The lowland nyala, Tragelaphus angasii: a shy, daytime- browsing antelope of Southern Africa
Across Sudan, fighting between the army and RSF continues to disrupt aid, with El-Obeid and Darfur seeing sieges and drone strikes. Civilians suffer from hunger, water scarcity, disease, and sexual violence, while the UN and human rights groups push for ceasefire and humanitarian access.
Humanitarian and rights groups have documented mass killings, sexual violence and widespread displacement across RSF-held western Sudan. UNICEF has reported rising malnutrition, cholera risk and gender-based violence around El-Obeid and North Kordofan, while Sudan’s National Commission for Human Rights and UN probes have recorded mass graves, detention of thousands and nearly 4,000 cases of conflict-related sexual violence in Darfur.
Fighting around El Obeid, North Kordofan, has intensified, with civilians fleeing and humanitarian access tightening. International aid is strained as funding gaps persist, while the UN calls for protection of civilians and sustained aid delivery. Warnings grow over deteriorating health services and rising malnutrition.
The army has begun absorbing RSF defectors after a wave of defections, with more fighters crossing from Darfur and Kordofan. Security checks and swearing-in are underway, as authorities vet defectors amid ongoing fighting and accusations of war crimes.
The United States proposes expanding the UN arms embargo to cover all of Sudan and drone-related technology, while the Security Council weighs tougher measures amid intensifying drone strikes and external support. Darfur remains a flashpoint as the embargo’s future hinges on a veto-wielding Security Council.
Drone strikes hit a major fuel depot near Wad Madani and explosions hit Nyala, amid ongoing Sudanese conflict since 2023. The US has denied a visa to Sudan’s de facto leader for the UN General Assembly, while Burhan vows to eliminate the militia, deepening political standoff.
Reports from All Africa detail drone strikes hitting shelters and civilian targets in Blue Nile, North Kordofan, and West Kordofan. Casualties include children and women; hundreds displaced as fighting between the SAF and RSF intensifies across Kordofan and Blue Nile, triggering humanitarian concerns.
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification warns that famine risk is increasing in parts of Sudan where conflict and El Niño drought are intensifying food insecurity. Acute malnutrition is rising in Greater Darfur and Greater Kordofan, with aid access hampered by insecurity and funding shortfalls. By 8 October, less than half of the humanitarian appeal had been funded.
Since Friday, drone strikes have killed more than 160 people across western Sudan and Khartoum region, and a separate market strike in Abyei has killed at least 153, local officials say. Warring Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces have traded attacks; the UN has warned drone use is driving civilian deaths and worsening a deepening humanitarian crisis.
A drone strike has hit Amiet Market in the disputed Abyei district, killing at least 153 people and injuring dozens, local authorities have said. South Sudan has summoned Sudan’s ambassador and the United Nations has condemned the strikes while the Sudanese military has not commented on the allegation.