Sudan is currently engulfed in one of the most devastating civil wars of recent years, where the toll on human life is alarmingly high. A recent study from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine reveals staggering statistics, indicating over 61,000 deaths in Khartoum State alone between April 2023 and June 2024. This number is more than double the official figures provided by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data project, which reported about 20,178 deaths nationwide. The study highlights the severe underreporting of fatalities, with most casualties resulting not just from violence but also from preventable diseases and starvation brought about by the war.
Fighting erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) after disputes among the military leadership escalated. The conflict, which began as tensions between former allies vying for power, has spiraled out of control, leading to rampant human rights violations and humanitarian crises. The UN estimates indicate at least 20,000 lives have been lost since the war's onset, with both sides allegedly utilizing starvation tactics against civilians—a strategy considered abhorrent by international law.
Food security is now dire, with reports of families resorting to scavenging leaves and insects to survive amid widespread famine conditions. Major aid organizations have warned about unprecedented hunger levels, with up to 25 million civilians affected. Humanitarian pathways remain perilous, heavily impacted by conflict, making it challenging for aid to reach those most in need, leaving many to suffer from the consequences of this brutal conflict.
Compounding the crisis, Amnesty International issued findings indicating the presence of UAE-supplied armored vehicles fitted with French defense systems on the battlefield, which could potentially violate UN arms embargoes. These armored personnel carriers have been sighted across conflict zones, particularly in Darfur, where their use by the RSF has raised international concern. The report discussed specific military hardware such as the Nimr Ajban, manufactured by the UAE and equipped with the Galix reactive defense system, produced by French companies. Amnesty International’s Secretary General, Agnès Callamard, stated, "Our research shows weaponry manufactured in France is actively involved on the battlefield," demanding immediate cessation of supply to the UAE by French manufacturers.
The French Ministry of Defense defended its stance, claiming compliance with all export regulations and military assistance provisions. Meanwhile, the UAE has dismissed the allegations, asserting they're being unfairly targeted as part of misinformation efforts disrupting its humanitarian endeavors and foreign policy.
Despite the chaos, some regions exhibit not only bloodshed but also alarming reports of sexual violence, especially against women who have fled their homes. Many Sudanese female refugees recount harrowing experiences of being forced to engage in sex work for survival, highlighting the gendered impacts of the war and the vulnerability of women and children.
International efforts to mediate peace have yielded little to no results, as both sides remain entrenched. The Biden administration has levied sanctions against various actors associated with the conflict, citing human rights abuses and war crimes. Meanwhile, advocacy groups are calling for urgent international intervention, arguing for amplified humanitarian support and stricter measures against the arms flow enabling the continued violence.
Reflecting on the effects of this prolonged civil war, reports predict the possibility of escalated violence should the RSF mount significant offensive operations, especially with their eyes on cities like El Fasher. This potential assault threatens to exacerbate the already catastrophic humanitarian situation as displacements continue to rise. The threat of starvation looms heavily over those trapped within the camps, as the conflict disrupts the delivery of much-needed supplies and aid.
All these events culminate to demonstrate not just the military engagement but the broader humanitarian crisis brewing within Sudan. The international community faces pressing calls to act—whether through intervention, sanctions, or increased aid—while the Sudanese people continue to bear the brunt of decisions made far from their borders.
