Hundreds flee Kadugli in single day as Sudan conflict intensifies: UN

Hundreds of civilians were forced to flee the Sudanese city of Kadugli in just one day last week as attacks by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) intensified. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported Sunday that its field teams estimated between 350 and 450 people were displaced from the South Kordofan state capital on December 5 due to rapidly deteriorating security.

Destinations of the Displaced and Broader Exodus

The displaced individuals sought refuge in various locations, primarily in Abu Zabad in West Kordofan and Sheikan in North Kordofan. This daily exodus is part of a much larger wave, with UN estimates indicating over 41,000 people have fled escalating violence in North and South Kordofan states in the past month alone. The three Kordofan states have been theaters of fierce fighting between the Sudanese army and the RSF for weeks.

Siege Conditions and Famine Confirmation

Kadugli has endured a prolonged siege imposed jointly by the RSF and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM-N) since the early months of the war, alongside sustained artillery and drone attacks. The dire humanitarian situation culminated in a grim confirmation on Friday, when UNICEF's representative in Sudan, Sheldon Yett, stated that famine has been confirmed in Kadugli. No official population statistics exist for the city, which has experienced multiple displacement waves over time.

Context of the National Conflict

The crisis in Kadugli reflects the broader national conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF, which began in April 2023. The war has killed thousands and displaced millions. Currently, the RSF controls most of the five Darfur states in the west, while the army holds most areas in the remaining 13 states, including the capital Khartoum. The ongoing violence underscores one of the world's most severe humanitarian catastrophes.