A collapse of a ceasefire between the Sudanese government and rebel forces has resulted in an ongoing conflict and a devastating humanitarian crisis, with thousands of lives lost and millions of people affected. On May 30th, a five-day armistice was brokered between Saudi Arabia and the US in Jeddah to bring lasting peace and provide humanitarian aid to Sudan. However, the ceasefire was set to expire on June 3rd with no signs of de-escalation, causing clashes in Khartoum and a new surge of violence in Darfur, resulting in casualties, displacement of citizens, and disruption of essential services. Foreign mediators are appealing for parties to agree and apply a new ceasefire to achieve a permanent end to the fighting.

In a press release on Friday 2nd of June, the United Nations Security Council expressed their “strong worry” about the ongoing conflicts, condemning all assaults on non-combatants and requesting “speedy, secure and unimpeded humanitarian access throughout Sudan”. They underlined the requirement for a prompt cessation of hostilities. They reaffirmed their support for the United Nations transition mission in Sudan, UNITAMS, to carry on its work, regardless of the breakdown of the political momentum towards the transition to civilian rule, which seemed so plausible just a few months ago.

UN Special Representative for Sudan, Volker Perthes, warned the Security Council of the dire consequences of the insecurity in the region. The breakdown of law and order adversely affects civilians, infrastructure, and aid delivery. He noted the high levels of fatalities, injuries, and missing persons, as well as the vulnerability of children to recruitment, sexual violence, and abduction. He proposed a week-long ceasefire to facilitate aid delivery.

Laetitia Bader and representatives from the UN visited Juba to highlight the dire conditions of refugees and survivors of sexual violence in Khartoum. They called on all parties to abide by international humanitarian law, to take steps to prohibit sexual violence, and to hold those responsible accountable.

Aid organisations have warned of a looming humanitarian crisis in the region. Secretary of State John J. Sullivan and humanitarian organisations expressed concern for a prolonged conflict and humanitarian disaster in Sudan due to the continuing violence and hampering of aid delivery. The UN Under-Secretary-General praised initiatives by Saudi Arabia and the US and called for additional financing for the Humanitarian Response Plan. He also stressed the need for a civilian-led transition for long-term peace in Sudan.

The United Nations provides humanitarian aid to those affected by the conflict in Sudan. The World Food Programme, UNICEF, UNFPA, and World Health Organisation provide food, nutrition, clean water, healthcare, and hygiene support to over 500,000 and 24.7 million people, respectively. Plans are in place to assess the needs of 500,000 people and to aid more than 9,000 people fleeing to Egypt. However, the fighting has caused many hospitals to be out of service and those still operational lack essential supplies.

The UNHCR calls for $214.1 million in aid for Sudanese refugees, of which $72.4 million is for emergency response. The UNHCR is also calling for the refugees to be relocated to nearby camps before the rainy season arrives and for resources to be provided.

In April, two of Sudan’s most powerful generals began fighting for power, resulting in a conflict involving the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This conflict has caused massive destruction and the death of hundreds of civilians and displaced over a million people, both internally and abroad. This has created a humanitarian disaster, with 88,000 people fleeing into South Sudan. Reports of air raids, looting, medical service disruption, electricity and water outages, and diminishing food supplies have been reported.

The US has imposed sanctions on four Sudanese companies and threatened to impose sanctions against the warring factions in Sudan if the conflict continues. Additionally, visa restrictions will be applied to those responsible for the violence. To protect civilians, the UN should extend the current arms embargo in the Darfur region to the whole of Sudan. African nations must support this move. To create peace in Sudan, the international community must take a leading role in mediating the conflict and ensure that a ceasefire adheres to allow economic and humanitarian aid to those in need.