The conflict in Sudan, which began in April 2023, continues to escalate, with the current death toll exceeding 61,000 according to new findings by the Sudan Research Group, associated with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. This staggering number far surpasses the United Nations’ earlier estimates of 20,000 deaths and highlights the severe human cost of the civil strife engulfing the nation, particularly centered around the capital, Khartoum.
Initially sparked by power struggles between General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan’s regular army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, the war has been marked by violent confrontations, leading to what humanitarian workers are now calling the world’s worst crisis, resulting not just from direct violence but exacerbated by preventable diseases and widespread starvation.
Of the alarming estimated 61,000 fatalities, the majority have not been due to combat. Instead, they stem from the collapse of Sudan's healthcare system and rampant food shortages, as civilians struggle to access basic services amid the chaos. Reports indicate significant outbreaks of diseases like cholera and measles, adding to the already desperate conditions faced by millions.
While Khartoum has been the conflict's epicenter, the devastation is felt throughout Sudan, particularly in the wretched conditions of Darfur. The area has been described as being under the shadow of ethnic cleansing, with systematic targeting of specific communities leading to atrocities. The UN has even classified parts of Darfur as facing famine conditions, and agencies report rampant sexual violence and targeted killings.
The RSF, implicated alongside the Sudanese military, is said to be responsible for many of these violations, with international organizations seeking accountability for actions deemed war crimes. Meanwhile, both factions persist with military recruitment efforts and face various accusations of committing human rights abuses.
Evidence has surfaced illustrating the link between international arms transactions and the conflict. A recent investigation by Amnesty International revealed the presence of French-made military equipment being utilized by the RSF. This information highlights violations of the arms embargo established by the United Nations, as the RSF reportedly employs military technology supplied to the United Arab Emirates.
The use of these military systems raises serious questions about how foreign-sourced weapons are fueling the violence. Amnesty’s Secretary-General Agnès Callamard emphasized the need for France and other nations to reassess their arms sales to avoid complicity in Sudan's humanitarian catastrophe. She stated, "If France cannot guarantee these arms won’t be used to commit atrocities, it should not authorize their transfer."
With over 11 million people displaced due to the fighting, humanitarian agencies warn of widespread famine and dire shortages of food and medical supplies. The chaotic environment has hindered systematic recording of casualties, leading some experts to predict the true death toll could be more than double current figures, potentially reaching upwards of 150,000, as indicated by the US Special Envoy for Sudan, Tom Perriello.
International reactions range from calls for stronger humanitarian assistance to potential diplomatic efforts aimed at ceasing hostilities. The culmination of these chaotic narratives has led the UN Security Council to prepare for discussions around ceasefire resolutions, calling for both parties to immediately halt hostilities and engage sincerely toward peace talks.
Recent drafts suggest immediate measures to protect civilians and allow unhindered humanitarian access, alongside enforcement of the arms embargo aimed at curtailing the bloodshed. Yet, the history of ineffective resolutions casts doubt on how impactful these new measures might be.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, leading the session on the 18th of November, pointed out the urgent need to secure safe passage for relief efforts and to safeguard vulnerable populations caught up in the conflict. Yet uncertainties loom over the effectiveness of such dialogues, especially with apparent divisions within the Security Council and the complex dynamics on the ground.
For many, the humanitarian crisis escalates daily, as the international community continues to grapple with how to address what some are denoting as potentially one of the most tragic chapters of 21st-century warfare. The plight of Sudanese civilians calls for urgent global attention; without concerted actions and diplomatic engagement, the risk of descending even farther remains painfully high. The war, famine, and disease create grim scenarios as generations of people bear the brunt of power struggles, leaving many at the mercy of indifference and neglect.
