In 2024, Sudan finds itself in the midst of one of the worst humanitarian crises in modern history. Since the eruption of civil war in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the nation has spiralled into political chaos, extreme violence, and humanitarian devastation. The conflict, originally centred in Khartoum, has since spread across the country, engulfing regions like Darfur, Kordofan, and parts of eastern Sudan, leaving millions of civilians trapped in a conflict zone.
The Roots of the Crisis
The roots of the current conflict lie in long-standing power struggles between Sudan’s military factions, exacerbated by decades of ethnic tensions and underdevelopment. While Sudan has faced unrest for decades, the rift between the SAF, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF, commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), exploded into open warfare last year. This breakdown in governance has turned Sudan into a battleground, with both sides engaging in fierce combat while civilians bear the brunt of the violence.
The Scale of the Catastrophe
The scale of the suffering is staggering. By mid-2024, over 14,000 people have been killed, and more than 8.6 million have fled their homes, of which 1.8 million are now refugees in neighbouring countries. Over half of Sudan’s 50 million people, roughly 25 million, require urgent humanitarian assistance. Millions are suffering from extreme food insecurity, with 18 million people facing acute hunger and 5 million on the brink of starvation. Particularly vulnerable are pregnant women, who face life-threatening conditions due to a lack of food and healthcare. Without intervention, an estimated 7,000 new mothers could die in the coming months.
Systematic Violence and Human Rights Abuses
Human rights violations have been rampant throughout the conflict. Both the SAF and RSF have been accused of atrocities, including the widespread use of sexual violence as a weapon of war, recruitment of child soldiers, arbitrary detention, and indiscriminate shelling of civilian areas. The situation is especially dire in Darfur, where ethnic violence has escalated and thousands of people have been targeted along ethnic lines, a chilling reminder of the 2003 Darfur genocide. In cities like El Fasher, relentless bombardments have placed over 800,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in extreme danger, with nowhere to seek shelter or safety.
The international community has also reported atrocities in Khartoum and Gezira state, where massacres of civilians and ethnic cleansing have occurred. Despite these violations, both military factions have continued to fight with support from external actors, further fuelling the war.
Aid Blockades and Humanitarian Challenges
The conflict has severely hampered humanitarian relief efforts. Aid convoys are frequently blocked, looted, or attacked by warring parties, particularly the RSF, which has been accused of seizing food, medical supplies, and other crucial aid destined for civilians. In Darfur, the situation has been worsened by deliberate obstruction of aid to conflict zones. Even as international agencies try to deliver lifesaving assistance, the security situation, along with bureaucratic barriers imposed by the authorities, has made it almost impossible for aid to reach those most in need.
Efforts to get food and medical supplies to civilians are further complicated by violent attacks against aid workers. Since the conflict began, 24 humanitarian workers have been killed, and countless others face daily threats, leading to significant disruptions in aid distribution. The UN’s $2.7 billion humanitarian appeal is woefully underfunded, receiving only 16% of the required funds by mid-2024.
The International Response
Despite the enormity of the crisis, international responses have been slow and fragmented. While organizations like the UN, the African Union, and international humanitarian groups have called for immediate ceasefires, these pleas have largely gone unheeded. The Jeddah Declaration, signed in 2023 to protect civilians, has been repeatedly violated by both warring factions. External actors, including regional powers, have continued to fuel the conflict by providing material and military support to both sides, further stymying peace efforts.
Efforts to mediate a peace settlement have faced numerous setbacks, as both the SAF and RSF remain entrenched in their positions, unwilling to concede to a ceasefire. The African Union and international partners have called for renewed negotiations and a more concerted global push to end the fighting, but the road to peace remains fraught with challenges.
The Future of Sudan
Sudan’s future remains uncertain as the war rages on. The economic collapse, coupled with the destruction of critical infrastructure, has set the country back decades. Rebuilding will take generations, even if peace can be achieved in the near future. The conflict has devastated Sudan’s agricultural sector, exacerbating food insecurity and creating famine-like conditions across much of the country.
The humanitarian needs are vast, and without significant international intervention, Sudan could face an even greater catastrophe. The UN has warned that the situation could worsen in the coming months if fighting persists and humanitarian access remains restricted. An immediate ceasefire and the restoration of humanitarian aid are crucial to prevent further loss of life and displacement.
As the crisis deepens, the world must not turn a blind eye to the suffering in Sudan. The international community has a responsibility to act decisively, not only to provide aid but to push for a sustainable peace process that addresses the root causes of the conflict. Without concerted global efforts, Sudan’s humanitarian disaster will continue to unfold, with millions of innocent lives hanging in the balance.
