What’s happening in Sudan’s civil war? | Start Here
Summary
TLDRThe crisis in Sudan, particularly in Darfur, is escalating with fears of genocide as fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) intensifies. The conflict, fueled by ethnic tensions and external support, has led to near-total state collapse, massive displacement, and a humanitarian disaster with millions at risk of starvation. International efforts to resolve the conflict have been inadequate, and the world's response to Sudan's plight has been largely abandoned, despite the potential for regional and continental instability.
Takeaways
- 😥 Sudan is facing a severe humanitarian crisis with a risk of genocide in Darfur, particularly in the city of El Fasher.
- 🏰 The civil war in Sudan, which began over a year ago, has led to near-total state collapse and widespread fighting across the country.
- 🚨 The capital, Khartoum, is barely functioning, and international aid is struggling to reach those in need due to the ongoing conflict.
- 🔄 The conflict has deep roots, with the 2021 military coup derailing Sudan's democratic transition and igniting a power struggle between General Burhan and General Hemetti.
- 🏺 Darfur is a critical region where the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by General Hemetti, are fighting against the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) for control.
- 🔪 There is an ethnic dimension to the conflict, with Arab militias aligned with the RSF targeting non-Arab groups, reminiscent of the 2000s when the Janjaweed militias committed atrocities.
- 🌍 International actors, including the UAE and Russia, are accused of fueling the war by supplying weapons to the warring parties, prolonging the conflict.
- 🌐 The crisis in Sudan has regional implications, potentially affecting the whole of Africa, but it is not a priority for the international community.
- 🆘 There is an urgent need for protection and humanitarian aid in El Fasher, where civilians are at risk of violence and starvation.
- 🤝 Diplomatic efforts to cease the fighting have been attempted, but the complexity of the conflict, involving multiple armed groups, makes finding a resolution challenging.
Q & A
苏丹达尔富尔地区的冲突是如何开始的?
-苏丹达尔富尔地区的冲突始于2003年,当时非阿拉伯社区的反叛团体如扎加瓦、马萨利特和富尔族因感到被阿拉伯主导的政府忽视而起义反抗奥马尔·巴希尔政府。巴希尔政府通过武装当地的阿拉伯民兵,即金贾韦德,来对抗叛军,导致了大规模的杀戮、强奸、焚烧和人口流离失所。这场暴力冲突导致了达尔富尔地区长达数十年的不稳定和人道主义危机。
苏丹首都喀土穆目前的情况如何?
-苏丹首都喀土穆目前几乎无法正常运作,由于苏丹武装部队和快速支援部队之间的冲突已经扩散到包括喀土穆在内的多个地区,造成了严重的政治不稳定、人道主义紧急情况和广泛的人权侵犯。
达尔富尔地区的种族暴力是如何加剧的?
-达尔富尔地区的种族暴力自2023年4月以来加剧,当时苏丹武装部队和快速支援部队之间的战斗蔓延到了该地区。快速支援部队,源自2000年代初期的金贾韦德民兵,已经开始针对马萨利特等非阿拉伯族群和其他社区进行攻击,这些攻击包括大规模杀戮、性暴力和系统性摧毁村庄。
苏丹的人道主义危机有多严重?
-苏丹正面临世界上最大的人道主义危机之一。据联合国估计,约有2500万人需要人道主义援助,其中超过1400万儿童。此外,有超过870万人因冲突而流离失所,他们在国内或邻国寻求庇护,使得苏丹成为世界上最大的流离失所危机。
国际社会对苏丹达尔富尔地区的冲突有何反应?
-国际社会对苏丹达尔富尔地区的冲突表示严重关切。联合国安全理事会通过了决议,要求苏丹的快速支援部队停止对北达尔富尔州首府埃尔法希尔的围攻,并允许人道主义援助进入。此外,联合国秘书长安东尼奥·古特雷斯呼吁立即停止敌对行动,并恢复政治对话作为解决冲突的唯一途径。
苏丹的饥饿危机有多严重?
-苏丹的饥饿危机非常严重,据联合国估计,约有1800万人面临饥饿,其中约500万人处于饥饿的边缘。苏丹正面临其历史上最严重的急性粮食不安全水平,包括在达尔富尔、南科尔多凡、青尼罗河州、阿贾兹拉州和喀土穆等地有超过755,000人处于灾难性的食物短缺状态。
达尔富尔地区的种族清洗是否构成种族灭绝?
