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| ©Ali Shukur/Médecins sans Frontières (MSF)/AFP/Getty Images |
The United Nations warned on Monday that the conflict in Sudan could force 800,000 people to flee the country as battles between rival military factions persisted in the capital. Hundreds of people have been killed and thousands wounded over 16 days of fighting since disputes between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted into conflict on April 15. Both sides agreed on Sunday to extend a truce by 72 hours, but air strikes and artillery rang out on Monday as smoke hung over Khartoum and neighbouring cities. The U.N. official Raouf Mazou said the body's refugee agency was planning for an exodus of 815,000 people, including 580,000 Sudanese and foreign refugees now living in the country.
Foreign governments pulled out their citizens over the past week in air, sea, and land operations, though several countries ended efforts. The U.S. government said on Monday that its convoys from Khartoum to the Red Sea harbour of Port Sudan evacuated more than 700 people over the weekend. Britain said it was exploring ways to provide humanitarian assistance to Sudan. Power and water supplies are uncertain, little food or fuel, most hospitals, and clinics are out of service, and transport costs are making it harder to leave. The U.N. and other aid organisations have cut benefits, though the World Food Programme is resuming operations in more secure areas.
Victoria, a tea seller, is risking her life to try to work, and her children are struggling to understand what is happening. Jamila, a woman still in Khartoum with her family, only eats one meal daily due to so little food available. Both sides said they were making progress without commenting directly on the ceasefire violations. The army said it had cut RSF's combat effectiveness by half and stopped it from trying to reinforce its positions in the capital. The RSF said it still controls the prominent locations of Khartoum and is beating back army reinforcements.
