The Sudanese capital Khartoum is once again descending into violence despite an agreed ceasefire. According to media and eyewitness reports, heavy fighting broke out again on Monday between government troops and paramilitary units in Khartoum and the neighboring city of Omdurman. Airstrikes and shots were reported – including near the presidential palace. On Sunday, both sides had initially extended a ceasefire, which had expired in the evening, by 72 hours. However, a real cease-fire has not been observed by either side since the beginning of the conflict.
In the northeast African country with around 46 million inhabitants, the armed forces led by de facto President Abdel Fattah al-Burhan have been fighting the militias of his deputy Mohammed Hamdan Daglo, who heads the RSF, since April 15. The two generals once took over the leadership of Sudan through joint military coups. However, there was a rift between the two camps over issues of power distribution.
Humanitarian supplies urgently needed
Several aid organizations announced over the weekend that they would send humanitarian aid to Sudan. These are urgently needed. Since fighting broke out between the army and militias in the country, numerous warehouses with humanitarian aid supplies have been looted. Supplies were running out, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths said on Sunday. According to a UN spokesman, there are five World Health Organization (WHO) containers in the Port of Sudan. According to Griffiths, however, the helpers are waiting for the local authorities to release the charge. After the massive looting, most of the WHO’s supplies were depleted, Griffiths said.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) also flew around eight tons of medical supplies from Jordan to Port Sudan. Among other things, anesthetics, bandages and surgical material were delivered. Thousands of people with gunshot wounds could be treated with this, the ICRC said. Another machine with relief supplies should follow. Health workers in Sudan have “done the impossible: cared for the injured without water, electricity and basic medical supplies,” said ICRC Africa director Patrick Youssef.
UN: Provide emergency aid again as soon as possible
The UN World Food Program (WFP) also announced that it would resume its emergency aid programs as soon as possible. Shortly after the outbreak of violence in Sudan around two weeks ago, the WFP ceased its work after several employees were killed in the fighting. Food distribution is expected to begin in some Sudanese states in the coming days, WFP said in a statement on Monday. Even before the conflict, more than 15 million people in Sudan were severely food insecure. These numbers are expected to increase significantly as a result of the fighting.
According to the Sudanese Medical Committee, many hospitals are no longer functional as a result of the fighting. In addition, there is a lack of medicines, medical goods and blood supplies. According to the authorities, the fighting has already cost the lives of more than 500 people and injured almost 5,000. However, the actual number is likely to be significantly higher.
