Sudan’s Civil War Deepens Humanitarian Crisis as Starvation and Mercenaries Emerge as Major Concerns

As Famine Looms in Sudan, Allegations of Mercenaries and External Intervention Escalate the Conflict

The conflict in Sudan has escalated into a dire humanitarian catastrophe, with recent reports highlighting a deepening crisis characterized by widespread starvation and the use of foreign mercenaries. The war, which has been ongoing for over a year, is pushing the country to the brink of famine, while accusations of external involvement further complicate efforts to find a peaceful resolution.

Famine and Desperation in Darfur

In the Darfur region, the humanitarian situation is particularly grim. UN officials are warning of a significant risk of starvation, with the UN citing a “gender emergency” and other sources detailing how people are being forced to eat animal feed to survive. The Sudanese army’s ongoing siege of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, has severely restricted the flow of aid, with key roads blocked and supplies running out. 

This has left thousands in the city at risk of starvation, as humanitarian organizations like UNICEF and MSF warn that children are being brutalized and reduced to “skin and bones” in the besieged region. These accounts underscore a complete breakdown of food security and basic services, painting a picture of a population abandoned to the whims of the warring factions.

Escalating Conflict and External Involvement

The conflict is not only defined by its humanitarian toll but also by the increasing militarization and alleged external meddling. The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) recently claimed to have destroyed a United Arab Emirates (UAE) aircraft in Nyala, South Darfur, which they stated was carrying an estimated 40 Colombian mercenaries and weapons intended for the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia. 

This claim, which the UAE has not yet confirmed, has been followed by reports that the UAE has banned Sudanese airplanes from its airports. The use of foreign fighters, including these mercenaries, is further inflaming a conflict that has already displaced millions and is taking a deadly toll on civilians, particularly in Darfur. The involvement of international actors through the supply of arms and fighters not only prolongs the war but also transforms it into a proxy conflict with wider regional implications.

The convergence of a catastrophic famine with external military intervention paints a bleak picture for Sudan’s future. The international community faces a critical challenge in not only providing immediate humanitarian assistance but also in holding all parties, including foreign backers, accountable for a conflict that is causing immense suffering and pushing an entire nation to the brink.

Dire Humanitarian Situation Intensifies

The Darfur region remains a focal point of the crisis, with warnings of imminent famine. The siege of El Fasher by the SAF has severely hampered aid deliveries, leaving countless civilians at risk of starvation. Disturbing accounts detail people resorting to eating animal feed for survival, highlighting the complete collapse of food security. 

Organizations like UNICEF and MSF continue to raise alarm about the brutal conditions and severe malnutrition affecting children in the region. The situation is further compounded by a potential mass casualty event at the Zamzam displacement camp, where a committee investigating an April attack by the RSF and allied forces estimates that over 1500 civilians may have been killed, with an additional 2000 still missing.

Escalating Conflict and Atrocities

Recent weeks have seen a surge in military engagements and accusations of severe human rights violations. In North Kordofan state, the RSF reportedly repelled a SAF assault, capturing and executing dozens of SAF prisoners. Following this, an RSF counteroffensive from Umm Sayyala is claimed to have inflicted heavy losses on the SAF, forcing a retreat. 

Further reports from the Dar Hamar Emergency Room indicate that the RSF has cut off all water sources east of the key cities of Nahud and El Khawi in West Kordofan State, a tactic that will further devastate civilian populations. The conflict continues to be fueled by allegations of external involvement. The SAF recently claimed the downing of a UAE aircraft allegedly carrying 40 Colombian mercenaries and weapons for the RSF in Nyala, South Darfur. 

This claim, alongside reports of the UAE banning Sudanese airplanes, underscores the complex web of regional interests exacerbating the conflict. Moreover, a recent report has accused the RSF and allied forces of committing war crimes and orchestrating ethnic cleansing in the Nuba Mountains region.

Targeting of Civilians and Aid Workers

The safety and security of civilians and aid workers are increasingly under threat. There is growing concern for local traders in Nyala, South Darfur, who are reportedly being kidnapped by the RSF for failing to provide financial or material support. At least 20 traders and two pharmacists are currently missing, highlighting the RSF’s increasingly coercive tactics.

The instability has also spilled over into neighboring South Sudan, where Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has been forced to suspend all activities in Yei River and Morobo counties following the abduction of a staff member. This incident, which occurred during an evacuation due to deteriorating security conditions, follows the earlier abduction of health ministry staff from an MSF ambulance in the same area, demonstrating the severe risks faced by humanitarian organizations operating in the region.

The multifaceted crisis in Sudan, characterized by looming famine, escalating violence, accusations of war crimes and ethnic cleansing, and the targeting of civilians and aid workers, demands urgent and concerted action from the international community to ensure humanitarian access, protect vulnerable populations, and hold all perpetrators accountable.

About The Author