A drone strike on Darfur hospital. Photo/Courtesy
By Daisy Okiring
Darfur is once again in crisis as thousands are forced to flee deadly violence, reigniting fears of genocide and sparking global alarm over Sudan’s spiraling conflict.
The United Nations estimates that more than 1.7 million people have been displaced across Sudan since April, with Darfur accounting for a significant share. Local rights groups report that entire villages have been burned, leaving families with no shelter or food.
A UNHCR spokesperson said thousands are crossing into neighboring Chad daily.
“The sheer scale of displacement is overwhelming already strained humanitarian efforts,” the agency noted.
Ethnic targeting raises genocide fears
Witnesses and aid workers describe attacks in Darfur as ethnically targeted, recalling the brutal campaign of killings and rapes that shocked the world in the early 2000s.
Human Rights Watch warned that “patterns of violence strongly suggest a coordinated campaign against specific ethnic communities.”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the world “must not allow Darfur to descend into another genocide,” urging all sides to respect international law.
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World leaders demand action
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned the violence, saying Washington was “deeply concerned about reports of atrocities in Darfur.” The African Union also called for immediate ceasefires and accountability.
European leaders echoed these concerns.
“Darfur is on the brink of catastrophe. The international community cannot turn a blind eye,” said Josep Borrell, EU foreign policy chief.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor has warned that perpetrators of atrocities in Sudan remain under investigation and could face trial for war crimes.
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Humanitarian crisis deepens
Aid agencies say the conflict has left millions without access to food, clean water, or healthcare. The World Food Programme has suspended some operations due to insecurity, worsening the crisis.
Doctors Without Borders reported overcrowded refugee camps in Chad, where malnutrition among children is rising.
“The humanitarian needs are immense, and resources are running out,” said one aid official.
Despite calls for peace, fighting between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces continues to devastate Darfur’s towns and villages. Analysts warn that without urgent international intervention, the region risks sliding into another prolonged humanitarian disaster.on.
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