By Sr. Christine Masivo, CPS
The Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime has released a new report showing that there is growing weapon trade fueling the war between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Released on Oct 20, the report details illicit smugglers and criminal brokers reviving old trafficking routes through Darfur, Eastern Chad, and southern Libya.
Humanitarian crisis deepens
Sudan’s situation continues to deteriorate faster, according to the United Nations.
The UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian affairs (OCHA)has confirmed that 25 million people, or half of Sudan’s population, are facing acute hunger or famine.
In September, the UN recorded the worst scenarios for the past three years since the conflict began in April 2023.
The most heavily affected areas are Darfur and Kordofan, where infrastructure has been destroyed and left dilapidated with no essential services such as healthcare, food, and water.
The city of El Fasher in North Darfur is under siege by the RSF forces, which allegedly targets densely populated camps for internally displaced people with indiscriminate attacks.
“Civilians are subjected to viciousness including sexual violence, forced recruitment and arbitrary detention,” said the UN report. “The UN compound in El Fasher was attacked on September 20, losing vehicles, supplies and equipment.”
A divided nation
Battles have flared further in South in Kordofan near El Obeid, a key transport hub linking Khartoum and Darfur, making philanthropic aid impossible in many years.
The towns of Dilling and Kadugli have been besieged for over a year with abductions, detention, and intimidation of aid workers.
Floods have washed out critical supply routes, particularly the Nyala-East in Darfur, and several local roads, leading to outbreaks of cholera, dengue, and malaria.
These diseases have greatly affected communities struggling to survive, including in Khartoum where residents have been cut off from the basic utilities like electricity and water systems for days.
According to the United Nations report, “despite the numerous challenges, our humanitarian colleagues continue to provide vital assistance to displaced people in areas that we and our partners are able to safely access.” – Vatican News
