Starvation as a Weapon: The Catastrophic Fallout of Sudan’s Conflict
Independent U.N. specialists have denounced the ongoing conflict in Sudan, accusing warring factions of weaponizing hunger. A dire report from a non-governmental organization warns that famine could claim the lives of up to three million individuals in this devastated African nation.
Sudan descended into turmoil in April 2023 when the tensions between the national military and the notorious Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted into violent confrontations in Khartoum and beyond. What began as simmering discord escalated into chaos.
According to U.N. statistics, this conflict has claimed over 14,000 lives and left 33,000 injured within just fourteen months. Yet, human rights activists insist the actual casualty figures may be much graver.
Substantial allegations of widespread sexual violence and heinous acts have emerged, which rights organizations claim constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity. This unrest has resulted in the world’s largest displacement crisis, forcing over 11 million people to abandon their homes.
The U.N. specialists stated, “Both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and RSF are employing hunger as a tactic against civilians. The levels of starvation and displacement we’re witnessing are unprecedented.” They emphasized the gravity of the crisis.
Despite efforts to reach out, neither the military nor the RSF returned requests for comments.
The experts caution that famine looms over the nation, as humanitarian aid has been severely obstructed and agricultural activities disrupted due to the conflict. More than 25 million civilians within Sudan and the diaspora are facing acute food shortages and critical humanitarian needs.
A recent analysis by the Clingendael Institute indicated that by the end of September, around 2.5 million individuals could perish from starvation, particularly in the severely impacted regions of Darfur and Kordofan, where nearly 15% of the population is most vulnerable.
Addressing Sudan’s hunger crisis proves challenging, with the experts noting rising violence and targeted attacks on civil society organizations. In recent weeks, many activists and local volunteers have faced arrest, threats, and prosecution.
“The blatant targeting of humanitarian workers jeopardizes aid efforts, putting millions at a greater risk of hunger. Local responders are literally risking their lives and health,” they noted, highlighting the bravery of those attempting to assist amidst the chaos.
They urged both factions to “refrain from obstructing, looting, and misusing humanitarian aid.”
These specialists belong to the Special Procedures, the United Nations’ largest body of independent human rights experts.
In recent months, hostilities have intensified around el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, entrapping countless civilians. The U.N. reports that at least 143,000 individuals have been forcibly displaced from el-Fasher within three months.
Earlier this month, the U.N. Security Council called on the RSF to lift its siege of this crucial city, the military’s last stronghold in the expansive Darfur region.
Concerning famine, the International Rescue Committee recently warned that three million people in Sudan are at risk amidst the ongoing strife between the military and the paramilitary RSF.
“Approximately half of Sudan’s populace is grappling with some form of humanitarian crisis,” asserted Country Director Eatizaz Yousif during a statement to National Public Radio.
“Three million people are teetering on the edge of famine,” she cautioned, pointing out significant underreporting of deaths due to a failing healthcare system.
Yousif observed, “We lack significant influence; our geographical significance pales in comparison to crises like those in Palestine, Syria, or Ukraine. The Sudan situation predates these, yet it seldom attracts media scrutiny.”
She stressed her reluctance to engage in comparison, adding, “However, Sudan ought to be a focal point for diplomatic initiatives and urgent attention.”
The hostilities in Sudan commenced in April 2023, ignited by a power struggle between General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan of the army and RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. This feud stemmed from disagreements surrounding the incorporation of the RSF into the national military framework.
The toll has been catastrophic, with close to 16,000 confirmed dead, millions displaced, and an overwhelming humanitarian crisis deepening across the nation, as reported by U.N. figures.
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