Sudan Emerges as Global Hub for Displacement, Hosting Over Four Million Forced Migrants
A Closer Look at the Sudanese Refugee Crisis
In a heartbreaking turn of events, the ongoing civil war in Sudan has pushed over four million souls to abandon their homes, making it one of the most devastating refugee crises globally. This staggering figure reveals the immense suffering and instability flooding Sudan since the conflict ignited in 2013.
Within the war-torn nation, millions of internally displaced people live in precarious conditions, often isolated from humanitarian assistance. Persistent insecurity and ongoing skirmishes hinder aid distribution, putting both humanitarian workers and the affected at risk.
Eujin Byun, the UN Refugee Agency's spokesperson, labeled the situation as "a horrifying milestone in what is the world's worst displacement crisis at the moment." This sentiment is echoed by the agency's spokesperson, Dossou Patrice Ahouansou, who warns that "if the conflict continues in Sudan, we anticipate thousands more to flee, putting regional and global stability in jeopardy."
Ahouansou also emphasizes the desperate circumstances under which Sudanese attempt to cross borders: "These civilians flee terrified, often under fire, navigating armed checkpoints and confronting extortion and stringent regulations imposed by armed factions."
Soaring Numbers and Pressure on Neighboring Countries
Voices from neighboring countries like Uganda, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, and the Democratic Republic of Congo cry out in solidarity. These nations bear the brunt of the massive influx of refugees, their camps teeming with individuals forced to flee. However, resources are scarce, making it nearly impossible for humanitarian organizations to meet the basic needs of these newcomers or those who have been displaced for years.
By 2023, an estimated 844,000 Sudanese refugees had crossed the border into Chad. A year later, the figure ballooned to over 1.2 million, putting strain on Chad's response capacity, as per a report by the organization. This surge follows violent attacks by armed groups in northern Darfur, causing over 68,556 refugees to reach the provinces of Wadi Fira and East Ennedi in Chad in just one month, with an average of 1,400 people crossing the border daily in recent days.
Human Rights Transgressions and the Arms Embargo
International human rights organizations decry that around 239,000 refugees are trapped at the border, exposed to harsh weather conditions, insecurity, and the risk of violence. Over 6,810 newly arrived refugees have shared "heart-wrenching tales of violence and loss" according to Ahouansou, with 72% reporting having experienced human rights violations such as physical and sexual violence, arbitrary detention, and forced recruitment. Furthermore, 60% claim to have been separated from their families.
In response to continuous pleas from the international community for a cessation of hostilities and a political resolution, and the refusal from the involved parties, the UN maintains the arms embargo on Sudan. International Amnesty views this decision as a crucial move to restrict the influx of weapons misused to violate international humanitarian law, according to the regional director for Eastern and Southern Africa, Tigere Chagutah. However, the organization has viewed unfavorably the request by some members of the UN Security Council and the African Union's Peace and Security Council to lift the embargo, particularly "at a time when the human rights situation in Sudan is deteriorating rapidly."
Two Years of Unrest
The conflict in Sudan rages for two years since 2023, when fighting ignited between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. The social revolution in 2019, which brought about the downfall of Omar Al Bashir, gave way to a coup d'état orchestrated by two loyal generals: the chief of the Army and the leader of the paramilitaries, who divided power, with the former as president and the latter as vice-president. However, their differences led to another conflict that is linked to the ongoing one.
The situation in Sudan is characterized by extreme and indiscriminate violence leading to the world's worst humanitarian crisis, a famine confirmed, epidemics, and millions displaced within or outside the country. Additionally, humanitarian funding is at a record low.
South Sudan, the world's youngest nation (independent in 2011), saw the promise of enduring peace vanish with the inception of a brutal civil war that divided the country along ethnic and political lines. As the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate, the prospect of a secure and dignified return for the millions of South Sudanese displaced hinges on the likelihood of genuine and lasting peace in their homeland.
- The ongoing crisis in Sudan, marked by war-and-conflicts, has led to an average of 1,400 Sudanese refugees crossing into Chad daily, reaching over 1.2 million by 2024, putting immense pressure on neighboring countries.
- The United Nations, in an attempt to curb the violence in Sudan and protect human rights, maintains an arms embargo, following the report of over 239,000 refugees being trapped at the border, exposed to harsh conditions and human rights violations.
- Besides the Sudanese refugee crisis, another devastating crisis unfolded in South Sudan, a nation Independent in 2011, where a brutal civil war, driven by ethnic and political conflicts, has led to displacement for millions and a deteriorating humanitarian situation, hindering the return of displaced people to a secure and dignified life.
