By Adonis Byemelwa
Sudan’s catastrophic civil war continues to rage, leaving millions of civilians trapped in an endless cycle of violence, starvation, and displacement.
Since the conflict erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the country has descended into chaos, with both sides accused of committing heinous atrocities against civilians.
The death toll continues to climb, and the scale of suffering has turned Sudan into a symbol of international neglect, where the world’s collective failure to intervene is on full display.
Suphian Mbalazi, a Tanzanian student who narrowly escaped Sudan, recounted his harrowing journey to safety.
“The situation was unbearable,” he said from Morogoro, where he now resides after fleeing the war. “Khartoum was like a battlefield. You couldn’t tell who was fighting who—there was just death and destruction everywhere. I left behind my studies, my belongings, everything.”
His account echoes the experiences of millions who have been displaced by the violence, forced to leave behind their homes and lives to survive.
The statistics paint a grim picture. Over 30.4 million people—more than half the country’s population—are in desperate need of humanitarian aid. The number of displaced has soared, with over 11 million people seeking refuge within Sudan and another three million fleeing to neighboring countries like Chad and South Sudan.
But these neighboring states, already grappling with limited resources, are overwhelmed by the influx of refugees. Without international support, they are struggling to provide even necessities.
In displacement camps like Zamzam, famine is no longer a looming threat—it is a grim reality. During the 2024 lean season, 750,000 people faced catastrophic food insecurity, and starvation became a daily occurrence.
Humanitarian agencies have repeatedly warned that without a ceasefire, the death toll from hunger will only escalate.
“The world cannot afford to look away,” said Eitazaz Yousif, the Sudan country director for the International Rescue Committee. “An immediate ceasefire is critical to prevent mass deaths from the hunger crisis spreading across Sudan.”
Meanwhile, Sudan’s healthcare system has collapsed under the weight of the conflict. Hospitals have been bombed, looted, or occupied by armed groups, leaving civilians without access to essential medical services.
The World Health Organization has verified at least 119 attacks on healthcare facilities since the war began, but the real number is likely much higher.
Cholera death rates in Sudan are now triple the global average, and treatable diseases such as malaria are claiming thousands of lives.
Children, already weakened by malnutrition, are especially vulnerable to disease outbreaks, with vaccination efforts completely disrupted by the fighting.
Godfrey Muchungu, an international political analyst based in Dar es Salaam, believes foreign interference has exacerbated Sudan’s plight.
“This war isn’t just a Sudanese problem,” he said. “It’s a war fueled by external actors like Russia and the United Arab Emirates and the US, who are flooding the country with firearms.
These powers have turned Sudan into a battleground for their geopolitical interests, with no regard for the human cost.” His claims underscore the broader issue of global complacency in the face of Sudan’s unraveling.
The scale of violence in Sudan is staggering, with both SAF and RSF forces accused of using civilians as pawns in their struggle for power. Indiscriminate airstrikes, barrel bombs, and ground attacks have turned neighborhoods into war zones.
Civilians are trapped between the two factions, facing not only the threat of violence but also deliberate starvation. Both sides have reportedly weaponized hunger by destroying farmland, looting aid, and blocking humanitarian convoys.
Said Msonga, a Tanzanian analyst, expressed frustration with the lack of decisive action from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
Speaking on UTV, he said, “The international community has been ineffective in addressing the crisis. Sudan doesn’t need empty statements; it needs robust intervention. If we wait any longer, there will be nothing left to save.”
The humanitarian response on the ground has been spearheaded by local networks like the Emergency Response Rooms (ERRs), which have filled the gaps left by international agencies. These grassroots groups provide food, water, and medical supplies to the most vulnerable populations, often at great personal risk.
ERR volunteers have been targeted by both SAF and RSF forces, with at least 69 killed since the war began. In one incident, a humanitarian convoy attempting to evacuate civilians was attacked, highlighting the dangers faced by those working to save lives in Sudan.
Civilians in areas like Khartoum North, which has become an epicenter of the conflict, face unimaginable horrors.
Relief workers describe a desperate situation where families are forced to navigate dangerous roads littered with checkpoints, airstrikes, and armed groups.
“There’s so much random gunfire on the roads, and RSF fighters are robbing and killing people indiscriminately,” said a relief worker who spoke to Al Jazeera on condition of anonymity.
The crisis in Darfur, meanwhile, has deepened amidst ongoing fighting. Reports of ethnic cleansing, sexual violence, and mass killings have emerged from the region, with women and children bearing the brunt of the violence.
“The stories coming out of Darfur are beyond comprehension,” said Muchungu. “Entire communities are being wiped out, and the world is standing by, watching this unfold.”
Adding to the catastrophe, heavy rains and flooding from June to September displaced over 172,500 people and exacerbated the humanitarian crisis.
In the worst-hit areas, including the Red Sea and North Darfur, families are now facing the dual threats of famine and disease outbreaks. The collapse of infrastructure has made it nearly impossible to deliver aid, leaving millions in dire need.
Despite the grim reality, international relief efforts remain inadequate. Humanitarian organizations face constant barriers, from funding shortages to active hostility from armed groups.
In one instance, the Sudanese army acknowledged attacking a humanitarian convoy from the International Committee of the Red Cross, further complicating relief efforts.
Muchungu warned that the international community’s inaction is paving the way for Sudan’s total collapse. “If this war continues unchecked, the consequences will be felt far beyond Sudan’s borders,” he said. “The world must act now—not just with words, but with concrete actions to stop the violence and provide relief to those suffering.”
Msonga echoed this sentiment, calling for accountability and justice for the victims of the conflict. “Both SAF and RSF leaders must answer for their crimes,” he said. “The international community has a responsibility to ensure that justice is served and that Sudanese civilians are protected.”
For people like Mbalazi, the war in Sudan is not just a distant tragedy—it is a personal loss. “I left behind everything,” he said. “My books, my future, my dreams. But there are millions who can’t leave. They are trapped, and they need help.” His plea serves as a powerful reminder that behind every statistic is a human story—a life disrupted, a family torn apart, a future stolen.
Sudan is at a crossroads, and the stakes could not be higher. Without immediate intervention, the country faces a complete humanitarian collapse, with millions more at risk of starvation, disease, and violence. The question now is whether the world will rise to the occasion or continue to turn a blind eye to Sudan’s suffering. As Mbalazi put it, “Sudan is crying out for help. Will anyone listen?”
