Sudan militia accused of mass killings and sexual violence as attacks escalate
GuardianNOV 12 2024
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Monday that the people of Sudan are enduring a "nightmare" marked by hunger, disease, and ethnic violence amidst the world's largest displacement crisis. However, he also stated that the conditions are not yet suitable for the deployment of a UN force.
Antonio Guterres called for "decisive action" from rival generals Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan, who leads the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to put an end to the ongoing violence. He noted that, 18 months into the war, 25M people now require humanitarian aid.Guterres called for "decisive action" from rival generals Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan, who leads the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to put an end to the ongoing violence. He noted that, 18 months into the war, 25M people now require humanitarian aid.
The UN has reported that since fighting erupted between the army (SAF) and the paramilitary RSF in April 2023, at least 12,260 people have died and over 33K injured. Mass killings and sexual violence are reportedly ravaging the country, leaving the people distraught.The UN has reported that since fighting erupted between the army (SAF) and the paramilitary RSF in April 2023, over 12.2K people have died and over 33K have been injured. Mass killings and sexual violence are reportedly ravaging the country, leaving the people distraught.
As Sudan burns, a cynical game of internationalgeopolitical chess unfolds. The UAE funnels weapons to the RSF while Egypt and Saudi Arabia back the opposing SAF. Russia plays both sides opportunistically, even as arms from China, Turkey, Iran, and Serbia flood the battlefield. Meanwhile, the same neighborsneighboring countries arming the conflict turn away desperate refugees. The UN's humanitarian efforts remain critically underfunded despite the international community's indifference.
The unspeakable and underreported tragedy of Sudan is the suffering of its children. Nearly 5M young ones are onsuffering thefrom run,hunger while— countlessmany othersin waste away from hunger. In crowded refugee camps, children cry through the night from empty stomachs. Once-ambitious students who nurtured dreams now sit idle, their education stolen. Each day brings new horrors: — child soldiers, sexual violence, and the crushing weight of trauma. A generation stands at the precipice, theirwith childhoodall shatteredstakeholders byin adultthe conflictsconflict theybearing neverresponsibility chosefor their future.