The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has launched a series of attacks in North Kordofan, Sudan, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region. The attacks have resulted in the displacement of tens of thousands of people, who are seeking refuge in the city of el-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan. Hamisa, a 60-year-old woman, fled her village with her seven teenage children after the RSF stormed her home, burning huts and farms, and firing artillery at women and children. “While we were escaping, we saw the [RSF] kill six young men in front of us,” she said.
The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF has produced one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. The RSF’s recent attacks in North Kordofan have pushed the region to the brink of catastrophe, with reports of mass killings, rape, and other atrocities. The violence has also led to a severe shortage of food, water, and shelter, with many people struggling to survive.
The city of el-Obeid is a strategic hub for the SAF, and its control is crucial for the military’s operations in the region. However, the RSF’s attacks have raised concerns that the city may fall to the rebel forces, which would have devastating consequences for the people of Sudan. Nathaniel Raymond, head of the Humanitarian Research Lab at the Yale School of Public Health, warned that if the SAF loses el-Obeid, it would significantly impact their ability to project force outside of Khartoum.
The humanitarian situation in el-Obeid is dire, with many people living in overcrowded shelters with limited access to food, water, and sanitation. The risk of disease outbreaks, including cholera, is high, particularly with the onset of the rainy season. Emmanuel Ufot, director of Emergency Programs in North Sudan for Mercy Corps, said that only about 5% of the displaced people in el-Obeid have a sturdy roof over their heads, while the rest live in huts or without any shelter.
The RSF’s attacks have also led to a severe shortage of humanitarian aid, with many organizations unable to reach the affected areas. Ufot said that the situation is catastrophic, and the international community needs to do more to support the people of Sudan. “We have to factor in the women, babies, elderly, and disabled. These are people that will not be able to run when there is a lot of conflict,” he said.
The situation in Sudan is a complex and multifaceted crisis, with deep-rooted historical and political factors. The conflict between the SAF and the RSF has its roots in the country’s tumultuous past, including the Darfur conflict and the ousting of former President Omar al-Bashir. The international community has been working to address the crisis, but more needs to be done to support the people of Sudan and bring an end to the violence.