Mass displacement from South Khartoum amidst insecurity and deteriorating conditions

June 4, 2024 (KHARTOUM) – Volunteers in Sudan disclosed on Tuesday that a substantial number of residents from southern Khartoum have been displaced due to escalating insecurity and a decline in health and living conditions.

The South Belt area, encompassing the neighbourhoods of Al-Inqaz, Al-Azhari, Al-Salama, and Mayo, has been under the control of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since the war’s onset. These neighbourhoods have endured persistent clashes between the army and the RSF, subject to heavy artillery fire and periodic airstrikes targeting the Sports City camp and RSF positions. This has led to significant civilian casualties and widespread destruction of homes.

Mohamed Kandasha, spokesperson for the South Belt Emergency Room, told Sudan Tribune: “A large number of South Belt residents have left, and others are contemplating leaving permanently due to the dire living conditions in the area.”

Kandasha explained that the area experienced a wave of displacement to the states of Gedaref, Gezira, and others in the early days of the war. Some residents returned to their homes in southern Khartoum after the RSF seized control of Gezira State. However, the deteriorating security and health situation and soaring food prices over the past three months have forced them to flee again.

According to Kandasha, the ongoing communication blackout in vast areas of Khartoum has further exacerbated the residents’ plight. He highlighted severe difficulties in obtaining drinking water due to power outages, hospitals’ inability to treat chronic disease patients, and the restriction of their services to emergency surgeries and childbirth.

Since last February, telecommunications and internet services have been disrupted in large parts of Khartoum, only returning in areas under army control in North Omdurman. Additionally, extensive power outages, some lasting for an entire year, have plagued large parts of Khartoum.

Authorities in the army-controlled states have been hesitant to permit the delivery of certain goods to RSF-controlled areas in Khartoum. They have also implemented stringent security measures on the roads, further worsening living conditions for the residents.