Armed Clashes in Sudan
On 15 April 2023, armed clashes between the Rapid Support Forces and the regular army in the Sudanese capital Khartoum were reported. Later, the fighting between the military forces spread to other Sudanese regions.

World Food Programme Warns Conflict in Sudan Could Lead to Worst Hunger in World

© AP PhotoPeople board a truck as they leave Khartoum, Sudan, on June 19, 2023.
People board a truck as they leave Khartoum, Sudan, on June 19, 2023.  - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 07.03.2024
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On the last day of February, the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan completed its withdrawal from the country amid ongoing hostilities that still causing tremendous harm to the population.
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warned on Wednesday that the ongoing nearly year-long conflict between Sudan's military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) poses a significant threat of causing the world's worst famine, adding that the crisis has severely disrupted the lives of millions of people in the country.

“The war in Sudan risks triggering the world’s largest hunger crisis,” warned WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain. “20 years ago, Darfur was the world’s largest hunger crisis and the world rallied to respond. But today, the people of Sudan have been forgotten. Millions of lives and the peace and stability of an entire region are at stake.”

Furthermore, WFP said that more than 25 million people in Sudan, South Sudan, and Chad are trapped in a cycle of worsening food insecurity. WFP is facing obstacles in delivering adequate emergency food aid to vulnerable areas in Sudan due to the ongoing violence and intervention from the conflicting parties. Currently, the majority of the severely hungry in Sudan - up to 90% - are in areas that are largely inaccessible to the organization.
Fighters ride in vehicles moving in a military convoy accompanying the governor of Sudan's Darfur State during a stopover in the eastern city of Gedaref while on the way to Port Sudan on August 30, 2023.  - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 05.03.2024
Armed Clashes in Sudan
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The WFP said earlier that approximately 18 million people in Sudan are suffering from acute hunger, including five million who are in a state of catastrophic hunger, the worst kind of emergency before famine.

Furthermore, McCain reported that the region will suffer serious long-term consequences from the rising levels of food insecurity and urged the warring parties to cease hostilities so that humanitarian organizations can deliver life-saving supplies.

In response to the humanitarian catastrophe spreading to nearby nations, the WFP also made a plea for increased funding.

Another UN body — the Security Council — is reportedly considering demanding an immediate halt to hostilities in anticipation of the start of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting, which begins on Sunday.

The 15-member council is currently engaged in negotiations over a resolution proposed by the UK, which may be put to a vote on Friday, the Western media reported, citing sources among diplomats.

"[The draft resolution] calls for all parties to ensure the removal of any obstructions and enable full, rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access, including cross-border and cross line, and comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law," the text reportedly read.

The document also reportedly calls upon all countries "to refrain from external interference which seeks to foment conflict and instability, and instead to support efforts for a durable peace."
To be adopted by the Security Council, a resolution must receive at least nine votes and not be vetoed by the US, Russia, UK, China, or France.
It's noteworthy that since the conflict began, the council has released only three press statements denouncing the violence and expressing concern.
In April 2023, violent clashes broke out between the Sudanese army and the RSF. The parties to the conflict have since introduced a number of temporary nationwide ceasefires, but none has helped settle the conflict. In late October, the parties resumed negotiations, mediated by Saudi Arabia in Jeddah, but hostilities in the country continue.
The UN recently revealed that nearly 14,000 people had been killed and about 27,700 injured in the conflict. The International Committee of the Red Cross warned earlier that continued hostilities could lead to disease epidemics and a catastrophic collapse of the health infrastructure.
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