The International Organization for Migration (IOM), a UN agency, revealed on Wednesday that more than 3 million individuals have been forced to flee their homes in Sudan as a result of the ongoing conflict between rival armed factions.
The clash between the Sudanese army, commanded by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, led by his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, erupted approximately three months ago, following a power struggle between the two factions.
New data released by the UN agency indicates that over 2.4 million people are currently internally displaced within Sudan, while approximately 724,000 individuals have sought refuge across Sudan’s borders. Tragically, the violence has claimed the lives of around 3,000 people, as reported by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project.
Safa Msehli, the spokesperson for the IOM, emphasized the significance of these numbers, stating, “We have surpassed the 3 million figure of people displaced due to the conflict in Sudan. This is more than a figure; these are people who have been uprooted, fleeing for their lives; families that have been separated, and children who won’t be able to go to school.”
Msehli further stressed the urgent need for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Sudan, while appealing to the international community for sustained support in delivering aid and protection to those affected by the conflict.
Moreover, it is important to note that the number of individuals seeking refuge outside Sudan is likely to be even higher than the figures reported by the IOM. The cited number of arrivals in Egypt, approximately 256,000, is based on data provided by the Egyptian foreign ministry as of June 18. Thus, the actual number of refugees in neighboring countries may exceed the reported figures.
UK applies sanctions
Amid concerns of Sudan descending into a “full-scale civil war,” the United Kingdom has taken action by imposing sanctions on the warring factions.
In line with international pressure, the U.K. government announced sanctions on six companies connected to the military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). These sanctions, similar to those imposed by the United States last month, aim to pressure the conflicting parties to halt the fighting.
Among the sanctioned firms are Al Junaid, a profitable gold mining company owned by the family of Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, commander of the paramilitary force. Additionally, GSK Advance Ltd and Tradive General Trading L.L.C., suspected to be front companies under the control of the Dagalo family, have also been targeted with sanctions.