Sudan marks two years of fighting with no end in sight

As Sudan marked the second anniversary of its brutal civil conflict on Tuesday, global leaders, foreign ministers and international organizations gathered in London in an attempt to chart an avenue through which the warring factions can negotiate peace and end the conflict.

The conference, which was hosted by the British government and the African Union and supported by other European allies, was, however, not attended by representatives from Sudan.

Earlier this month, Ali Youssef, Sudan's foreign minister sent a letter to British Foreign Secretary David Lammy in which he protested organizing a conference on Sudan without inviting the Sudanese government.

Ahead of the conference, Doctors Without Borders, an international medical humanitarian organization, on Monday reported that they witnessed more than 10,000 people fleeing from Sudan's Zamzam refugee camp in the country's Darfur region over the weekend following attacks by the Rapid Support Forces militia group.

This came as the RSF militia on Sunday announced that it took control of the famine-hit Zamzam camp after two days of heavy shelling and gunfire that killed at least 100 people, including children and aid workers, according to the UN.

Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, chairman of the African Union Commission, on Monday cited credible reports of intensified attacks in Zamzam and Abu Shouk camps that caused the deaths of civilians, including children and humanitarian workers — which is an unacceptable and grave violation of international humanitarian and human rights law.

"The African Union urges all concerned parties to exercise maximum restraint, and refrain from any actions that could exacerbate tensions. The well-being of the Sudanese people must remain the foremost priority, and all efforts must be directed towards ensuring an environment conducive to lasting peace and development," Youssouf said.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Monday Sudan remains a high priority for the United Nations and he will continue to engage with regional and global leaders on means to enhance collective efforts for peace.

Political efforts urged

"Two years into a devastating war, comprehensive, revitalized and well-coordinated political efforts are urgently needed to prevent Sudan's further fragmentation. As an international community, we must find ways to help the Sudanese people, bring this unspeakable catastrophe to an end and establish acceptable transitional arrangements," Guterres said.

Latest figures from the UN indicate that nearly 13 million people have been uprooted from their homes with almost 4 million crossing into the neighboring countries of Egypt, South Sudan, Chad, Libya, Ethiopia, the Central African Republic, and further afield into Uganda. In addition, more than 30,000 people have been reported killed across Sudan, though the actual death toll is likely much higher due to indirect causes such as the spread of disease, malnutrition, and lack of adequate healthcare.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has warned that as the conflict and displacement intensify, funding continues to lag with the regional response coming at less than 10 percent of what is needed.