CAIRO: The United Nations’ International Organization for Migration (IOM) revealed on Wednesday that the ongoing months-long conflict in Sudan has led to the displacement of more than 5 million people. The situation has continued to deteriorate as clashes between Sudan’s military and a rival paramilitary force persist, with no signs of easing.
According to the IOM, over 4 million individuals have been internally displaced within Sudan since the conflict erupted in mid-April. In addition, approximately 1.1 million people have fled to neighboring countries seeking refuge. Among those who have sought safety abroad, more than 750,000 have crossed into either Egypt or Chad, according to the agency’s data.
Efforts by the international community to mediate the conflict have faced significant challenges and setbacks. Despite at least nine cease-fire agreements being attempted since the outbreak of hostilities, none have been able to hold, leaving the situation on the ground increasingly dire.
Lasting Effects of Sudan Conflict
The conflict in Sudan began nearly five months ago when long-standing tensions between the country’s military, led by General Abdel Fattah Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), commanded by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, escalated into open warfare. The fighting has turned the capital city, Khartoum, into an urban battlefield, with neither side able to secure control over the city.
Additionally, in Sudan’s western Darfur region, which was the scene of a genocidal campaign in the early 2000s, the conflict has evolved into ethnic violence. The RSF have been accused by rights groups and the United Nations of attacking ethnic African groups in the region.
The protracted conflict in Sudan has had devastating humanitarian consequences, displacing millions of people from their homes, causing widespread suffering, and exacerbating instability in the region. As international efforts to broker a lasting peace continue to face challenges, the urgent need for a resolution to the crisis remains paramount.
