The United Nations raised alarms today over the deteriorating situation in Sudan. Millions are grappling with severe food shortages, and many are succumbing due to the absence of medical care.
This crisis follows four months since the outbreak of a devastating war that wrecked the capital, Khartoum, and spurred ethnically-motivated attacks in Darfur.
According to a joint statement by the United Nations agencies, “Time is running out for farmers to sow the crops that feed them and their neighbors. Medical supplies are scant. The situation is spiraling out of control.”
The conflict between the Sudanese army and the semi-military Rapid Support Forces has plunged the nation into chaos, sounding alarm bells about potential disturbances and regional instability.
This strife, which began on April 15th, stemmed from tensions associated with the proposed transition to civilian rule. The war has resulted in the displacement of over four million people, with nearly one million fleeing to neighboring countries.
Civilian casualties are mounting in the areas affected by the onslaught. Elizabeth Thorssell, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, commented in a briefing in Geneva, “Many of the deceased remain uncollected, unidentified, or unburied.” Leila Bakr, an official with the UN Population Fund, added that reports of sexual violations have surged by 50%.
Those who remain in Khartoum and the cities in the regions of Darfur and Kordofan face widespread looting, prolonged power, communication, and water outages. The National Electricity Corporation announced in a statement that vast areas of the country have been without electricity since Sunday, accompanied by the breakdown of mobile phone networks.
The UN estimates indicate that seasonal rains, which escalate the risk of waterborne diseases, have destroyed or damaged homes of up to 13,500 individuals.
In a speech delivered on Monday, Army Chief, Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, accused the Rapid Support Forces of seeking to revert the nation to a pre-modern state and committing unspeakable crimes.
