Ashley Tambke accounts for a devastating and often overlooked civil war in Sudan which has displaced millions of people
A series of airstrikes in Northern Darfur from the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have killed dozens of civilians, according to civilian groups. On October 6, the SAF launched airstrikes into North Darfur and Khartoum attacking areas held by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The SAF air force struck Koma and Melit, killing 45 people and wounding at least 200 more. Koma and Melit are located near the Darfur region’s capital, El Fasher, and have been caught in the middle of the SAF and RSF fighting over the region and city.
In 2019, Omar al-Bashir was deposed from his military rule of Sudan after months of anti-government protests. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan took charge of the Sudanese Armed Forces while Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo led the RSF paramilitary forces as Sudan prepared to draft a constitution. The RSF refused to join the SAF and instead attempted a coup, launching the country into civil war.
Sudan is now suffering from the world’s most devastating displacement crisis, with more than 10 million people displaced from the ongoing war; hundreds of thousands are in dire need of humanitarian aid. The United Nations has started two projects in hopes of helping refugees and those in need of aid. However, both goals have only met 5% and 7% of the $2.7 billion and $1.4 billion required respectively.
UN experts have warned that the Darfur region is on the brink of genocide. Both sides have been accused of war crimes, attacks on civilians, looting, and violence against civilians. However, according to Al Jazeera, the RSF has been the main perpetrators of war crimes against humanity, sexual violence and the looting of humanitarian aid. The RSF is allegedly being heavily funded by the United Arab Emirates.
In Ireland, a group of volunteers have formed the Ireland Sudan Solidarity Collective, a group whose goal is to bring awareness and change in Ireland to the ongoing conflict in Sudan. The group is running a campaign on social media and in person to lobby the Irish government to take a stance on the conflict. Speaking to The University Observer, Sylvia, an Ireland Sudan Solidarity Collective volunteer, stated, “The best thing to do is lobbying and emailing the government to actually do something for Sudan, boycotting UAE, and donating to emergency response rooms and kitchens.”