New Frontlines and Displacement: The Latest Strife in Sudan’s Kordofan Region
In the heart of Sudan, a renewed conflict sows discord and dislocation as more than 36,000 civilians have fled their homes in the Kordofan region, a strategic zone bridging the conflict-ridden Darfur and the nation’s capital, Khartoum. As the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) gear up for new confrontations, the struggles for power and survival grow ever more intense. The U.N.’s latest reports paint a grim picture of this volatile area, providing a stark reminder of Sudan’s ongoing tumult.
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Turmoil in Central Kordofan
Once a relatively stable region, Central Kordofan has transformed into the latest battleground in a nearly two-year war between Sudan’s army and the RSF. The escalation follows the capture of el-Fasher by the RSF—a crucial loss for the army marking the fall of its last bastion in Darfur. The RSF’s subsequent establishment of a rival governance structure highlights the deepening schism that now reaches the heart of Sudan.
The U.N.’s migration agency has quantified the human cost of these developments, reporting that between October 26 and 31, over 36,000 people have abandoned their homes across five localities in North Kordofan. Residents recount a swelling presence of RSF and army forces, transforming towns and villages into potential conflict zones.
The Strategic Significance of el-Obeid
At the center of this upheaval is el-Obeid, the state capital of North Kordofan and a vital logistical hub linking Darfur to Khartoum. With its airport and central location, control over el-Obeid offers significant strategic advantages. An RSF video on their official Telegram page underscored this focus by declaring the convergence of their forces in nearby Bara.
Local residents, caught in the crossfire, are increasingly fearful. Suleiman Babiker from Um Smeima shared how the increased presence of RSF vehicles has disrupted daily life and agricultural activities. “We stopped going to our farms, afraid of clashes,” he said, encapsulating the tension that now defines everyday existence in the region.
Echoes of Past Atrocities
Warnings from the U.N. echo the dire reality on the ground. Martha Pobee, assistant U.N. secretary-general for Africa, recently cautioned about potential large-scale atrocities reminiscent of Darfur’s darkest days. The RSF, with roots in the notorious Janjaweed militias, have been implicated in past and current genocidal acts, a grim legacy that shadows their current operations.
“The patterns we are seeing are hauntingly familiar,” Pobee said, referencing the reported mass killings, sexual violence, and abductions mainly targeting non-Arab communities. The recent violence in North Kordofan has already claimed the lives of 50 civilians, including humanitarian workers from the Red Crescent.
The International Response and Broader Implications
While the world watches, the silence from international powers remains deafening. Despite the U.S. officially recognizing acts by the RSF as genocidal under President Biden, effective global intervention has yet to materialize. Meanwhile, Sudan’s conflict continues to produce staggering humanitarian consequences—tens of thousands dead, nearly 12 million displaced, and a nation teetering under the weight of its crises.
Sudan’s situation mirrors complex global patterns of civil strife, where internal conflicts often spill over borders, creating regional instability and humanitarian emergencies. As the world’s largest displacement crisis unfolds, questions loom over the global community’s responsibility and capacity to respond. How long can the world afford to turn a blind eye?
The Human Toll
The civilians of Kordofan, much like those in Darfur and beyond, are paying the ultimate price in this power struggle. History has shown that the human cost of conflict extends beyond immediate casualties, leaving scars that persist for generations. The stories of those like Suleiman Babiker serve as poignant reminders of the courage and resilience required to live amid such uncertainties.
As we look ahead, the key question remains: will the international community step up to alleviate the suffering in Sudan? Or will the cries from Kordofan and beyond continue to echo unanswered across the globe?
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
