Civilians Suffering Horrendous Violence In Sudan War, Says MSF

Medecins Sans Frontieres also known as (Doctors Without Borders – MSF) said on Monday that civilians in Sudan have suffered horrendous levels of violence more than a year of war between the army and a rival paramilitary force.

The conflict in Sudan has faced repeated attacks, abuse and exploitation by both sides.

According to the aid group, the physical and mental wounds of violence have been exacerbated by the collapse of the health system and the lack of an international humanitarian response.

Its teams had treated thousands of war wounded in areas affected by the bombing, shelling of residential homes and essential infrastructure, it said.

Across Sudan, people’s access to lifesaving care has been drastically affected due to shortages, widespread obstruction and looting of medical supplies, insecurity and attacks against patients and medical staff, as well as damage to healthcare infrastructure, it said.

It accused the warring parties – the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) – of “blatant disregard” for human life and international law. Neither side could immediately be reached for comment.

The war erupted in April 2023, triggered by a plan to integrate the army and paramilitary forces in a transition to free elections following the overthrow of long-ruling autocrat Omar al-Bashir in 2019.

Mediation efforts have failed to bring a halt to the hostilities. There is no accurate data on how many have been killed, but death toll estimates run into the tens of thousands.

MSF said that in camps and gathering sites where refugees and displaced people have sought safety, patients have recounted horrific stories of inhuman treatment and violence perpetrated by armed groups on civilians.

It called on the warring parties to cease attacks on residential areas and allow safe passage and protect infrastructure from further destruction and looting.

It also urged them to stop what it said were targeted forms of violence and abuse, including ethnic and sexual violence.