UN warns of humanitarian breaking point in Sudan as generals dig in
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The United Nations warned of a humanitarian “breaking point” with no end in sight to the fighting between rival military factions despite a supposed ceasefire extension. Ceasefires have been extended and broken several times over the last few days. The ceasefires were intended to complete evacuations. However, these evacuations were mainly concentrated on rescuing foreign nationals from the country.
At least 528 people have been killed and 4,599 wounded, the according to the United Nations, but it cautioned that the real toll is much higher. Over two weeks of fierce battles between the Sudanese military regime and the paramilitary RSF the real toll is difficult to ascertain.
READ MORE IN PAISAFRICA.ORG – SUDAN CRISIS EXPLAINER
With both sides indicating that there is little chance of a quick resolution to this conflict, a humanitarian disaster has been unleashed on the citizens of Sudan. Vast swathes of Khartoum has been reduced to rubble. Regionally, neighbouring powers could yet be drawn into the conflict while simmering tensions have exploded in the Darfur region.
Both sides had agreed on Sunday to extend a much-violated truce by 72 hours, but airstrikes and anti-aircraft fire was prevalent across the capital city of Sudan yesterday.
After the 2021 coup, a power sharing agreement had been reached between the two rival generals, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and RSF head Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti. The complicated process of a military regime tasked with creating a civilian-led government had been one of the factors that led to this conflict, especially with the military so entrenched within the polity of Sudan.
Civilian demands
The civilian demand for oversight of the military and integration of the RSF into the regular armed forces is a point of contention between the generals. Added to this, sustained calls by civilians for the handover of lucrative military interests in trade, agriculture and other industries that have been subject to military control have added to the tensions.
Another civilian demand is accountability for alleged human rights abuses and war crimes allegedly perpetrated by various military groupings since 2003, up until and beyond the killings of pro-democracy protestors in 2019, in addition to the those killed in protests since the 2021 coup.
Thousands of Sudanese have fled, along with many foreigners pulled out by their governments over the past week in a series of complex operations by air, sea and land.
Those remaining face daily hardship even as their lives are in peril. Power and water supplies are irregular if and where they exist at all. Food is scarce, while most hospitals are not operating at all. Violence as well as hyper-escalation of fuel price has made it almost impossible for citizens to flee the conflict. This is worsened by the fact that the United Nations and other aid organizations have had to cut services because of the unpredictable security situation in Sudan.
Preparing for a protracted battle
Both generals have nominated representatives for talks on monitoring the ceasefire they have agreed, both are also digging in for what could be a protracted battle. Burhan is reported to have said that he would never sit down with Hemedti, who in turn said he would talk only after the army ceased hostilities.
In Sudan’s capital Khartoum, the army has been battling RSF forces entrenched in residential areas. The military regime of Sudan had been targeting RSF forces across the city with drone strikes and air strikes from fighter jets.
Evacuations
The two warring generals have been under pressure to enforce a ceasefire and give safe passage for aid. The UN refugee agency said at least 50,000 people had managed to leave Sudan, crossing borders with Chad, Egypt, South Sudan and Ethiopia as well as crossing the Red Sea on boats.
Meanwhile, 22 South Africans who had been stranded on a boat in Egypt have been released by Egyptian authorities. The group had fled from Sudan but were stranded after waiting for official clearance to make their way home. They had contacted South African NGO Gift of the Givers and told them of their plight. The order to release them had been given on Monday evening.
The final group of South Africans to be evacuated from Sudan touched down on Sunday and were welcomed by the South African Department of International Relations and Co-operation.
