USA urges a humanitarian truce as violence spreads to central Sudan, leaving civilians dead and tens of thousands displaced.
The United States has called for an immediate ceasefire in Sudan as fighting intensifies in the central Kordofan region, where violence has killed dozens of civilians and forced thousands from their homes.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the continued fighting was deeply alarming and urged all sides to agree to a humanitarian truce that would allow aid to reach millions affected by the conflict. He said the start of the new year offered a chance for both sides to halt the violence.
The conflict, now in its third year, is being fought between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Heavy fighting has recently shifted from Darfur to Kordofan, a strategic region linking several parts of the country.
At least 100 civilians have been killed in Kordofan since early December, while more than 50,000 people have been displaced. In the town of Dilling, shelling of residential areas over the past two days killed at least 16 people, including women and children, according to medical groups.
The United States has stepped up diplomatic efforts in recent weeks, engaging regional leaders in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Washington says the flow of weapons from outside Sudan continues to fuel the war and that external actors have influence over the warring parties.
The RSF has been accused by conflict monitors of receiving outside support, allegations that have been denied by some regional governments. The SAF also maintains close ties with several countries in the region, all of which are involved in mediation efforts.
Attention is now focused on El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan and a key transport hub. Aid agencies warn that more than 500,000 people could be affected if fighting spreads to the city.
The violence has also affected international peacekeepers. On December 13, six Bangladeshi peacekeepers were killed in a drone attack on their base in Kadugli. The UN Security Council condemned the attack, calling it deliberate and criminal.
The World Health Organization says attacks on health facilities in Sudan have caused more deaths this year than in any other conflict globally. Since April 2023, more than 200 attacks on medical centres have been recorded, killing over 1,800 people.
Both the RSF and SAF face accusations of war crimes. The RSF has also been accused of genocide in parts of Darfur. The African Union has rejected the formation of parallel governments and warned that those responsible for attacks on civilians will be held accountable.
Sudan’s war has killed more than 100,000 people and displaced about 14 million, making it the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, according to the United Nations.
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