Sudan Faces Unprecedented Humanitarian Crisis: Insights from the African Union

Conflict hampers aid for those facing famine and violence.

The civil war in Sudan has created a severe humanitarian crisis, according to warnings from the African Union. The ongoing struggle between the Sudanese military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has made it difficult to deliver essential aid to the people in dire need.

Mohamed Ibn Chambas, a leader at the AU, stated that the conflict is blocking humanitarian efforts, causing food shortages and worsening hunger. He highlighted that vulnerable groups, especially children and women, are facing ongoing abuse, while the elderly and sick lack necessary medical care. He described the situation as the worst humanitarian crisis in the world.

The war began in April 2023 and has displaced around 12 million people. Hundreds of thousands of children are now malnourished. Wilson Almeida Adao, another AU official, shared that hospital admissions for malnutrition have soared by 44% in 2024, with over 431,000 children requiring treatment.

Reports of serious violations continue to emerge, including attacks on schools and hospitals, the recruitment of child soldiers, and barriers to humanitarian access. The Sudanese army controls the eastern and northern areas, while the RSF dominates much of the war-torn Darfur region. The UN recently accused the RSF of obstructing aid efforts.

Clementine Nkweta-Salami, a UN humanitarian coordinator, noted that “persistent restrictions and bureaucratic hurdles” enforced by the RSF are preventing critical assistance from reaching those who need it most.

Chambas urged for political dialogue among Sudanese factions to end the violence, emphasizing that military solutions won’t resolve the conflict. He indicated that external forces have played a role in prolonging the crisis.

Ambassador Bankole Adeoye from the AU stressed the need for an inclusive approach involving all Sudanese voices in the quest for a solution and a return to constitutional democracy.

Recently, Sudan’s military government, which has made some gains against the RSF, announced a plan for a transitional government to follow the conflict.

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