The war in Sudan has been ongoing, causing devastating consequences for the country. Clashes between the Sudanese military led by Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces, commanded by Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, have resulted in significant damage to Sudan. The conflict initially started in Khartoum and quickly spread to other regions after mounting tensions between the two forces.
In response, combat training camps, including one in Port Sudan, have been established for women and girls. These camps aim to teach them essential skills, such as drills and the usage of weapons like AK-47 assault rifles. Some women attend the camps to show solidarity with family members who have been conscripted into the military, while others seek to learn how to protect themselves and their families.
The impact of the war is evident in the casualties. At a military hospital, a teenager received treatment for a spinal injury caused by a bullet passing through his shoulder. He shared that he joined the fight due to challenging living conditions and financial need. Another new recruit, a 20-year-old university student, was caring for him, highlighting the unexpected involvement of individuals in military matters.
Tragically, the conflict's toll has been devastating. The United Nations reports that at least 12,000 people have lost their lives, although local doctors suggest the actual number is even higher. The number of internally displaced people in Sudan is estimated to be more than 9 million, with 1.5 million refugees seeking shelter in neighboring countries. The situation has also led to starvation, prompting the U.N. food agency to express concern about deaths caused by lack of food.
Michael Dunford, Regional Director for Eastern Africa at the World Food Programme, describes the war in Sudan as the "biggest humanitarian crisis we have today." He emphasizes the urgent need for increased support from the international community.
The paramilitary forces commanded by Dagalo appear to have gained an advantage in recent months, advancing across Sudan's central belt to the east and north. Both sides have faced allegations of war crimes from human rights groups.
Efforts to mediate an end to the conflict have been undertaken by regional African partners, as well as Saudi Arabia and the United States. However, these attempts, which involved several rounds of indirect talks between the warring parties, have yet to yield successful results. The leaders, Burhan and Dagalo, have not met face-to-face since the conflict's initiation.