The humanitarian situation in Sudan is dire, with escalating crime further exacerbating the crisis in the country. Mona Rishmawi, an independent member of the International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan, highlighted the growing challenges humanitarians face in their efforts to deliver aid to populations in distress. At a meeting in Geneva, she described an alarming reality where banditry and widespread insecurity make it nearly impossible to distribute aid and ensure the safety of civilians.
Massive population displacement and devastating violence, including the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war, are major scourges in Sudan. Rishmawi shared harrowing testimonies from survivors, strongly denouncing this shameful use of women’s bodies as a battlefield. Thousands of cases of sexual violence have been reported by health professionals, although stigma prevents many victims from coming forward.
Fear of violence has forced many civilians to flee their homes. “Fear of rape often pushes people to abandon their belongings and seek refuge elsewhere, whether inside or outside Sudan,” Rishmawi stressed.
Access to humanitarian aid is severely restricted, partly due to obstacles imposed by the authorities, such as the temporary closure of the Adre crossing on the Chad-Sudan border. The expert called for the reopening of this route to allow for appropriate assistance to displaced populations.
In addition to the dramatic impact on food security, the conflict has also undermined agricultural resources, with disastrous consequences for the livelihoods of local populations. “Farmers can no longer cultivate their land. They have abandoned their fields and no longer have access to seeds because water sources are disrupted,” she explained.
Concerns are growing over heightened ethnic tensions, particularly in Darfur, where the Rapid Support Forces have mobilized Arab tribes to target specific ethnic groups. Rishmawi stressed the imperative of national unity in Sudan, calling for a new framework to achieve peace. “What is needed is a new social contract, a new national dialogue, a new social agreement to enable people to live together in harmony, respect and dignity,” she concluded.
In sum, the situation in Sudan is critical and requires an urgent response from the international community to end the violence, ensure access to humanitarian assistance and foster lasting reconciliation among the country’s different ethnic groups.