Sudan's Civilian Crisis: A Year of Violence and Neglect

The aid group Medecins Sans Frontieres reports that civilians in Sudan are enduring severe violence and suffering due to over a year of conflict between the army and paramilitary forces. The collapse of the healthcare system and lack of international humanitarian response have worsened the situation, with extensive accounts of abuse, looting, forced evictions, and sexual violence.

The aid group Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders - MSF) revealed on Monday that civilians in Sudan have been enduring severe violence amid over a year of conflict between the army and a rival paramilitary force. MSF stated that both sides have repeatedly attacked and exploited civilians.

According to MSF, the collapse of Sudan's health system and the insufficient international humanitarian response have exacerbated the physical and mental wounds of violence. Thousands of war-wounded have been treated by MSF teams in areas affected by bombing and shelling of residential homes and essential infrastructure, the report added.

Access to lifesaving care has drastically diminished due to shortages, widespread obstruction and looting of medical supplies, insecurity, and attacks on patients and medical staff. Both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) were accused of showing blatant disregard for human life and international law. A response from either side was not immediately available.

The conflict, which started in April 2023, was triggered by a plan to integrate the army and paramilitary forces during a transition to free elections after the long-ruling autocrat Omar al-Bashir was overthrown in 2019. Mediation efforts have so far failed to end the hostilities, and estimated death tolls are in the tens of thousands.

MSF reported that refugees and displaced people have recounted horrific stories of inhuman treatment and violence, citing systematic cases of forced eviction, looting, and arson. Pervasive sexual and gender-based violence remains heavily underreported due to stigma, fear of retaliation, and lack of protection services.

MSF called on the warring parties to halt attacks on residential areas, ensure safe passage, protect infrastructure from further damage and looting, and cease targeted violence and abuse, including ethnic and sexual violence.

(With inputs from agencies.)