The conflict in Sudan, which has been ongoing since April 2023, has led to a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths and leaving over 25 million people facing acute food shortages. In a recent development, Sudan's foreign ministry, aligned with General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, rejected a call from UN experts for an 'independent and impartial force' to protect civilians affected by the violence. The ministry described the UN Human Rights Council as a 'political and illegal body' [5b39d950].
The war has caused significant displacement, with eight million civilians internally displaced and two million fleeing to neighboring countries. This situation has been exacerbated by fresh fighting in southeast Sudan, which has intensified the displacement crisis further, forcing over 136,000 people to abandon their homes [d01fbfd3]. Humanitarian teams from the United Nations are on the ground, providing assistance to the displaced population, including ready-to-eat meals and basic health services [d01fbfd3].
During a visit on September 8, 2024, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted the dire humanitarian situation, emphasizing the urgent need for international support to address the crisis [5b39d950]. Meanwhile, South Sudanese refugees in Uganda are using the occasion of their Independence Day to call for peace and remind their leaders of the importance of prioritizing the welfare of their citizens. They emphasize the need to end tribal differences and rebuild their country, which has been marred by conflict since gaining independence in 2011 [17e3a7f0].
The international community faces increasing pressure to intervene and provide protection to civilians at risk, as armed groups and militias continue to pose threats to safety and security. Humanitarian aid agencies are calling for unimpeded access to deliver life-saving assistance to those in need [720c375f]. The situation remains critical, and donor countries are urged to increase their support for humanitarian operations in Sudan, while the Sudanese government must prioritize the protection of civilians and facilitate humanitarian access [720c375f].