The United Nations Security Council voiced deep alarm over escalating violence in Sudan, condemning attacks on civilians and the recent surge in displacement that has uprooted seven million people within the country’s borders.
This comes just a day after reports revealed an additional 1.5 million Sudanese refugees fleeing to neighboring countries.
“The Council expresses alarm at the spreading violence and deteriorating humanitarian situation in Sudan,” a joint statement declared, highlighting the dire state of the conflict-plagued nation.
Recent clashes between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have reached the previously safe haven of Wad Madani, forcing another wave of mass displacement.
“Up to 300,000 people have fled Wad Madani in Al-Jazira state, adding to the staggering number of internally displaced persons,” stated UN Secretary-General’s spokesman Stephane Dujarric, referencing estimates from the International Organization for Migration.
The city, located 180 kilometers south of Khartoum, had initially provided refuge for many during the conflict that erupted in April, but now finds itself engulfed in the fighting.
Condemning a December 10 attack on an International Committee of the Red Cross convoy, the Security Council underscored the critical need for humanitarian access.
Shopkeepers in Wad Madani boarded up their stores, fearing looters amid the chaos, while women remained indoors due to heightened risk of sexual violence.
The Council demanded immediate action, urging “rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access throughout Sudan” and emphasizing the need for “scaling up of humanitarian assistance.”
This plea comes as the brutal conflict, fueled by the rift between the SAF and RSF, claims an estimated 12,190 lives, according to the Armed Conflict Locations and Events Data project.
As the humanitarian crisis worsens, the international community grapples with the ramifications of Sudan’s escalating conflict.
The Security Council’s statement, while expressing alarm, remains to be seen if it will translate into tangible action capable of curbing the violence and alleviating the suffering of millions.
