A western Sudanese state amid Darfur’s conflict
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.
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.
Nearly 1,400 people from 260 families have arrived in Tawila, North Darfur in five days, pushing total arrivals since early September past 6,000. The displaced, mainly women, children, and older residents, cite deteriorating security, hunger, drought, and famine. Host communities face growing pressure as humanitarian access remains critical. Aid groups call for an urgent, coordinated response to provide food, water, shelter, healthcare, and psychosocial support.
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 in disputed Abyei, including at least 50–80 civilians in West Kordofan and an attack on Amiet Market near Abyei that has left scores dead and dozens wounded. Authorities and aid groups have blamed both the Sudanese military and the paramilitary RSF; the UN has warned of rising civilian harm.
A drone strike has flattened Amiet market in the disputed Abyei area, killing at least 153 people and wounding dozens, local officials and aid agencies have said. South Sudan has summoned Sudan’s ambassador and the United Nations has condemned the attacks; the Sudanese military has not acknowledged responsibility.
Drones attributed to the SAF and RSF have repeatedly struck civilians, markets, hospitals and displacement sites in Sudan, driving mass displacement and deepening a humanitarian crisis. The UN rights office has documented dozens of deaths and numerous injuries in October as fighting intensifies and the war economy sustains itself.
A Nigerian independent investigation has found that severe overcrowding, heat stress and dehydration caused the deaths of 33 detainees in Minna, Niger State. The panel recommends prosecution for officers involved, compensation for families, and reforms to detention practices. The government says the deaths were preventable custodial tragedies linked to overcrowding and poor conditions.