KHARTOUM, Sudan: In the throes of a relentless conflict in Sudan, Mohamed Ibrahim finds himself uprooted once more, fleeing the violence that has tragically followed him from Khartoum to Wad Madani. This city, initially a haven for displaced families, now bears the brunt of the conflict, forcing over half a million people to seek refuge elsewhere.
As the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces advanced on the villages between Khartoum and Wad Madani, the exodus intensified. By the fourth day of brutal battles, at least 250,000 individuals had fled Al-Jazirah state, many in a state of panic and with no alternative but to escape on foot, according to the United Nations.
The already fragile infrastructure, ravaged by eight months of conflict between Sudan’s army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, left countless families with no safe haven. The spread of fighting has disrupted aid operations, with the UN’s World Food Programme suspending food assistance in parts of Al-Jazirah, marking a significant setback.
In Sennar, south of Wad Madani, families struggle to find shelter, reliving the difficulties they faced upon their initial displacement. As the conflict persists, people resort to walking long distances in search of safety, reminiscent of the early days in Khartoum. Fighter jets overhead, closed shops, and the looming threat of sexual violence intensify the desperation felt by these displaced individuals.
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The situation is dire, with over 5.4 million people displaced within the country and another 1.4 million seeking refuge abroad. The UN warns of a deepening forced displacement crisis, compounded by a healthcare system stretched to its limits. Hospitals in conflict-affected areas are mostly out of service, while facilities in non-conflict states are overwhelmed by the influx of displaced people.
As paramilitary forces claim the “liberation” of Wad Madani, civilians face a profound humanitarian crisis. Disease outbreaks, including cholera and dengue fever, plague areas like Gedaref. The conflict’s toll on civilians and the healthcare system underscores the urgent need for international intervention.
In the face of this tragedy, the RSF’s call for displaced citizens to return home lacks credibility. Accusations of violations against civilians persist, and promises of support and protection ring hollow in a reality where both have been conspicuously absent for the past eight months. The displaced families of Sudan continue to endure the consequences of a conflict that shows no signs of abating, leaving them in a state of perpetual uncertainty and fear.
