SUDAN
Sudan's once vibrant landscapes which were marked by its bustling markets, lively neighbourhoods and communal celebrations, have been transformed into scenes of devastation since April 2023. Life in Sudan has become an unending nightmare for Sudanese civilians as the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) wage a deadly war for control. This struggle for power, rooted in political betrayal, has left ordinary people bearing the brunt of the devastation.
We saw the origins of this war in 2019 with the ousting of Omar al-Bashir by the public in hopes for democracy after his 30 years of oppressive ruling. However, cracks soon appeared as SAF and RSF leaders hijacked the transitional government for their own interests. Their coup in 2021 dismantled civilian leadership, and by April 2023, their talks of merging both the RSF and SAF utterly collapsed, triggering the brutal start of what would be violent clashes across Sudan.
Since April 2023, the toll of civilians has been catastrophic. Over 27,000 lives have been lost, and 11 million have been displaced, with 3 million refugees fleeing to neighbouring countries in hopes of safety and security. Major cities like Khartoum are unrecognisable, having been reduced to battlegrounds. In Darfur, the horrors are unthinkable with villages being razed and families torn apart. The Norwegian Refugee Council’s Jan Egeland described scenes of unspeakable destruction: ‘’Entire villages destroyed, civilians executed, women raped and homes obliterated by airstrikes’’. Egeland goes on to report that in the last month alone, more than 2,500 people were killed and over 250,000 were displaced.
Hunger has become another weapon and starvation is stalking the lands of Sudan. Nearly half the population of 24 million people now face acute hunger, and a further 1.5 million are on the brink of famine. In rural Darfur, mothers have resorted to boiling leaves to feed their children. The RSF and SAF bear direct responsibility as they have blocked aid workers from reaching civilians. Egeland reports that with every delay of humanitarian blocks is a death sentence for families.
In addition to hunger, rape and sexual violence has been wielded as a tool of terror by the RSF, Women and girls in Khartoum recount living in constant fear. ‘’I sleep with a knife under my pillow every night,’’ a young woman told Human Rights Watch. Other survivors have reported gand rapes, forced marriages and abductions. Many have suffered debilitating injuries, while others face psychological scars that may never heal.
Yet, amid this darkness, the Sudanese civilians' resilience continues to shine through. People share what little they have with their displaced neighbours. Youth groups organise relief efforts, defying both sides to deliver aid. However, this is not just Sudan’s fight - it is humanity’s fight. The lives of millions hang in the balance, and their stories deserve to be heard. The world must act to end the violence and ensure safety and peace in Sudan.