Conflict Transforms Parts of Sudan into a “Hellscape,” Security Council Hears
United Nations, NY – February 26, 2025, 12:00 PM – The ongoing conflict in Sudan has transformed significant portions of the country into a “hellscape,” a grim assessment delivered to the United Nations Security Council today. The stark warning, echoed by multiple humanitarian organizations and UN officials, paints a devastating picture of widespread violence, displacement, starvation, and a near-total collapse of essential services.
The briefing before the Security Council, held behind closed doors, reportedly included harrowing accounts from on-the-ground observers, including representatives from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the World Food Programme (WFP), and Doctors Without Borders (MSF). While specific details of the closed-door session remain confidential, press statements released following the meeting paint a disturbing portrait of escalating suffering.
A Year of Devastation:
The conflict, now nearing its one-year anniversary, erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in April 2024. Initially concentrated in the capital Khartoum, the fighting quickly spread to other regions, including Darfur, Kordofan, and Gezira, exacerbating existing ethnic tensions and triggering new waves of displacement.
“The scale of devastation in Sudan is staggering,” stated UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in a pre-recorded message played during a concurrent press conference. “Millions have been forced from their homes, essential infrastructure has been destroyed, and the economy is in freefall. The consequences for the Sudanese people are catastrophic.”
Key Concerns Raised:
- Widespread Violence and Atrocities: The Security Council heard accounts of indiscriminate attacks on civilians, including reports of rape, torture, and extrajudicial killings. Targeted violence against ethnic groups, particularly in Darfur, continues to fuel displacement and exacerbate intercommunal tensions. Both the SAF and RSF have been accused of war crimes and human rights abuses.
- Unprecedented Humanitarian Crisis: The humanitarian situation is described as dire, with over 25 million people in need of assistance. Access to food, water, shelter, and healthcare is severely limited, particularly in conflict zones. The WFP has warned of impending famine in several regions, with children being particularly vulnerable to malnutrition.
- Collapse of Essential Services: The conflict has crippled Sudan’s healthcare system, with many hospitals and clinics destroyed or forced to close. Outbreaks of preventable diseases, such as measles and cholera, are spreading rapidly due to lack of sanitation and access to clean water. Education has also been severely disrupted, depriving millions of children of their right to learn.
- Obstacles to Humanitarian Access: Delivering aid to those in need remains a major challenge, with both the SAF and RSF restricting access to conflict-affected areas. Bureaucratic hurdles, security concerns, and infrastructure damage further hinder humanitarian operations. Aid workers themselves have been targeted, making it increasingly difficult to provide assistance.
- Regional Instability: The conflict in Sudan is destabilizing the entire region, with the flow of refugees putting strain on neighboring countries, including Chad, South Sudan, and Egypt. The proliferation of weapons and the involvement of foreign actors are further complicating the situation and raising concerns about the potential for a wider regional conflict.
Calls for Action:
The Security Council briefing concluded with urgent calls for an immediate ceasefire and a renewed commitment to political dialogue. The international community is urged to:
- Increase humanitarian aid: Funding for the Sudan humanitarian response plan remains woefully inadequate, and donors are urged to step up their contributions to meet the growing needs of the affected population.
- Ensure humanitarian access: All parties to the conflict must ensure safe and unimpeded access for humanitarian organizations to reach those in need.
- Investigate and prosecute war crimes: Accountability for human rights abuses is essential to break the cycle of impunity and prevent future atrocities.
- Reinvigorate the political process: A negotiated settlement is the only sustainable solution to the conflict. The international community must support efforts to bring the warring parties back to the negotiating table and facilitate a comprehensive and inclusive political transition.
- Strengthen regional stability: Efforts are needed to address the regional dimensions of the conflict, including preventing the flow of weapons, supporting refugee-hosting countries, and promoting dialogue and cooperation among regional actors.
The Future of Sudan:
The situation in Sudan remains precarious, with little prospect of an immediate end to the conflict. Unless decisive action is taken, the “hellscape” described to the Security Council risks becoming a permanent reality for millions of Sudanese people. The international community faces a critical test of its resolve to alleviate suffering, uphold human rights, and prevent a further descent into chaos. The lives of millions hang in the balance.
Conflict has turned parts of Sudan ‘into a hellscape,’ Security Council hears
The AI has provided us with the news.
I asked Google Gemini the following question.
Africa a new article on 2025-02-26 12:00 titled “Conflict has turned parts of Sudan ‘into a hellscape,’ Security Council hears”. Please write a detailed article on this news item, including any relevant information. Answers should be in English.
45