Sudan Crisis: UN Calls for Immediate Ceasefire Amidst Worsening Humanitarian Emergency

The United Nations Security Council convened in New York to address the escalating crisis in Sudan, where civilians are suffering amidst brutal fighting between rival military factions. Simultaneously, the Geneva-based Human Rights Council heard independent investigators describe the combatants’ "blatant disregard" for fundamental human rights and international law, painting a dire picture of the situation on the ground.

The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has plunged the country into political instability, a severe humanitarian emergency, and widespread human rights violations. Over 15,500 fatalities have been reported in approximately 1,400 violent incidents targeting civilians, and nearly 9.5 million people have been forcibly displaced, with 7.3 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) and 1.9 million seeking refuge in neighboring countries.

The humanitarian crisis in Sudan is reaching catastrophic proportions. Around 18 million people are acutely food insecure, and five million are facing starvation, with pregnant women and new mothers among the most vulnerable. The provincial capital of North Darfur, El Fasher, with a pre-war population of about 1.5 million and an additional 800,000 IDPs, is under relentless bombardment and aerial attacks. Atrocities against civilians, particularly along ethnic lines, are rampant.

Martha Pobee, UN Assistant Secretary-General at the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, highlighted the severe impact on civilians. "Civilians are in the line of fire. Nowhere is safe for them," she said, calling for an immediate ceasefire and de-escalation in line with Security Council resolution 2736 adopted last week. Pobee stressed the urgent need for a ceasefire in El Fasher to prevent further atrocities, protect critical infrastructure, and alleviate civilian suffering.

Why this matters: The ongoing conflict has severe humanitarian implications. With millions displaced and facing starvation, the need for immediate and sustained aid is critical. Edem Wosornu, Director of Operations at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), detailed the challenges faced by relief efforts. Despite some recent improvements in access, aid operations continue to struggle with serious obstacles, including attacks against personnel. "Six aid workers, all Sudanese nationals, have been killed over the last six weeks," Wosornu reported, adding that the $2.7 billion UN-led humanitarian appeal is drastically underfunded, with only 16 percent of the required funds received.

The conflict in Sudan poses a significant risk to regional stability. The potential for the conflict to spill over into neighboring countries is high, threatening to destabilize an already volatile region. The international community must take swift action to prevent the conflict from escalating further and spilling over into neighboring countries.

The Human Rights Council in Geneva heard from Mohamed Chande Othman, Chair of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) for Sudan, who underscored the human rights abuses taking place. "We have received credible accounts of indiscriminate attacks against civilians and civilian objects," Othman said, detailing mass killings and other atrocities. The FFM's investigations reveal a grim picture of widespread violations of international humanitarian law.

The international community has repeatedly called for an immediate ceasefire, but the fighting persists. Both the UN Security Council and the Human Rights Council stressed the need for warring parties to abide by international humanitarian law, protect civilians, and ensure accountability for violations. Martha Pobee and Mohamed Chande Othman emphasized the critical need for commanders to instruct their forces to cease attacks on civilians and humanitarian workers, allow unfettered access to aid, and facilitate the delivery of essential services to those in need.

Key Takeaways

• The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has caused over 15,500 fatalities and displaced nearly 9.5 million people.
• Severe humanitarian conditions include acute food insecurity affecting 18 million people, with 5 million facing starvation.
• The situation in El Fasher, North Darfur, is particularly dire, with relentless bombardment and atrocities committed along ethnic lines.
• The UN-led humanitarian appeal for Sudan is significantly underfunded, with only 16 percent of the required $2.7 billion received, hindering relief efforts.
• The international community is calling for an immediate ceasefire and adherence to international humanitarian law to protect civilians and aid workers.