The ongoing conflict in Sudan requires a different type of humanitarian response due to its multi-level insecurities that cause fighting everywhere, the inability of any side to enforce its rule anywhere and persistent uncertainty, according to an op-ed in Al Jazeera. An unconventional strategy of maximising insecurity and making normal life impossible for everybody by barricading themselves in hospitals, ministries, private homes and anywhere else is being adopted by the RSF. The latter acts as a sniping position to spread terror on the streets and inside homes, forcing people to flee and impeding the functioning of public services, including healthcare, food distribution and transportation, in order to have leverage over SAF, neighbouring countries and the international community to accept their demands. Traditional humanitarian strategies for delivering aid would not work in this situation of heightened insecurity. The ill-fated UNAMID peacekeeping mission in Darfur between 2007-2020 is a textbook case of how the structures of UN operations can subvert the very humanitarian purpose of the organisation. During the famines of 1973-74 and 1984-85, President Jaafar Nimeiry refused to declare an emergency or even admit hunger was happening.
Armed conflict between rival Sudanese factions has caused over one million people to flee their homes, according to the United Nations refugee agency. Over 250,000 refugees have crossed into neighbouring countries since 15 April 2021, with a further 843,000 people now displaced internally. The worst fighting has been in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, and in Darfur, in western Sudan, where clashes have mainly occurred between Arab and Masalit communities. Over 60,000 refugees have fled to Chad where health items, food, and protection measures are needed. Resources for refugee relief in Chad have been overstretched even before the conflict broke out, exacerbating the situation.
The US Agency for International Development has announced an additional $100m in funding for Sudan and affected countries. The money will be used to increase support for partners on the ground and funnel resources into Sudan to meet humanitarian needs caused by the fighting. Agencies also plan to move refugees from informal settlements along the border to deeper parts of Chad, before the rainy season starts in about four weeks to avoid any potential for further conflict.
US diplomat Samantha Power said the US is working to bring the two rival parties to the negotiating table to stop the fighting. The number of people in need of humanitarian assistance has now risen by over 50%. Reports of gender-based violence against women by militias and soldiers are on the rise. Individuals or factions seeking to take advantage of people in their time of need and refugees are also of concern. The US is calling on the forces who have unleashed war on civilians to be accountable for opening and clearing the border, so people can cross when necessary.
Fighting continues in Sudan's capital, Khartoum, as artillery fire pounds the outer areas and air attacks strike Omdurman and Khartoum North. The conflict between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has led to a collapse in law and order, putting residents at risk. Displaced almost 1.1 million individuals internally and into neighbouring countries, people in the region face a humanitarian crisis. Moreover, a locally brokered peace deal in Nyala, one of Sudan's largest cities, has broken down after two days of fighting killed at least 30 people. Talks sponsored by the United States and Saudi Arabia and multiple ceasefire agreements have not reached a resolution. The US Agency for International Development has earmarked $100m+ for Sudan and countries helping Sudanese refugees.
The US and Saudi Arabia have brokered a ceasefire agreement in Sudan between the country's army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) after six weeks of fighting that has killed 705 people and displaced 1.1 million others. However, several previous ceasefires have been violated and there is scepticism among the Sudanese people that this one will be adhered to. The agreement will be monitored and enforced by a “US-Saudi and international-supported” mechanism, but no further details have been provided.
The UN has warned that conflict in Sudan has displaced nearly 850,000 people internally and forced 250,000 to flee across its borders. More than half of Sudan's population is also in need of aid and protection, according to UN estimates. A ceasefire agreement between warring factions will take effect from 9:45pm Khartoum time tonight and will be enforced by a US-Saudi-supported mechanism. Last week, the US pledged over €100m to support Sudan and neighbouring countries in dealing with displaced people. The conflict in Sudan has caused needs to spiral, with the revised Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan now costing €2.36bn ($2.86bn) until the end of 2021.
Fighting between Sudanese warring factions could still be heard in the capital, Khartoum, despite a week-long ceasefire deal that is due to start on Monday. The deal, brokered by Saudi Arabia and the US, is the first in which the sides have signed a truce agreement and allows for the delivery of humanitarian aid. Eyewitnesses reported the sound of clashes in central and southern Khartoum on Sunday. Senior army general Yassir al-Atta said residents being attacked in their homes should be able to act in self-defence.
Pope Francis has called for both sides of the recent conflict in Sudan to stop fighting and to prioritize a ceasefire. As of last weekend, more than 280 people had been killed when the Sudanese Rapid Support Forces and related militias entered the city of Geneina to clash with armed residents. Doctors also stated that over 800 civilians have been killed since the fighting began.
Aid worker in Sudan fears the worst if latest ceasefire doesn't hold
CBC
23-05-22 21:55
A seven-day ceasefire negotiated by the US and Saudi Arabia began Monday in Sudan to allow the flow of humanitarian aid to civilians who have been cut off from most basic necessities due to conflict between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. The United Nations estimates that 700 people have been killed and more than a million displaced since mid-April, with most of the fighting taking place in the capital Khartoum. No previous ceasefires have held and lack of supplies for aid workers continues to be a problem. The Norwegian Refugee Council continues to try to help children who have fled the conflict.
