three girls and a boy. They all died of hunger.”

III. Famine Conditions and RSF Control in Dilling and Darfur

The situation is particularly dire in areas under RSF control. An aid worker in Dilling, a city held by the RSF since 2023, reported, “There is a famine, families forced to eat tree leaves and grass to survive. There is death amongst the families. One case is death of five children from one family due to poisoning after eating grass. Many families have lost members due to shelling and due to attacks by drone.” The RSF’s brutal actions in Darfur, particularly in El Fasher late last year, led to their control of the entire Darfur region, shifting the conflict’s focus to the oil-rich Kordofan region. The report from the umbrella organization declaring famine states that more than half of all children under five in Darfur suffer from acute malnutrition.

IV. Escalating Violence and Civilian Casualties in Kordofan

In Kordofan, the SAF has retaken the state capital and key cities, while the RSF has intensified drone strikes, particularly targeting El Obeid. A house in El Obeid was struck last month, killing nine family members, including seven children. A neighbor, Moussa Adam, described the scene: “When we came, we found the children under the rubble, under the iron, under the beds. Only God knows the state of the children's bodies. They used to be living people and they became dead bodies. This is what happened.” Satellite imagery from the Yale Humanitarian Research Lab reveals nearly 100 new burial mounds in El Obeid between January 2nd and January 14th, illustrating the escalating death toll.

V. Lack of Humanitarian Access and Aid Worker Concerns

Civilians are facing immense suffering with minimal humanitarian assistance. An aid worker in South Kordofan, speaking anonymously, stated, “Civilians are suffering a lot without any support from any humanitarian actors. So, this is the suffering of the civilians here since the eruption of this conflict.” This lack of support exacerbates the already dire conditions caused by the ongoing violence and famine.

VI. Historical Context and Accusations of Genocide

The RSF’s origins lie in the Janjaweed militias, which were government-backed and accused of genocide in the 2000s during a brutal crackdown on an uprising in Darfur, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of non-Arabs. The U.S. labeled these actions as genocide at that time, and similar accusations are now being leveled against the RSF.

Conclusion:

The situation in Sudan is rapidly deteriorating, with famine spreading, civilian casualties mounting, and humanitarian access severely limited. The conflict between the SAF and RSF, rooted in a power struggle, has devolved into a brutal civil war with potentially genocidal consequences in Darfur. The international community faces a critical challenge in addressing this escalating crisis and providing urgently needed assistance to the millions of Sudanese people affected by the violence and starvation.