Ongoing Sudan Conflict: A Humanitarian Crisis Described as ‘War on People’

The conflict in Sudan is described as a “war on people” by MSF’s Christopher Lockyear. He highlights the extensive violence displacing millions and warnings of inadequate global humanitarian response. Recent atrocities include bombardment of civilians and brutality by both the military and the RSF. The situation has compelled MSF to suspend operations in critical areas like the Zamzam camp housing the internally displaced.

The ongoing conflict in Sudan has been described as “a war on people” by Christopher Lockyear, the Secretary General of Doctors Without Borders (MSF). As the humanitarian crisis nears its third anniversary, he explained to the UN Security Council that unchecked violence has displaced millions and resulted in tens of thousands of deaths.

Mr. Lockyear expressed grave concerns over the targeting of civilian lives amid the persistent violence. He criticized the international community’s response as insufficient, citing obstructions by the combatants and a lack of accountability, resources, and leadership. He stated that this unacceptable state of affairs must be addressed.

The Sudanese Armed Forces have been accused of extensive bombardment of densely populated areas, while the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their allied militias have engaged in extreme brutality, including systematic sexual violence, abductions, mass killings, and looting of humanitarian supplies, contributing to the national crisis.

Since April 2023, conflict has raged between the RSF and the military, displacing more than 12 million people according to United Nations reports. The struggle originated from disputes over the integration of the RSF into the national army and has since fractured Sudan into territories dominated by the SAF in the east and north, and the RSF in western Darfur and southern regions.

Mr. Lockyear lamented that as official statements are made, civilians suffer immeasurably without protection, enduring bombings, sieges, and deprivation of basic needs such as food and medical care. He highlighted the inadequacies of the humanitarian response, which has been hindered by bureaucratic processes, insecurity, and indecision, warning it might lead to a significant reduction in humanitarian assistance historically.

In light of the escalating violence, MSF has been forced to suspend its operations in the Zamzam camp for internally displaced persons, which accommodates approximately 500,000 individuals afflicted by famine and insecurity.

The conflict in Sudan, characterized as a relentless attack on its civilian population, has led to immense suffering and displacement. Leaders such as Christopher Lockyear of MSF stress the urgent need for international accountability and a robust humanitarian response. Without immediate intervention, the already dire conditions are poised to worsen significantly, impacting millions who are in desperate need of aid.

Original Source: www.thenationalnews.com