The top humanitarian official of the United Nations in Sudan has sounded the alarm over a concerning increase in violence in the Al Jazirah region, located near the capital, Khartoum. According to available reports, over 120 people have lost their lives in recent attacks attributed to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Between the 20th and 25th of October, these paramilitary fighters carried out indiscriminate attacks against the civilian population, as well as acts of sexual violence against women and girls.
Clementine Nkweta-Salami, the UN humanitarian coordinator in Sudan, expressed deep concern over the situation. In a statement made on Saturday, she emphasized that human rights violations in the state of Al Jazirah are reminiscent of the heinous acts that occurred last year in Darfur, including mass rapes and killings. Nkweta-Salami stressed that the most vulnerable, particularly women and children, are suffering the greatest consequences of a conflict that has resulted in a tragic loss of human lives.
Testimonies from those affected reveal that in addition to direct attacks, the RSF have looted markets and homes, burned farms, and attacked communities in places like Safita Ghanoubab, Al Hilaliya, and Al Aziba. A large number of residents have been forced to flee in search of safety, while those who remain face constant threats.
Nkweta-Salami insisted that the protection of civilians is paramount and emphasized that attacks on civilian property and public infrastructure are prohibited by International Humanitarian Law. She urged for these actions to cease immediately, labeling them as unacceptable.
Currently, humanitarian partners are working to gather more information and verify the number of fatalities, as well as mobilize resources to assist those displaced by the violence. Many of those who have fled have found refuge in the states of Gedaref and Kassala, which already host hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons.
Since April 2023, Sudan has been engulfed in a violent power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF, leading to the displacement of over 11 million people. The humanitarian crisis continues to worsen, with nearly 25 million people in need of assistance, and over 13 million facing severe food insecurity. The situation is particularly dire for 3.7 million children under the age of five suffering from severe acute malnutrition, facing a high risk of death from preventable diseases.
Recently, the Deputy High Commissioner of UNHCR and the Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF called on Sudanese authorities to facilitate safe access to communities in need. Despite logistical and administrative challenges, they reaffirmed their commitment to providing vital aid and urged the international community to support a political solution to the conflict.
The officials underscored the urgency of collective action in response to this crisis, urging for an appropriate response to the needs of the Sudanese people.
Referrer: MiMub in Spanish
