Conflict Has Turned Parts of Sudan ‘Into a Hellscape,’ Security Council Hears
New York, February 26, 2025 (12:00 PM ET) – The United Nations Security Council was presented with a harrowing assessment of the escalating conflict in Sudan today, with multiple aid organizations and UN officials describing conditions in the country as a “hellscape,” particularly in the Darfur region and the capital, Khartoum. The briefing painted a bleak picture of widespread violence, displacement, starvation, and human rights abuses, highlighting the urgent need for a ceasefire and increased humanitarian access.
The conflict, which began in April 2023, has pitted the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), loyal to General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti. What began as a power struggle between the two generals has spiraled into a brutal civil war, drawing in ethnic militias and exacerbating existing regional tensions.
“The situation in Sudan is rapidly deteriorating, and the scale of suffering is almost unimaginable,” stated Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, during the briefing. He described scenes of indiscriminate shelling, looting, and sexual violence, particularly targeting women and girls. “We are witnessing a complete breakdown of law and order in many areas. Aid workers are being deliberately targeted, making it increasingly difficult to deliver essential assistance to those in need.”
Specifically, reports from Darfur, where the conflict has ignited pre-existing ethnic tensions, were particularly grim. Several speakers pointed to a resurgence of violence reminiscent of the Darfur genocide of the early 2000s. Allegations of mass killings, systematic rape, and forced displacement are rampant, with little to no accountability for the perpetrators.
“The international community cannot afford to stand idly by while Darfur is once again consumed by unimaginable atrocities,” urged Alice Wairimu Nderitu, the UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide. She called for the Security Council to consider imposing targeted sanctions on individuals and entities implicated in the violence and to strengthen the mandate of the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) to include more robust human rights monitoring and protection.
The humanitarian crisis is deepening daily. Over 10 million people have been displaced, both internally and as refugees in neighboring countries such as Chad, South Sudan, and Egypt. Food insecurity is reaching catastrophic levels, with millions facing starvation. The healthcare system has collapsed in many areas, leaving people vulnerable to preventable diseases.
“We are facing a perfect storm of conflict, displacement, and hunger,” said Sara Beysolow Nyanti, the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan. “Our capacity to respond is severely stretched. We need immediate and substantial financial support from the international community to prevent a full-blown famine.”
The Security Council members expressed grave concern over the escalating violence and humanitarian crisis. However, divisions within the council have hampered efforts to take decisive action. Russia and China have historically been reluctant to impose sanctions on the Sudanese military, while Western powers have pushed for a stronger stance.
The briefing concluded with a call for renewed diplomatic efforts to achieve a ceasefire and a political solution to the conflict. Several speakers emphasized the need for regional actors, particularly the African Union and IGAD, to play a more active role in mediating between the warring parties.
Furthermore, the Security Council was urged to:
- Demand an immediate cessation of hostilities: All parties must commit to a ceasefire and engage in good-faith negotiations to resolve their differences peacefully.
- Ensure humanitarian access: Unhindered access must be granted to aid organizations to deliver essential assistance to all those in need, regardless of their location or ethnicity.
- Hold perpetrators accountable: Impunity for human rights abuses must end. The International Criminal Court (ICC) should continue its investigation into crimes committed in Sudan, and those responsible for atrocities must be brought to justice.
- Increase funding for humanitarian assistance: The international community must significantly increase its financial support for humanitarian operations in Sudan to address the urgent needs of the affected population.
- Strengthen UNITAMS mandate: The mandate of the UN mission should be strengthened to include more robust human rights monitoring and protection, as well as support for transitional justice mechanisms.
The fate of Sudan hangs in the balance. The Security Council’s response in the coming weeks will be critical in determining whether the country can be pulled back from the brink of complete collapse or whether it will continue to descend further into the “hellscape” described today. The lives and well-being of millions of Sudanese people depend on it.
Conflict has turned parts of Sudan ‘into a hellscape,’ Security Council hears
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