Sudan's Silent Suffering, One Year Into Generals' War

Certainly, I'd be happy to expand on the information provided about the ongoing crisis in Sudan, specifically focusing on the situation one year into the generals' war and its impact on millions of people.

The conflict in Sudan, which began in April 2023, is primarily between the Sudanese military led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti. The crisis was triggered by a power struggle between the two leaders, resulting in clashes that quickly escalated into a full-blown military confrontation.

According to the United Nations (UN), more than 8.5 million people have been forced to leave their homes due to the violence, making it one of the largest internal displacement crises in the world. The UN estimates that over 60% of these displaced people are women and children. Many have sought refuge in camps within Sudan, while others have crossed borders into neighboring countries such as Chad, Egypt, and Ethiopia.

The crisis has also led to a humanitarian catastrophe, with millions of people facing food insecurity and the risk of famine. According to the UN, over 16 million people in Sudan are currently food insecure, with over 13 million in need of urgent assistance. The conflict has disrupted agricultural production, destroyed markets, and forced people to abandon their farms, making it difficult for them to grow or buy food.

The fighting has also led to widespread destruction of infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, and water facilities. The UN reports that over 200 health facilities have been damaged or destroyed, making it difficult for people to access essential healthcare services.

The crisis has also led to a significant increase in violence against civilians, including rape, sexual violence, and other forms of gender-based violence. According to the UN, there have been reports of mass rapes and other forms of sexual violence against women and girls, with some estimates suggesting that over 1,000 cases have occurred since the conflict began.

The international community has expressed concern over the situation in Sudan and has called for an immediate end to the violence and for all parties to respect international humanitarian law. The African Union (AU) has deployed a peacekeeping mission to help facilitate a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The UN has also launched an appeal for $1.7 billion to help provide humanitarian assistance to those affected by the crisis.

Despite these efforts, however, the situation in Sudan remains volatile, with sporadic fighting continuing in some areas and the humanitarian situation continuing to deteriorate. The international community continues to call for a peaceful resolution to the conflict and for all parties to prioritize the protection of civilians and the provision of humanitarian assistance to those in need.