Darfur deaths top 300 in two days as Sudan war set to enter third year

United Nations: More than 300 civilians were killed during two days of intense fighting in Sudan’s Darfur region, the UN humanitarian agency reported on Monday, as the country’s civil war nears its two-year mark.

The attacks, launched on Friday and Saturday by Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), targeted two famine-hit camps for displaced people in North Darfur and its nearby capital. Initial reports stated more than 100 dead, including 20 children and nine aid workers, according to a UN official.

On Monday, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported a significantly higher death toll, citing unnamed local sources. The Associated Press said it could not independently verify the numbers due to ground conditions and communication challenges.

Aid workers among the dead

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said OCHA had received reports of mass casualties and large-scale displacement in and around the Zamzam and Abu Shorouk camps, as well as El Fasher, North Darfur’s capital and the only one in the region not under RSF control.

“Preliminary figures from local sources indicate that more than 300 civilians have been killed, including 10 humanitarian personnel from the NGO Relief International who lost their lives while operating one of the last functioning health centers in Zamzam camp,” Dujarric said.

Background and symbolic developments

Sudan descended into conflict on April 15, 2023, after tensions between the country’s military and paramilitary leaders erupted in the capital, Khartoum, and spread to regions including Darfur. Since then, at least 24,000 people have been reported killed by the United Nations, though activists claim the number is higher.

The RSF attacks followed a key military gain late last month, when the Sudanese military regained control over Khartoum, viewed as a symbolic victory in the war.

Displacement crisis escalates

The UN migration agency said RSF attacks in Zamzam camp have displaced between 60,000 to 80,000 families in the past two days. Most remain within El Fasher, which is under military control but has been besieged by the RSF for more than a year.

Mamadou Dian Balde, the UN refugee office’s regional director, told UN correspondents via video that “massive violations of human rights” have forced nearly 13 million Sudanese to flee their homes, including 4 million who fled to other countries. Over 200,000 went to Libya and around 70,000 to Uganda.

London conference and global appeal

The escalation precedes a Tuesday conference in London organised by Britain, the European Union, Germany, and France to spotlight the war’s anniversary. Over 20 foreign ministers and representatives from global organisations are expected to attend.

Dujarric said the UN hopes the event will encourage Sudan’s neighbours and the international community to unite for peace instead of fuelling the conflict.

The UN Security Council has also scheduled emergency closed consultations on Sudan for Tuesday.

Balde added that the UN refugee agency’s $1.8 billion appeal is only 10% funded and warned that without additional resources, people may start moving toward southern and eastern Africa, the Gulf countries, and Europe.

“We really hope that tomorrow’s event in London will also show greater support for the Sudanese brothers and sisters who have been displaced,” Balde said.

With AP inputs