UN Expresses Grave Concern Over Rising Violence in Sudan

As violent incidents increase in Sudan, clashes in Eastern and South Darfur have resulted in at least 13 deaths and displaced over 400 people. Ongoing conflicts in North and South Kordofan, Blue Nile, and North Darfur over the past week have displaced thousands, according to United Nations agencies. In North Darfur, the rise in bread prices has exacerbated the food crisis, with the World Food Programme reporting a 13 percent increase in the cost of a basic food basket. On September 23, the United Nations expressed deep concern over the accelerating displacement of civilians and the worsening food insecurity in Sudan.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that various clashes in Eastern and South Darfur have led to at least 13 fatalities. The violence has disrupted local markets and forced many residents to flee their homes. Bread prices in North Darfur have risen sharply. Citing local sources, OCHA noted that a clash on Saturday at the Al Borsa market in El Daein, Eastern Darfur, caused humanitarian harm and led to the partial closure of the market. On the same day, community clashes at Abuja market in Gereida, South Darfur, resulted in 13 deaths and displaced more than 400 individuals.

Additional humanitarian impacts from clashes have been reported in Nyala, South Darfur. The continuing conflicts in North and South Kordofan, Blue Nile, and North Darfur have newly displaced thousands of people in just the past week, humanitarian partners have stated. Meanwhile, two warehouses in the Shikan area of North Kordofan were struck by drone attacks on Sunday. According to UNICEF, these attacks destroyed educational materials that had been prepared for distribution to students as schools reopened. UNICEF partners also reported a series of drone strikes continuing from Sunday through Monday in the city of El Obeid.

OCHA has highlighted the worsening food insecurity in Sudan. In the Tawila area of North Darfur, local markets reportedly went four consecutive days without bread availability. The sharp increase in bread prices and related tensions have caused several bakeries to close since Friday. The World Food Programme noted that the cost of a local food basket increased by 13 percent compared to last month. Prices for essential food and other materials are experiencing significant fluctuations nationwide. OCHA urged all parties engaged in the conflict in Sudan to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure and to respect international humanitarian laws. They also called on all parties to ensure that humanitarian assistance can reach people in need safely, swiftly, and without obstruction.