…as UN warns of escalating violence in Darfur and Kordofan

Sudan is grappling with a worsening humanitarian and health crisis as a deadly cholera outbreak combines with ongoing conflict to threaten civilians across the country.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has reported that Sudan has recorded 71,373 cholera cases and 1,996 deaths this year — the highest mortality figures among cholera-affected countries in Africa.

Yap Boum, Deputy Director of Incidents at Africa CDC, attributed the outbreak to disrupted water systems, mass displacement, and limited access to affected communities. “All eighteen states in Sudan are impacted, with current hotspots including Khartoum and Darfur,” he said.

The country’s mortality rate from cholera now stands at 2.7%, above the continental average of 2.3%, reflecting the immense pressure on Sudan’s healthcare system amid the dual burden of war and disease.

UN Appeals for Humanitarian Truce

The deteriorating conditions prompted the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Sudan, Ramtane Lamamra, to highlight the importance of a proposed humanitarian truce. “The truce offers a rare opportunity to halt fighting, protect civilians, and provide relief to the Sudanese people,” Lamamra said, urging all parties to seize the opportunity to de-escalate the conflict.

In parts of Darfur, aid convoys have begun reaching El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, offering hope to civilians. Video footage from the city shows aid trucks being welcomed by residents, while markets and streets gradually return to activity. However, humanitarian operations remain constrained by bureaucratic delays and security concerns, complicating the delivery of essential aid.

Rising Tensions in Kordofan

Amid these efforts, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, warned of escalating violence in Kordofan. “Field developments indicate preparations for renewed hostilities, with potentially devastating consequences for civilians,” Türk said, calling for an immediate cessation of violence in both Darfur and Kordofan.

Despite the Tasis Alliance Forces’ agreement to participate in the proposed truce, Port Sudan army leaders have signaled their intent to continue military operations, raising concerns that fighting will persist. Recent airstrikes in West and North Kordofan, including drone attacks on markets and residential areas, have resulted in civilian casualties, according to local monitoring groups and eyewitness reports.

Human rights organizations, including the Sudanese National Human Rights Observatory and Human Rights Watch, have documented repeated attacks on civilian areas throughout Darfur and Kordofan, highlighting the risks of indiscriminate violence in the ongoing conflict.

Outlook

As cholera spreads and conflict escalates, humanitarian agencies face mounting challenges in reaching vulnerable populations. The international community continues to call for urgent measures to protect civilians, provide essential aid, and prevent further deterioration of health and security conditions in Sudan.