“In a disheartening recurrence, West Darfur’s capital, Geneina, became engulfed in another outbreak of violence over the weekend, merely hours after signing the Jeddah agreement. One that would have a temporary cease-fire for aid to flow to citizens. The situation within the city has swiftly deteriorated, resulting in the loss of life for at least 280 individuals, with countless others left injured, as reported by the Sudan doctors’ syndicate.
“The abhorrent levels of brutality unfolding in West Darfur are beyond humane comprehension,” expressed William Carter, the country director for the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) in Sudan. “Scarcely had the two opposing factions inked the Jeddah Agreement on Thursday night when pandemonium erupted anew in Geneina. Regrettably, one of our team members sustained injuries, and each passing day brings the grievous news of families mourning the untimely demise of their loved ones, victims of this senseless conflict.”
Today signifies a month since the eruption of hostilities in Sudan, yet despite repeated declarations of ceasefires and the recent Jeddah Declaration of Commitment to Safeguard Sudanese Civilians, the widespread devastation and loss of civilian lives persist.
Within Geneina, an estimated 100,000 internally displaced individuals are at the mercy of ceaseless violence, witnessing their settlements reduced to ashes once more. Trapped civilians have endured three consecutive days of unrelenting bombardment, leading to the utter destruction of their homes. This recent upsurge in violence follows a significant clash in April, where nearly 200 lives were tragically lost. The residents of Geneina have remained stranded within the confines of the city for weeks, unable to escape and cut off from crucial healthcare and necessities. Moreover, frequent power outages and network disruptions have plagued the city, severely impeding communication and further exacerbating the dire circumstances.
Across Sudan, the conflict has forcibly displaced nearly 1 million people from their homes since the 15th of April, with approximately 200,000 individuals seeking refuge in neighbouring nations.
“We continue to face immense obstacles in delivering urgent aid to Khartoum and Geneina, where the majority of our colleagues have been displaced,” declared Carter. “The suspension of the banking system and the absence of visa issuance into the country further impede large-scale humanitarian relief efforts. Let there be no doubt: the conflict in Sudan shows no signs of relenting – it is of utmost importance that the international community intensify their endeavors to hold the warring parties accountable for safeguarding the civilian population.”
The situation in Geneina and throughout Sudan remains profoundly unsettling. The escalation of violence, particularly in a city already ravaged by prior conflicts, underscores the pressing need for immediate measures to protect civilians and provide essential humanitarian assistance. The international community must collaborate to ensure that the warring factions are answerable for their deeds and that enduring peace and stability are reinstated in Sudan. It is imperative that emergency aid reaches those in dire need and that concerted efforts are made to facilitate access for humanitarian organizations in delivering vital assistance.
As the violence continues to claim the lives of innocent individuals and displace thousands, it is incumbent upon the global community not to turn a blind eye to the anguish endured in Sudan. The people of Geneina and Sudan as a whole deserve tranquillity, security, and the opportunity to reconstruct their shattered lives. The international community must redouble its efforts to end the conflict and provide the requisite support to alleviate the immense human suffering experienced in Sudan. Only through coordinated action and an unwavering commitment to lasting peace can the vicious cycle of violence be shattered, thus rekindling hope for a brighter future for the people of Sudan.”
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