WAD MADANI: The United Nations issued a grave warning on Sunday, stating that conflict-ridden Sudan is on the brink of descending into a “full-scale civil war” that could have far-reaching consequences for the entire region.
The statement came in response to an air strike on a residential area in Omdurman, which claimed the lives of approximately 22 civilians.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the air strike, emphasizing that it resulted in the tragic loss of innocent lives and left dozens more wounded. Guterres’ deputy spokesperson, Farhan Haq, conveyed the Secretary-General’s deep concern, highlighting that the ongoing hostilities between armed factions in Sudan have pushed the nation perilously close to a devastating civil war. Such a conflict could have dire consequences, potentially destabilizing the entire region, Haq added.
The Ministry of Health reported that the air strike, which targeted the district of Dar Al-Salam in Omdurman, resulted in the deaths of 22 civilians and left numerous others injured. Shockwaves from the incident have reverberated throughout Sudan, exacerbating an already precarious situation marked by nearly three months of clashes between rival generals. Throughout the conflict, survivors have reported incidents of sexual violence, while witnesses have recounted ethnically targeted killings. The region has also witnessed widespread looting, prompting the United Nations to raise concerns about potential crimes against humanity, particularly in the Darfur region.
Air Strikes and Displacements in Sudan
A video posted on Facebook by the health ministry depicted the aftermath of the air strike, showing lifeless bodies, including women. The narrator of the video indicated that residents had counted 22 dead. In contrast, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), who are engaged in combat with the regular army, claimed that the strike resulted in 31 casualties. Paramilitary forces have established bases in residential areas, and there have been allegations of civilian displacement as a result.
The protracted conflict in Sudan has displaced nearly three million people, with approximately 700,000 seeking refuge in neighboring countries, according to the International Organization for Migration. The United Nations and African regional blocs have raised concerns about an “ethnic dimension” to the conflict, particularly in the western region of Darfur. The RSF and allied militia groups have faced allegations of widespread violations, a claim supported by the United States, Norway, and Britain.
Haq expressed support for the African Union and the East African bloc IGAD’s efforts to bring an end to the crisis in Sudan. On Monday, leaders from Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and South Sudan, who are part of IGAD and handling the Sudan file, are set to meet in Addis Ababa. While Sudan’s army chief, Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, and RSF commander, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, have been invited to attend, neither side has confirmed their participation. Despite previous cease-fire agreements, the conflict has persistently escalated, rendering them ineffective.
