The horrific fighting in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, has grabbed news headlines since violence broke out on 15 April 2023. This violence shattered Khartoum’s reputation as an island of stability, with many noting that Khartoum had not been attacked in such a manner since the 19th century. The novelty of the attacks on Khartoum has however removed attention from the pervasive violence and unstable humanitarian situation occurring in many parts of Darfur and western Sudan. 

For instance in West Darfur, reports suggest that more than 10,000 people have been killed in the past two months. This is in addition to the mass exodus from the country to neighbouring states like Chad and the Central African Republic. The UN has estimated that at least 300,000 Sudanese nationals have fled to Chad and that 2,686,434 Sudanese are now internally displaced. 

Human Rights Watch has accused the Rapid Support Forces and other Arab militias of specifically targeting Masalit and other African groups in West Darfur. The RSF and Arab militias have committed extensive war crimes. Yet, their control of large parts of Darfur and western Sudan appears to be solidifying. 

On 9 August 2023, the Rift Valley Forum will host a panel to discuss the current situation in Darfur, the impact of the crisis on Chad, as well as the prospects for humanitarian intervention in the region. The panel will pay particular attention to the impact of the violence on vulnerable populations particularly the impact of gendered violence.

This forum is part of the the UK government’s XCEPT (Cross-border Conflict Evidence Policy and Trends) programme.

Time: 4.00 – 5.30pm EAT・Wednesday 9 August 2023
Place: Zoom Webinar Register here

Moderator
Alden Young
Associate Professor, UCLA. 
Author of Transforming Sudan: Decolonization, Economic Development and State-Formation 

Speakers
Sarra Majdoub
Conflict Analyst/Researcher

Hala Alkarib
Redional Director, Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa

El-Waleed  Mousa
Governance and International Development Expert

Jérôme Tubiana
Researcher & Journalist