London – Sudan is trapped in a “nightmare of violence” the UN chief has told the Security Council.
This is because the brutal war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continues to rage.
The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people, and nearly 30 percent of Sudan’s population has been displaced.
This has resulted in one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
According to the IOM Director General: “The situation here in Sudan is catastrophic. There is simply no other way to put it. Hunger, disease, and sexual violence are rampant.
“For the people of Sudan, this is a living nightmare.”
Tthe UN refugee agency, (UNHCR), says nearly three million have fled Sudan.
Furthermore, with 26 million people facing acute food insecurity, the war has driven the Zamzam displacement camp in North Darfur into famine.
The World Food Programme calls for full access to Sudan; “It’s about getting food and trucks in there, so it’s important that the gates stay open,” McCain said.
The UNHCR also called for unimpeded access to people in need across the country.
In addition, the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan said in a new detailed report today that a large majority of rape and sexual violence was documented.
The fact-finding mission found women and girls constitute most of the victims.
Men and boys are not spared either, but fewer.
Perhaps because they do not report it.
Sexual violence in Sudan tends to go unreported since there is such a stigma around the issue, which is surrounded by silence and self-isolation.
The war between the SAF and RSF has been marked by atrocities such as mass rape and ethnically motivated killings.
Since the world’s attention has been on the Middle East, what is happening in Sudan is an underreported conflict situation, and we must pay it more attention.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned on Monday, (28 October 2024), the people of Sudan are trapped in a “nightmare of violence, hunger, disease, and displacement”.
Speaking to ambassadors at the Security Council Guterres added: “The suffering is growing by the day, with almost 25 million people now in need of humanitarian assistance.
“It is time for action – decisive action – for peace for the people of Sudan.”
