Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

2-minute read
01 Januray 2024 | 17:31 CAT

Image: Al Jazeera

The fighting in Sudan continues with no signs of ending, and there is no political solution in sight. This has caused millions of Sudanese to live in a state of conflict and uncertainty for eight months.

The Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary group, has gained momentum recently and strengthened its control over the vast Darfur region. The RSF has also seized new territories, including Wad Madani, the second-largest City.

A former Sudanese journalist, currently a political commentator and living in Cairo, Dalia Mohammed, spoke to Radio Islam International to provide a brief overview of the current situation in Sudan.

“After eight months of war the conflict has spread into new areas in Sudan, moving more into the centre,” says Mohammed.

According to Mohammed, the war has spread to cities in Gezira state, whose capital is Wad Madani, considered the breadbasket for Sudan and is where the majority of agriculture is. At the same time, Wad Madani was the hub for humanitarian aid distribution and became the hub for children’s vaccination, which has now been stopped.

Wad Madani was also a haven for hundreds of thousands of displaced people who relocated from the war-torn capital, Khartoum, earlier in the war, which began in April.

Disease outbreaks are increasing due to the disruption of basic public health services, including disease surveillance, functioning public health laboratories and rapid response teams.

In addition, insecurity, displacement, and limited access to medicines, medical supplies, electricity, and water continue to pose enormous challenges to delivering health care across the country. About 65 per cent of the population needs access to healthcare, and between 70 and 80 per cent of hospitals in conflict-affected areas are no longer functional.

Listen to the full interview on The Daily Round-Up with Muallimah Annisa Essack.