-有报告指出,达尔富尔地区的暴力行为与2000年代初期的种族灭绝行为模式相似,苏丹律师穆塔西姆·阿里表示,快速支援部队对达尔富尔的非阿拉伯群体使用系统性的非人化方法,这与2000年代初期的种族灭绝行为模式相同。因此,一些人权组织和专家警告说,达尔富尔可能正面临另一场种族灭绝。
苏丹的医疗系统是否受到冲突的影响?
-是的,苏丹的医疗系统受到冲突的严重影响。世界卫生组织警告说,由于苏丹敌对双方之间的激烈战斗,使得进入北达尔富尔首府埃尔法希尔的通道“完全不可能”,导致800,000人被困在没有足够食物、水或医疗支持的地区。
苏丹的人道主义援助是否得到充分资助?
-苏丹的人道主义援助远未得到充分资助。世界卫生组织官员表示,苏丹的人道主义应急响应目前只有26%的资金到位,他将此紧急情况描述为“世界上最糟糕的情况之一”。
苏丹的洪水灾害情况如何?
-苏丹的洪水灾害严重,自雨季开始以来,大雨和洪水持续造成破坏,导致数十万人流离失所,基础设施受损,道路通行受阻,并增加了疾病爆发的风险。据苏丹洪水仪表板显示,自6月以来,已有超过442,600人受到影响,至少124,600人因洪水而流离失所。
Outlines
🔥 Sudan's Looming Genocide and Humanitarian Crisis
The paragraph discusses the escalating conflict in Sudan, particularly in Darfur, where the risk of genocide is imminent. The city of El Fasher is under siege with attacks primarily targeting civilian homes. The situation has been exacerbated by a civil war that erupted over a year ago, leading to near-total state collapse. The country is now facing the world's largest humanitarian crisis, with international attention and aid lacking. The paragraph also provides a historical context, highlighting the military coup in 2021 that derailed Sudan's democratic transition, leading to a power struggle between General Burhan and General Hemetti, who lead the Sudanese armed forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), respectively. The conflict has resulted in regionalized battles with various armed groups, including the RSF's control over most of the West and the capital, Khartoum.
🏹 Targeting Civilians: The Brutality in Darfur
This paragraph delves into the specifics of the conflict in Darfur, where the RSF is attempting to gain control over the region by targeting the city of Al Fasher. The RSF's tactics include cutting off essential resources like water, leading to a humanitarian crisis. The paragraph also discusses the ethnic dimension of the war, with Arab militias aligned with the RSF targeting non-Arab communities, reminiscent of the 2000s when the Sudanese government armed local Arab militias to fight against non-Arab rebel groups. The violence has resulted in significant displacement and loss of life, with the potential for genocide as evidenced by recent attacks and the historical pattern of violence in the region.
🌍 International Involvement and the Quest for Resolution
The final paragraph addresses the international community's role in the Sudan conflict. It highlights the involvement of external actors such as the UAE, which is accused of supplying weapons to the RSF, and Russia, which appears to be backing both sides. The paragraph also mentions diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict, including talks facilitated by Egypt and the UAE, and a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire and aid delivery. However, it underscores the complexity of finding a resolution due to the multitude of armed groups involved, especially in Darfur. The paragraph concludes with a call for increased global political will to address the crisis, noting the potential regional and continental implications of the ongoing war in Sudan.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Darfur
💡Genocide
💡Civil War
💡Ethnic Cleansing
💡Humanitarian Crisis
💡Rapid Support Forces (RSF)
💡Sudan Armed Forces (SAF)
💡El Fasher
💡Human Rights Abuses
💡International Criminal Court (ICC)
Highlights
The risk of genocide is being discussed in Darfur, Sudan, with ongoing fighting and attacks on civilians.
Civilians in El Fasher, Sudan, are in dire need of protection rather than press releases.
Sudan is experiencing a civil war that began over a year ago, leading to near-total state collapse.
The capital, Khartoum, is barely functioning, and Sudan is facing the world's largest humanitarian crisis.
The democratic transition in Sudan was derailed by a military coup in 2021, leading to the current conflict.
The conflict in Sudan is primarily between General Burhan's SAF and General Hemetti's RSF, vying for control.
Darfur, the size of Spain, is divided into five states, with RSF controlling four and fighting for the fifth.
Local armed groups in Al Fasher previously acted as a buffer but the latest truce collapsed in April.
RSF is attempting to strangulate Al Fasher, cutting off essential resources like water.
If RSF takes control of Al Fasher, it would have control over all five states of Darfur and three border points.
