Attachments
IOM calls on all parties to ensure the safety of humanitarians and allow their unrestricted access to be able to assist those most vulnerable. IOM’s Revised Response Overview for the Sudan Crisis and Neighbouring Countries contributes to addressing the humanitarian needs inside Sudan and the complexities of a mixed movements response that is inclusive of the needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs), migrant returnees, third country nationals (TCNs), host communities, refugees and Government entities responding to the crisis. IOM’s planned response was coordinated with Governments and humanitarian partners.
SITUATION OVERVIEW
The leader of Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), Lt. General Abdel Fattah al-burhan, continuing his regional tour, met with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, during which the Emir reportedly reiterated calls for dialogue and peaceful ways to end the conflict. In his fourth regional visit, L.t. General AL burhan met with Eritrean President, Isaias Afwerki, in an effort to strengthen ties between the two nations. Unconfirmed reports also point to a second meeting between Lt. General Al burhan and the leader of the Sudanese People’s Liberation movement - North/Al Hilu (SPLm-N/AH) in Asmara, Eritrea. In a recent audio recording, Rapid Support Forces (RSF) Commander, Lt. General mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, “Hemedti,” stated that the intent of RSF is to liberate Sudan and that since the conflict broke out, RSF has tripled in size. On 6 September, Lt. General Al burhan issued a decree dissolving the 2017 law that established the paramilitary forces RSF, along with associated 2019 amendments. In the meantime, the ministry of Foreign Affairs thanked the Red Sea State government for granting the land for the construction of the new ministry of Foreign Affairs in Port Sudan. On 9 September, the Central bank of Sudan announced the restoration of all electronic banking systems.
Following last week’s meeting between the African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson, Moussa Faki, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) Political Advisor, Youssif Izzat, the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement denouncing the meeting. In response, the AU spokesperson released a statement reiterating the AU’s efforts to resolve the current crisis through the interaction with all parties, regardless of their affiliation, to encourage them to end the war and engage in a political process. Not deviating from the same holding line as the first statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a second statement in response continuing to condemn the actions from the AU.
The Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ rejection of AU and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) peace efforts were also voiced after the second IGAD Quarter Meeting held in Nairobi, Kenya, organized to take stock of the implementation of the IGAD Roadmap for peace in Sudan. On 6 September, the IGAD released a communiqué condemning the ongoing war in Sudan, calling on parties to cease hostilities and, whilst noting the invitation to participate in the Jeddah process, it advocated for the consolidation of all peace initiatives under one framework to comprehensively addresses the conflict, humanitarian access and long-term political dialogue to deliver comprehensive and lasting peace. In a similar line, the Arab League Council of Foreign Ministers emphasized the need to preserve Sudan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and rejected external interferences in Sudan’s affairs. On 8 September, the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement renewing its rejection of Kenya’s chairmanship of the IGAD Quartet as biased, threatened to reconsider its membership in the IGAD and criticized the communiqué for failing to condemn the alleged violations committed by the RSF. On 9 September, during a visit to Damazine, Blue Nile, Lt. General Al Burhan reportedly also rejected the AU’s interference in Sudanese affairs as it seeks to mediate a peace agreement with a vision to return to pre-conflict terms and called on the AU to correct its position.
On 6 September, United States (US) Treasure Department sanctioned Abdelrahim Hamdan Dagalo for his leadership of the RSF, and as a commitment to hold accountable those responsible for serious and extensive human rights abuses. The US Department of State imposed visa restrictions on another RSF General and West Darfur Sector Commander, Abdul Rahman Juma, for his alleged involvement in the gross violation of human rights.
Clashes continued across various districts of Khartoum, in what are deemed to be strategic locations, including Al Shajara Armoured Corps, with RSF and SAF claiming respective victories over one another. At least 32 casualties were reported in Ombada, Omdurman, whilst the Emergency Room of Janoub Al-Hizam reported at least 40 casualties in the neighbourhood of Mayo in South Khartoum. An additional 13 casualties were reported in East Khartoum whilst other reports speak of a deadly drone attack south of the capital. In Nyala, South Darfur, similar to previous weeks, fighting between SAF And RSF continued with attacks reported in residential areas. In parallel, inter-communal clashes between the Beni Halba and Salamat tribes were also reported in Markonda, 130 kilometers west of Nyala. In El Fasher, North Darfur, fighting between the RSF and SAF resumed – it is reported that fighting resumed as a result of an RSF incursion on the Abu Shouk IDP camp market protected by the Armed Struggle Movement (ASM). In relation to this, Governor of Darfur, Minni Minawi, expressed concern over the threat of RSF attacks on ASM joint forces from Kosti to Darfur disrupting the protection of humanitarian aid convoys. In West Darfur, inter-communal clashes were reported in Sirba causing the displacement of approximately 3,100 households. In El Obeid, North Kordofan, intermittent fighting between RSF and SAF was also reported. In the proximity of Kadugli, South Kordofan, clashes continued between SPLM-N/AH. Clashes between SAF and SPLM-N/AH were also reported in Abu Kershola locality, South Kordofan.
DTM Sudan estimates that 4,118,119 individuals (822,894 households) have been recently internally displaced. The IDP caseload has been observed in 3,855 locations across all of Sudan’s 18 states. The highest proportions of IDPs have been observed in River Nile (12.24%), South Darfur (11.74%), East Darfur (11.50%), Northern (8.87%), Sennar (7.79%), and North Darfur (7.05%). Field teams report that the IDPs observed were originally displaced from eight states. The majority (2,856,755 IDPs, 69.37%) have been reportedly displaced from Khartoum state; followed by South Darfur (14.79%), North Darfur (7.85%), Central Darfur (3.74%), West Darfur (3.23%), South Kordofan (0.56%), North Kordofan (0.45%), and Aj Jazirah (0.01%). DTM Sudan also estimates that approximately 2.91% of the IDP caseload are non-Sudanese nationals.
In addition to the internal displacement, the conflict in Sudan has caused the mixed cross-border movements of 1,130,516 individuals into neighbouring countries with Chad (42.4%) receiving the most arrivals followed by Egypt (25.2%), South Sudan (23.2%), Ethiopia (7.1%), Central African Republic (1.6%), and Libya (0.4%). 67% of arrivals tracked in those countries were Sudanese nationals and 33% estimated foreign nationals and returnees.
On 10 September, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, spoke to Hemedti stressing the urgent need to increase access to people in need. On 11 September, High Representative of the European Union for Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, called for an end to attacks that target civilians. Rains and flooding will continue to compound the situation further, approximately 360 houses were impacted by the heavy rains in Gedaref on 2 September. In North Kordofan, over 540 households were impacted as a result of the heavy rains and flooding. IOM and partners continue to respond to the growing needs in Sudan and neighbouring countries, identifying avenues to deliver humanitarian assistance across hard-to-reach areas.