Patrick Joseph, the Regional Director for Africa at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), issued a warning on Tuesday regarding the consequences of “desperation and violence” that have been escalating throughout Sudan amid deteriorating humanitarian conditions.
This comes as the Rapid Support Forces announced their control over the 20th Infantry Division of the Army in East Darfur State.
Additionally, a member of the Sudanese Sovereign Council, Taher Hajer, declared his refusal to acknowledge his dismissal and called for an urgent meeting of the nine council members who were relieved of their duties.
The International Committee of the Red Cross reported that it handed over 60 detainees to their families in Nyala city yesterday, following a request from the conflicting parties.
The committee stated in a press release that it and the Sudanese Red Crescent Society receive daily distress calls from families seeking assistance in evacuating their wounded, ill, or at-risk members due to fears of arrest along the way. They have also reported cases of individuals going missing.
The Red Cross emphasized that Patrick Joseph, its Regional Director for Africa, met with Sudanese government officials and representatives of the Rapid Support Forces to “ring the alarm bell” amid the alarming deterioration of humanitarian conditions.
The statement highlighted the widespread sense of despair and violence across Sudan, noting that meaningful negotiations have unfortunately not led to a ceasefire but rather the opposite.
The statement added that military expansion continues in several parts of the country, noting that nearly 20 million Sudanese are facing severe food insecurity due to a 60% increase in food prices since April 2023.