There are fears of ethnic cleansing if RSF, aligned with Arab militias, takes control of Al Fasher.
The conflict in Darfur has historical roots, with the 2003 uprising against the government leading to violence against non-Arab groups.
RSF, evolved from the Janjaweed militias, is accused of committing atrocities and possibly genocide.
Recent fighting in Al Fasher has seen the destruction of over 40 villages, primarily Zagawa communities.
Sudan is facing a massive hunger crisis, with nearly half the population not having enough to eat.
Aid is not reaching those who need it, with both RSF and SAF accused of blocking or stealing aid.
The UN is facing a significant funding shortfall for its aid operations in Sudan.
The conflict is being fueled by support from external countries, including the UAE and Russia.
Diplomatic efforts have been made to stop the fighting, including talks facilitated by Egypt and the UAE.
The global response to the crisis in Sudan has been inadequate, with the situation not being a priority for many.
Transcripts
let's talk about what's happening in
Sudan because people are talking about
the risk of genocide here in darur in
the city of elaser it's a very TI
situation there is fighting in all
directions most of the attacks are
happening on civilians facilities
particularly civilians homes we're past
warning for the people on the ground El
fasher they don't need press releases
they need
protection a civil war broke out in
Sudan just over a year ago and there's
fighting across large parts of the
country the capital Haron is barely
functioning what we're looking at only a
year on is near total State collapse
Sudan is the world's largest
humanitarian crisis the world has
abandoned Sudan so what's actually
happening in Dar for and what's being
done to stop the fighting
[Music]
first a quick reminder of the backstory
Sudan was ruled by one man Omar
al-Bashir for 30 years he was brought
down in 2019 in part because of pressure
from huge protests then there was a
short period when Sudan looked like it
was on a path to democracy and among a
lot of people there was a sense of hope
but that democratic transition got
derailed pretty quickly in 2021 there
was a military coup and then then last
year war broke out it started out as a
personal rivalry between these two
generals General brhan who leads Sudan's
National Army that's the Sudanese armed
forces or saf and general HTI who leads
a paramilitary group called the rapid
support forces or rsf and basically
you've ended up with saf and the rsf in
a bitter fight to control Sudan there
are many other armed groups in the mix
but saf basically controls part parts of
the east and north and the rsf has most
of the West and most of the capital
Harum Harum is obviously very symbolic
territory and so we will continue to see
BF and the rsf fight over that territory
even as they win and lose other
territories around the country Sudan as
we know it has died and it is now a
series of regional conflicts with
regional forces defending Regional
interests and that brings us to what's
happening in darur which is a huge
region roughly the size of Spain it's
divided into five states and the rsf
already has control of four of them now
the battle is on for the last one North
Dar for and its capital Al faser where
saf have a military base and are trying
to hold on to the city for most of last
year there were various trues in Al
faser where local armed groups agreed
not to take sides and acted like a
buffer between rsf and saf but the
latest truce appeared to collapse in
April and several groups along align
themselves with saf to fight against the
rsf and that puts Al faser very much
back in the crosshairs of rsf what rsf
is doing in Alasia right now is that
they are essentially trying to
strangulate the city they've even tried
cutting off water to the city that's how
brutal uh this is getting there's a
strategic um sort of logic of at the rsf
leadership level which is to take
alfashion and therefore have control
over all five states of Dar and all
three um border points with Libya with
Chad with the Central African Republic
if you don't control Al faser you don't
control darur and rsf knows that but if
the rsf take control of Al faser there
are huge fears about what it means for
the estimated 1.8 million people living
there especially because there's an
ethnic Dimension to this war where you
have very broadly Arab militias aligned
with the rsf targeting what are commonly
referred to as non-arab groups and to
understand that we have to go back to
the
2000s in 2003 there was an uprising in
darur against the government of Omar Al
Basher the rebel groups were mostly from
non-arab communities like the zagawa
masalit and fur who felt neglected by
the Arab dominated government Basher
responded by arming local Arab militias
known as the janid to fight against the
rebels they killed raped burned
massively displaced up to a a third of
the population of darur as a
whole violence is whing the bombing
murder and rape of innocent civilians
genocide there has already claimed
400,000 lives remains of the's dead
brought to the surface by strong Desert
Winds later the janja weed evolved and
rebranded as the rapid support forces
and in 2017 bashir's government made the
rsf an official paramilitary unit a kind
of second Army but the rsf kept their
strong links with darur and the Arab
militias there the rsf is a monster that
the Sudanese Army and the sudin regime
created and now it's it's it's turned on
the Sudanese State they have become
