KHARTOUM: The ongoing conflict between Sudan’s generals has resulted in increasingly dire consequences for civilians, with the number of people displaced from their homes doubling in the past week, according to the United Nations (UN). The United Nations announced on Tuesday that the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Sudan has doubled to over 700,000 as a result of the ongoing conflict between Sudan’s generals.
The violence has claimed hundreds of lives, and separate ethnic clashes have erupted, causing further casualties. As the conflict enters its fourth week, more than 700,000 people are now internally displaced, while an additional 150,000 have fled to neighboring countries.
Just a week ago, the figure stood at 340,000, highlighting the rapid escalation of the displacement crisis. Paul Dillon, spokesperson for the International Organization for Migration, provided this update in Geneva.
The situation is exacerbating existing challenges in a country already grappling with water, electricity, food, and medical shortages.
The battles, now in their fourth week, primarily involve the army led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy-turned-rival Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the heavily armed paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
While the fighting has primarily been concentrated in the capital city of Khartoum, other areas, notably the western Darfur region bordering Chad, have also witnessed intense clashes.
In addition to the internal displacement, an estimated 150,000 individuals have sought refuge in neighboring countries, according to the UN refugee agency’s report on Monday.
Those who remain in the war zones face severe shortages of water, electricity, food, and medical care. Even before the conflict, Sudan was already facing significant humanitarian challenges, with approximately one-third of the population requiring assistance.
Amidst the chaos, foreign-led evacuations via land, sea, and air have facilitated the departure of thousands of individuals, particularly from the previously peaceful city of Port Sudan on the Red Sea coast.
However, a recent demonstration in support of the army has raised concerns, as some protesters called for civilians to be armed, highlighting the potential for further escalation and ethnic unrest.
The rally, attended by hundreds of Beja people, featured chants of “One army, one people” and a rejection of ongoing truce negotiations, between army and RSF representatives.
Talks between Sudan warring sides
The talks, backed by Saudi Arabia and the United States (US), have thus far failed to make any progress while violence continues on the ground. Observers warn that as the conflict persists, there is an increasing risk of local communities arming themselves or the army resorting to raising counter-militias, further destabilizing Sudan.
Even before the current war, Sudan faced localized conflicts that resulted in the deaths of approximately 900 people in 2022, according to the UN.
These conflicts often centered around access to limited water and resources but also reflected a breakdown in security since the coup staged by Burhan and Daglo in October 2021, which derailed the transition to democracy following the ousting of long-time autocrat Omar al-Bashir.
Meanwhile, state media reported clashes between ethnic groups in Kosti, the capital of White Nile state, resulting in the deaths of at least 16 people and prompting a regional night-time curfew.
The fighting, which occurred between the Hausa and Nuba ethnic groups on Sunday, has significant implications as Kosti is the last major town before South Sudan. Over 42,000 returnees, who had previously sought safety in Sudan, have fled across the border once again, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
