Beyond the Headlines: Unraveling the Crisis in Sudan

The UN human rights office (OHCHR) has reported a shocking increase in civilian deaths in Sudan, with at least 275 people killed between January 31st and February 5th. This is a massive jump, tripling the previous week’s toll of 89 deaths. The fighting is getting worse, with humanitarian disaster brewing in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states, according to UN Humanitarian Coordinator Clementine Nkweta-Salami.

The violence has escalated, with artillery, airstrikes, and drone attacks hitting populated areas like Khartoum and the Darfur and Kordofan regions. In Kadugli, South Kordofan’s capital, at least 80 civilians have died, and there are reports of women and children being used as human shields. Meanwhile, the risk of more fighting in Blue Nile is rising due to reports of mass mobilization.

OHCHR spokesperson Seif Magango stated that this sharp rise in deaths highlights the danger civilians are in, due to the failure of those involved in the conflict to protect them.

Furthermore, humanitarian aid workers are also being targeted. Local groups say some aid workers are wrongly accused of helping the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), leading to threats and violence. Tragically, at least 57 members of a local volunteer network have been killed since the conflict began in April 2023. The situation is made worse by a lack of medical supplies and growing food shortages, especially in South Kordofan where malnutrition is increasing.

OHCHR is urgently calling on all sides of the conflict to stop the indiscriminate attacks and violence against civilians. They demand that the Sudanese Armed Forces, the Rapid Support Forces, and their allies uphold international law and actively protect civilians, including humanitarian workers and human rights defenders.

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At a crucial African Union summit in Addis Ababa on Friday, the UN Secretary-General painted a grim picture of Sudan, calling the violence a “catastrophe of staggering scale and brutality.” He warned of the escalating conflict’s potential to destabilize the surrounding region. The UN has strongly condemned the fighting. Furthermore, the Secretary-General’s representative for Sudan, Ramtane Lamamra, is actively working to achieve peace, collaborating closely with regional bodies like the African Union.

The UN has taken several measures in response to the crisis in Sudan:

• Condemnation: The UN, including the Secretary-General, has issued strong condemnations of the fighting and the violence.
• Diplomatic Efforts: The Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy to Sudan, Ramtane Lamamra, is actively engaged in supporting peace efforts.
• Collaboration with Regional Organizations: The UN is working closely with regional organizations, such as the African Union, to coordinate efforts and seek solutions.
• Humanitarian Assistance: The UN has provided humanitarian aid and support to those affected by the conflict, although the level of access and the ability to deliver aid has been severely hampered by the ongoing fighting.
• Advocacy: The UN has used its platform to advocate for an end to the violence, the protection of civilians, and respect for international humanitarian law.
• Monitoring and Reporting: The UN is actively monitoring the situation, documenting human rights violations, and providing reports to the international community.

It’s important to remember that the UN’s ability to act is often constrained by political realities, the sovereignty of nations, and the need for consensus among member states. The effectiveness of these measures is also significantly affected by the ongoing fighting and the challenges of accessing affected populations.

Based on the need to reduce civilian deaths and improve the humanitarian situation in Sudan, here are some potential measures that could be taken:

• Immediate Ceasefire and Negotiations: The most crucial step is to establish a comprehensive and sustainable ceasefire between the warring factions. This should be followed by inclusive peace negotiations, involving all relevant parties, including civilian representatives, to address the root causes of the conflict.
• Protection of Civilians:
  • Establishment of Safe Zones: Create designated safe zones and corridors for civilians, ensuring their protection from attacks and facilitating safe passage to areas with humanitarian assistance.
  • Monitoring and Accountability: Implement robust monitoring mechanisms to track human rights violations and war crimes, and hold perpetrators accountable through international legal avenues.
  • Targeted Sanctions: Impose targeted sanctions on individuals and entities responsible for violence, human rights abuses, and obstruction of humanitarian aid.
  • Human Shielding: The use of human shields should be stopped and condemned by all parties.
• Humanitarian Access and Assistance:
  • Unfettered Access: Ensure full and unimpeded humanitarian access to all areas affected by the conflict, including safe passage for aid workers and supplies.
  • Increased Funding: Mobilize substantial financial resources from international donors to address the urgent humanitarian needs, including food, water, medical supplies, and shelter.
  • Aid Worker Protection: Guarantee the safety and security of humanitarian personnel, and take measures to prevent attacks on aid convoys and facilities.
  • Medical Assistance: Provide medical supplies, establish field hospitals, and support the training of medical staff to treat the wounded.
• Addressing Root Causes:
  • Political Reforms: Support political reforms that address the grievances of marginalized communities, promote inclusive governance, and ensure respect for human rights and the rule of law.
  • Transitional Justice: Establish transitional justice mechanisms to address past and present human rights violations, promote reconciliation, and build a foundation for sustainable peace.
  • Economic Development: Invest in long-term economic development programs to address poverty, inequality, and other underlying factors that contribute to conflict.
• International Engagement:
  • Diplomatic Pressure: Maintain sustained diplomatic pressure on all parties to the conflict, urging them to respect international humanitarian law and engage in peaceful dialogue.
  • UN Peacekeeping/Monitoring: Explore the possibility of deploying a UN peacekeeping mission or a robust monitoring mechanism to help implement a ceasefire, protect civilians, and facilitate humanitarian access.
  • Regional Cooperation: Strengthen cooperation with neighboring countries and regional organizations to coordinate efforts to address the crisis and promote a peaceful resolution.

These are general recommendations; the specific measures and their implementation will depend on the evolving situation and the willingness of the parties involved to work towards peace.

“The Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces—and their allied movements and militias—must respect their international law obligations and take concrete steps to protect civilians from harm, including humanitarian workers and human rights defenders,” OHCHR spokesperson Mr.Seif Magango emphasised.

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Suparna Rao, Staff Reporter