regularized they have uniforms but
effectively these are the same types of
people same groups of people with the
same political objectives z f has been
so emboldened and and so empowered to
com to commit such a atrocities for over
20 years it happened before and they got
away with it so what's happening in Dar
for now is basically an old conflict
that's being reignited there's mounting
evidence that the rsf and its allies are
using similar tactics as before these
pictures show rsf forces rounding up
people from the muslet ethnic group in a
place called ardata in west4 late last
year it's a suburb of the city of aljan
and a recent un report described how the
rsf have been targeting the melite
community and that between 10 and 15,000
people were killed in
eljan an independent investigation says
it's found clear evidence that massacres
against the mass Elite amount to
genocide in the last couple of months
the fighting has moved to Al faser a
team of researchers that yiel University
have been monitoring the area using
satellite imagery
we believe that they burned just in the
past two months well over 40 villages in
around Del faser primarily zagawa
communities and so the tempo of
destruction of intentional targeting of
communities by rsf and dar for has uh
sped up and that's why people are
increasingly worried about what could
happen if the rsf take over the whole of
Al faser it's a city where hundreds of
thousands of people fled to to escape
recent rsf attacks in other parts of
darur and the conflict back in the 2000s
Al fasid has become a sanctuary City and
this is what really um has inflated um
its population in in recent months if Al
faser Falls then there will be nothing
that prevents rapid support forces from
then identifying every single Community
left standing that they missed and it's
not just fear of more killings people in
Al faser are already starving right now
Sudan is facing one of the world's
biggest Hunger crises almost half the
population don't have enough to eat
around 5 million people are teetering on
the brink of starvation in one refugee
camp south of Al faser a child is dying
every 2 hours because of malnutrition
according to Doctors Without Borders
team are telling me in Dar War what they
see is that people are eating leaves
they eating soil they eating one meal a
day if they're lucky an aid is just not
getting to people who need it especially
in darur international Aid agencies are
struggling to get to these conflict
areas and both the rsf and saaf have
been accused of blocking or stealing Aid
as a war Tac
the reason why people are surviving is
because we have local volunteers
Sudanese who are on the ground on the
front line risking their lives uh to to
save their peers there's also a funding
problem the UN says it needs 2.7 billion
for its Aid operations in Sudan this
year and that it's only received 177% of
that now something else to keep in mind
is that this war is also being fueled
because the rsf and saf are getting
support from other countries the UAE is
accused of supplying weapons to the rsf
allegations that a panel of un experts
described as credible based on their own
investigations the UAE denies supplying
weapons calling the accusations
propaganda and says it's transporting
Aid to sedan and then you've got Russia
which appears to be backing both sides a
mercenary group linked to the Russian
government is said to be supplying the
rsf with weapons while Russia is also
supporting saf as a way it seems to
secure access to Sudan's Red Sea Coast
where saf is in control saf also has
Egypt on its side General ban has made
visits to Cairo there are also reports
that saf has been using Iranian drones
if supplies to these two sides slow down
um I think we would see this war start
to die down uh quite a bit as well so so
outside powers and backers of these two
sides are clearly helping prolong the
war at the same time there have been
some diplomatic efforts to try to stop
the fighting for example Egypt and the
UAE reportedly brought the two sides
together for talks in bahin earlier this
year and the UN Security Council has
adopted a resolution calling for the rsf
to stop its attack on Al faser for both
sides to agree to a ceasefire and to
allow Aid in we've actually seen more of
a aligning of Interest among the outside
actors to actually want to get some end
to this war basically no one really
seems seems to benefit from Sudan
collapsing but the problem is is that
the two Waring sides uh want to keep
fighting and remember it's not really
just two sides because of all the other
groups involved especially in darur and
that makes finding any kind of
resolution even harder whether there's
enough Global political will to even
push for that is a whole other question
the spill over from the Sudan war is
tremendous it it affects the whole
region it could easily ffect the whole
continent of Africa and nothing is being
done we are consistently raising the
issue of Sudan to top diplomats around
the world and many times they make clear
to us it's just not high on their agenda
now that we might see a million Sudanese
starve to death I expect we'll see some
uptick in efforts to uh try to save the
Sudanese people I hope it's not all too
little too late but obviously most of it
is too little too late and everyone was
warned
our show start here is all about
explaining the news check out our recent
explainer about apartheid and here's our
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[Music]
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