Wad Madani, a crucial aid hub located approximately 170 km southeast of Khartoum, is facing intensified clashes between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The city, previously considered a safe haven for civilians escaping the conflict in the capital since April, has now devolved into a war zone.

The RSF's offensive and potential takeover of Wad Madani could exacerbate the already dire humanitarian situation, causing mass displacement and further escalating the crisis in areas directly impacted by the conflict. The densely populated city has become a battleground, with fighter jets soaring overhead, black smoke billowing, and explosions echoing from the northern outskirts.

Sudan's army claims to be holding steadfast in resisting the offensive, but the situation remains tense, threatening the safety of the city's residents. The conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF rebels has already displaced nearly 7 million people, devastated the capital, and triggered ethnically driven killings in Darfur.

Reports from residents in Khartoum and other cities detail disturbing incidents of rape, looting, arbitrary killings, and detentions by the RSF.

6 million on brink of famine

In response to the escalating violence, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has announced the suspension of all humanitarian field missions within and from al-Jazirah state until further notice. More than 270,000 of Wad Madani’s 700,000 inhabitants are reliant on humanitarian aid, heightening concerns for their well-being.

The UN has sounded a dire warning, stating that hunger and displacement in Sudan are spiraling out of control, with over 6 million people on the brink of famine. Since the conflict erupted in mid-April over a power struggle between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, more than 12,190 lives have been lost, and thousands have been wounded, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project.

With over 5.4 million internally displaced and 1.3 million fleeing abroad since April, the situation remains critical. Both sides are accused of indiscriminate shelling of residential areas, as well as looting and harassing civilians.

Read more: Sudan: A borderless conflict

Sudan urges immediate termination of UN political mission

Back in November, the Sudanese government, in a letter to the United Nations, requested the immediate termination of the UN's political mission, UNITAMS, in the country.

"[The] government of Sudan requested that the United Nations immediately terminate the UNITAMS mission. At the same time, we would like to assure you that the Government of Sudan is committed to engaging constructively with the Security Council and the Secretariat," Ali Sadeq, Sudan's acting Foreign Minister, conveyed in the letter to the UN Security Council, as reported by Reuters and dpa news agencies.

The letter directed to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres mentioned, "The purpose of establishing the mission [was] to assist the transitional government of Sudan after the December 2018 revolution," indicating that the mission's effectiveness in achieving its goals "was disappointing."

The UN Security Council has received and disseminated the letter, as stated by Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Read more: 6.3mln people threatened with famine in conflict-torn Sudan