The ongoing conflict in Sudan has plunged the country into a state of unrest and uncertainty, worsening an already dire humanitarian crisis. Before the conflict, Sudan was already facing severe economic pressures and political instability, with millions in need of humanitarian aid. The ongoing violence has only exacerbated these conditions, forcing over 8 million people to flee their homes.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces has raged for nearly twelve months, taking a devastating toll with over 12,000 lives lost. This protracted violence has triggered one of Africa’s largest displacement crises, with approximately 8 million individuals being uprooted from their homes, both internally and externally, in order to seek safety from relentless bombings and gunfire.
Despite numerous attempts at mediation, including suspended talks in Jeddah, a satisfactory agreement remains elusive. Meanwhile, Sudan’s political entities, primarily the Forces for Freedom and Change, are actively engaged in political negotiations to bring an end to the conflict.
However, lingering suspicions persist, characterizing their efforts as a mere political cover for the Rapid Support Forces to advance their own hidden agendas during discussions.
The Sudanese political forces, led by the FFC alliance under the former Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok, have formed a coalition called “Taqaddum” or the Gathering of Civil Democratic Forces. Their objective is to bring an end to the war and restore the democratic path.
After eight months of the conflict, the Taqaddum group, led by Hamdok, had a meeting with Hemeti, the leader of the RSF, in Ethiopia to discuss a ceasefire, humanitarian aid delivery, and the establishment of safe routes. This resulted in the signing of the “Addis Ababa Declaration.”
The leader of the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo “Hemedti”, and the head of the Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces (Taqadum), Abdullah Hamdouk, signed a joint statement.
The statement calls for “an end to the war and the completion of the Sudanese revolution, with the establishment of democratic civilian rule.”
Under this agreement, the Rapid Support Forces immediately and unconditionally expressed their readiness to halt the war and engage in negotiations with the armed forces to bring an end to the ongoing conflict.
According to the “Declaration of Principles of Addis Ababa”, the Rapid Support Forces agreed to Taqadum’s request to release 451 war prisoners and detainees through the Red Cross committee. Additionally, they also agreed to open safe corridors for aid delivery and facilitate the work of organizations in areas under their control.
The declaration also emphasizes the importance of creating an environment for citizens to return to their homes in war-affected areas. This would be achieved through the deployment of police forces for security and the establishment of civilian administrations in collaboration with the affected communities.
The agreement’s potential to end the war is a matter of debate, with some considering it a crucial step while others find it ineffective.
Allegations of collusion between the militia and the political and civilian forces who signed the agreement further complicate matters. The Sudanese people anxiously await the first meeting of the warring leaders, hopeful that it will finally bring relief to their suffering.
War continues to rage in Sudan
War continues to rage in Sudan, with the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) escalating to devastating levels. Since April 15, 2023, the country has been plagued by violence, particularly in the capital city of Khartoum. However, the impact of this conflict is not confined to one region, as reports of mass killings and ethnic cleansing have emerged from Darfur.
The consequences of this conflict have been tragic, with over 14,000 people killed and 6.4 million displaced within Sudan, marking it as the largest internal displacement crisis globally. The number of displaced people has exceeded 8 million, both within and outside the country, with children accounting for a significant portion of those affected. This has led to Sudan becoming the country with the highest number of displaced people and the largest child displacement crisis worldwide.
The conflict has further escalated in Al Jazirah state, known as Sudan’s “breadbasket,” where more than 500,000 people have been displaced, worsening the country’s already dire food crisis. The looting of businesses, markets, and humanitarian aid warehouses has only exacerbated the situation, leading to severe food shortages.
Humanitarian access in Sudan has become increasingly restricted, with intense violence and movement constraints preventing aid delivery, especially in the southern regions where needs are most urgent. ACAPS has rated the constraints on humanitarian access in Sudan as extreme, highlighting the dire situation faced by those in need.
Despite diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict, the ongoing violence in Sudan shows no signs of abating. As a result, humanitarian needs will continue to rise, while the ability to meet them will diminish, further deepening the crisis faced by the people of Sudan.
Discover more from Who Owns Africa
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
You must be logged in to post a comment.