Conflict Has Turned Parts of Sudan ‘Into a Hellscape,’ Security Council Hears
New York, NY – February 26, 2025 (12:00 EST) – The situation in Sudan has deteriorated to a catastrophic level, with parts of the country resembling a “hellscape” due to ongoing conflict, the United Nations Security Council heard in a briefing today. The stark assessment came from various humanitarian organizations and UN representatives, highlighting the devastating impact of the protracted fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that began in April 2023.
The briefing painted a grim picture of widespread violence, displacement, and a near-total collapse of essential services. Speakers detailed the horrifying consequences of the conflict, including:
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Extreme Violence and Human Rights Abuses: Reports of indiscriminate attacks on civilians, sexual violence, torture, and extrajudicial killings are rampant. Both the SAF and RSF have been accused of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity. Specific examples were cited from Darfur, Khartoum, and the Kordofan regions, underscoring the brutality of the conflict. Witnesses have recounted stories of homes being looted, hospitals targeted, and communities deliberately attacked along ethnic lines.
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Massive Displacement and Humanitarian Crisis: Millions have been forced to flee their homes, creating one of the largest displacement crises in the world. Internal displacement camps are overflowing, with inadequate shelter, sanitation, and healthcare. Neighboring countries like Chad, South Sudan, and Egypt are struggling to cope with the influx of refugees, further straining their resources and creating regional instability. The UNHCR estimates that over 10 million people are internally displaced and over 2 million have sought refuge in neighboring countries.
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Widespread Famine and Food Insecurity: The conflict has severely disrupted agricultural production and humanitarian aid delivery. Supply chains have been disrupted, markets have been looted, and farmers have been unable to plant or harvest crops. The World Food Programme (WFP) warns that millions of Sudanese are facing acute hunger, with some areas on the brink of famine. Children are particularly vulnerable, with rising rates of malnutrition and preventable diseases.
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Collapse of Essential Services: The healthcare system has been decimated, with many hospitals and clinics destroyed or forced to close due to attacks and shortages of medical supplies. Water and sanitation infrastructure has been damaged, increasing the risk of waterborne diseases. Education has also been severely disrupted, with schools closed and teachers displaced.
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Impunity and Lack of Accountability: A pervasive climate of impunity has fueled the violence. The Security Council heard concerns about the lack of progress in holding perpetrators of human rights abuses accountable. Civil society organizations and human rights groups are calling for a robust international investigation into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Calls for Action:
The Security Council briefing included urgent calls for action to address the crisis:
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Immediate Ceasefire: Speakers stressed the urgent need for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire between the SAF and RSF. They called on both parties to prioritize the safety and well-being of civilians.
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Unfettered Humanitarian Access: Humanitarian organizations must be granted safe and unimpeded access to all areas of the country to deliver life-saving assistance. Bureaucratic hurdles and security concerns must be overcome to ensure that aid reaches those in need.
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Increased Funding: The humanitarian response is severely underfunded. The UN and its partners are appealing for increased financial support from the international community to meet the growing needs of the Sudanese people.
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Political Solution: A sustainable solution to the conflict requires a political process that addresses the root causes of the crisis, including power-sharing, resource allocation, and security sector reform. International mediators must work to facilitate dialogue between the warring parties and other stakeholders.
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Accountability: Perpetrators of human rights abuses must be held accountable for their actions. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has already opened an investigation into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur.
Security Council Deliberations:
Following the briefing, the Security Council held closed-door consultations to discuss potential responses to the crisis. Options under consideration include:
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Strengthening the UN Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS): Extending and expanding the mandate of UNITAMS to provide greater protection for civilians and support humanitarian efforts. However, the effectiveness of UNITAMS has been limited by the ongoing conflict and the lack of cooperation from the warring parties.
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Imposing Targeted Sanctions: Imposing sanctions on individuals and entities responsible for fueling the conflict and undermining peace efforts.
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Referral to the International Criminal Court: Formally referring the situation in Sudan to the ICC, although this would require a Security Council resolution and could be vetoed by certain member states.
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Increasing Diplomatic Pressure: Exerting greater diplomatic pressure on the SAF and RSF to engage in meaningful negotiations and respect international law.
The situation in Sudan remains dire, and the international community faces a critical test in its ability to respond effectively to this complex and multifaceted crisis. The lives of millions of Sudanese people depend on it. The next steps taken by the Security Council will be crucial in determining whether the country can be pulled back from the brink of complete collapse and set on a path towards peace and stability.
This report will be updated as more information becomes available.
Conflict has turned parts of Sudan ‘into a hellscape,’ Security Council hears
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