Summary
- UN says Sudan crisis has been “abandoned,” not forgotten
- War between army and RSF enters fourth year
- Over 33 million people need aid amid famine and violence
NAIROBI, Kenya- Sudan’s war has reached a grim turning point, with the United Nations warning that the country is facing the world’s worst humanitarian crisis—one that the global community has effectively abandoned.
Speaking from Khartoum, Denise Brown said the scale of suffering in Sudan is being met with alarming global inaction.
“People shouldn’t call this a forgotten crisis—it’s abandoned,” she said, expressing frustration over what she described as a lack of urgency from the international community.
Atrocities mount as war enters fourth year
The conflict between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which began in 2023, has devastated large parts of the country.
In regions such as Darfur, the UN has documented extreme violence, including:
- Widespread sexual violence
- Ethnic killings and mass atrocities
- Incidents with genocide-like patterns
One of the most shocking episodes saw around 6,000 people killed in just three days during fighting in El-Fasher.
Beyond violence, siege tactics have pushed communities toward famine, with humanitarian access severely restricted.
The crisis is now intensifying in the Kordofan region, where near-daily attacks are displacing thousands. In El-Obeid, aid agencies report increasing cases of children dying from hunger.
Foreign involvement blamed for prolonging conflict
According to the UN, the war is being sustained by a steady flow of weapons despite an arms embargo.
Different international actors are believed to be backing opposing sides:
- The army has been linked to support from Egypt and Saudi Arabia
- The RSF has faced accusations of ties to the United Arab Emirates, which denies involvement
Brown said the weapons fueling the war are not coming from within Sudan, suggesting external interests tied to resources and geopolitical influence.
Peace efforts stall as humanitarian needs surge
Attempts to broker peace have so far failed to gain momentum.
Diplomatic efforts led by a “Quad” group—including the United States, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE—have stalled, with no active negotiations currently underway.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation continues to worsen:
- Over 33 million people require aid
- Basic services such as healthcare and education have collapsed
- Millions remain displaced
Although international donors have pledged billions in aid, the UN says funding alone cannot resolve the crisis without a political solution.
The bigger picture: A test of global response
Sudan’s crisis has evolved into more than just a humanitarian emergency—it is a breakdown of an entire system, from governance to basic human rights.
For the UN, the key concern is not awareness, but the lack of action.
As the war drags on, the question remains whether the global community will step in decisively—or continue to look away.
