The United Nations migration agency has issued a grave warning, stating that the humanitarian crisis in conflict-ridden Sudan has reached a “catastrophic breaking point.” The ongoing fighting and severe flooding have exacerbated the already dire situation in the country, with peace talks scheduled for later this week facing uncertainty as Sudan’s military is yet to confirm its participation in the discussions arranged in Switzerland by the United States and Saudi Arabia.
Sudan descended into turmoil in April last year following escalating tensions between the military and the Rapid Support Forces, a notorious paramilitary group. The conflict initially erupted in the capital, Khartoum, before spreading throughout the nation, with the western region of Darfur experiencing particularly brutal bouts of violence. Mass casualties, mass rape, and ethnically motivated killings have been reported, leading to allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity by the U.N. and international human rights organizations.
The war in Sudan has resulted in the world’s largest displacement crisis, with over 10.7 million individuals forced to flee their homes since the conflict began. Among them, more than 2 million have sought refuge in neighboring countries due to the violence and instability. The recent devastating floods across 11 of Sudan’s 18 provinces have added to the plight, claiming numerous lives and destroying critical infrastructure.
According to Othman Belbeisi, the regional director of the International Organization for Migration, the situation is at a critical juncture: “We are at a breaking point, a catastrophic, cataclysmic breaking point.” He cautioned that unless there is an immediate, significant, and coordinated global response, the upcoming months could witness tens of thousands of preventable deaths.
Recent reports confirm that a massive camp for displaced persons in Darfur has descended into famine, underscoring the severity of the hunger crisis in Sudan. Experts from the Famine Review Committee estimate that more than half of Sudan’s population, approximately 25.6 million people, will face acute food shortages. Ongoing conflicts persist in Darfur’s al-Fasher city and the southeastern Sennar province, resulting in the displacement of over 700,000 individuals last month alone.
Despite efforts to convene a new round of cease-fire talks on Wednesday in Switzerland, Sudan’s military presence remains uncertain. U.S. special envoy for Sudan, Tom Perriello, disclosed that while the Rapid Support Forces have committed to attending, the Sudanese military has not confirmed its participation. Attempts to persuade the military during a meeting in Jeddah did not yield results, with Perriello expressing hope that the Sudanese Armed Forces will ultimately engage in the discussions, which will be overseen by the U.N., African Union, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates.
The international community, including respective regional bodies and key stakeholders, is closely monitoring the situation in Sudan, with a collective emphasis on initiating urgent interventions to alleviate the suffering and prevent further loss of life.
