The United Nations has reported at least 80 deaths due to violence in southern Sudan, particularly in South Kordofan and Blue Nile. Conflicts involve the Sudanese army and the SPLM-N faction led by Abdel Aziz al-Hilu. The UN is concerned about the use of human shields and severe humanitarian challenges, as famine looms for half a million people in the region.
The United Nations has reported that violence in southern Sudan has led to a significant death toll of at least 80 individuals in recent conflicts within the states of South Kordofan and Blue Nile. Fighting erupted last week between the Sudanese army and a faction of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North, headed by Abdel Aziz al-Hilu, intensifying the humanitarian crisis in these regions.
Clementine Nkweta-Salami, the UN’s resident and humanitarian coordinator in Sudan, expressed grave concern over the fighting, particularly highlighting the alleged use of women and children as human shields and the obstruction of vital humanitarian aid in Kadugli, the capital of South Kordofan. The ongoing violence has resulted in dire humanitarian conditions, with millions lacking access to essential aid.
Since the onset of the war in April 2023, which has pitted the Sudanese army against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, the situation has escalated. The recent clashes demonstrate the deteriorating security and humanitarian circumstances, with both sides accusing one another of civilian attacks amidst territorial disputes. The UN warns that this violence is exacerbating an already precarious humanitarian crisis affecting many civilians.
The United Nations also highlighted the troubling rise in food insecurity in South Kordofan, where families are struggling with severely limited food supplies and increasing malnutrition rates. An estimated 500,000 individuals are on the verge of famine in the affected regions, underlining the urgent need for international aid. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification has already identified famine conditions in portions of the Nuba Mountains, a region under SPLM-N control.
The conflict in Sudan has roots in long-standing political and social tensions that have only intensified in recent years. Since April 2023, clashes between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces have led to widespread instability and humanitarian crises across the nation, resulting in significant casualties and displacement of millions. The United Nations has been monitoring the situation closely, reporting on the escalating violence that is exacerbating pre-existing vulnerabilities in southern Sudan, particularly in the states of South Kordofan and Blue Nile.
In conclusion, the recent violence in southern Sudan has led to a tragic loss of life and is creating an even more catastrophic humanitarian crisis. The situation remains critical, with widespread food insecurity and the urgent need for humanitarian assistance to alleviate the suffering of the affected populations. International efforts must be amplified to deliver support to those in dire need and to address the root causes of this conflict.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
