Report on the Escalating Conflict in Sudan and its Impact on Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Executive Summary

Recent attacks by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan’s West Kordofan province have resulted in significant civilian casualties, further exacerbating the nation’s humanitarian crisis. This report details an offensive in the village of Brima Rashid, contextualizes it within the broader civil war, and analyzes the profound negative impacts on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning peace, health, hunger, and justice.

2.0 Incident Report: Attack on Brima Rashid Village

An activist group, the Emergency Room, reported a two-day offensive by the RSF on Brima Rashid village, commencing on Wednesday and concluding Thursday morning. The attack is a stark violation of fundamental human rights and international law.

2.1 Casualties and Human Cost

The violence has directly undermined SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

• Fatalities: Initial reports documented the killing of 32 civilians, including siblings.
• Injuries: More than 50 individuals were wounded in the attack.
• Targeting of Civilians: The Sudan Doctors’ Network confirmed that RSF fighters targeted unarmed civilians in their homes, including women, children, and the elderly, actions which may constitute crimes against humanity and directly contravene the core principles of SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by targeting vulnerable populations.

3.0 Conflict Context and its Detrimental Effect on SDGs

The Sudanese civil war, which began in April 2023, has systematically dismantled the foundations for sustainable development across the nation. The fighting between the Sudanese army and the RSF has turned regions like Kordofan into critical frontlines, leading to a complete breakdown of societal structures.

3.1 Widespread Impact on National Stability and Development

1. Erosion of Peace and Justice (SDG 16): The conflict represents a total failure to achieve SDG 16. The ongoing violence, atrocities, ethnically motivated killings, and lack of accountability have obliterated peace and access to justice for millions.
2. Destruction of Sustainable Communities (SDG 11): The targeting of villages and the displacement of populations render human settlements unsafe and unsustainable, directly reversing any progress toward SDG 11.
3. Reversal of Health and Well-being (SDG 3): With over 24,000 documented deaths and a collapsed healthcare system, the war has created a public health catastrophe, making the targets of SDG 3 unattainable.

4.0 The Humanitarian Crisis as a Failure of Global Goals

The war has precipitated the world’s most severe humanitarian crisis, demonstrating a catastrophic setback for multiple Sustainable Development Goals.

• Extreme Poverty and Hunger (SDG 1 & SDG 2): The conflict has driven approximately 13 million people from their homes and pushed parts of the country into famine, directly opposing the goals of SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).
• Mass Displacement (SDG 10 & SDG 11): Over 4 million people have fled to neighboring countries, creating a regional refugee crisis that exacerbates inequalities (SDG 10) and places immense strain on the resources of host communities.
• Crimes Against Humanity (SDG 5 & SDG 16): Widespread reports of mass rape and other atrocities are grave violations of human rights and severe impediments to achieving SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and establishing just institutions as envisioned in SDG 16.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere. The article directly discusses the civil war, attacks on villages, and provides specific death tolls (“killing more than 30 people,” “killed more than 24,000 people”), which are in direct opposition to this target.
   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. The article highlights a complete breakdown of the rule of law, mentioning “atrocities including mass rape and ethnically motivated killings that amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity” and attacks on “unarmed civilians in their homes.”

2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger

   • Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people… to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round. The article explicitly states that the war has created a severe food crisis, noting that “Parts of Sudan have been pushed into famine.”

3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.D: Strengthen the capacity of all countries… for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks. The conflict represents a massive national health crisis. The article mentions the high number of wounded (“More than 50 others were wounded”) and the involvement of a “Sudan Doctors’ Network” tracking the war, indicating a severe strain on health systems and a failure to manage health risks.

4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected… caused by disasters… with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations. The civil war is a man-made disaster. The article details its impact by stating it has “driven about 13 million people from their homes” and caused thousands of deaths, directly contradicting the goal of protecting vulnerable populations.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Conflict-related deaths: The article provides specific numbers that can be used as indicators for Target 16.1. It mentions “the killing of 32 people,” a war total of “more than 24,000 people,” and “more than 300 people” killed in Kordofan earlier in the month.
• Number of people affected by conflict: The article states “More than 50 others were wounded,” which serves as an indicator for the health and human cost of the conflict (SDG 3, SDG 11).
• Number of internally displaced persons and refugees: The article provides clear data, stating the war has “driven about 13 million people from their homes, including over 4 million who crossed into neighboring countries.” This is a direct indicator for Target 11.5.
• Prevalence of extreme food insecurity: The statement that “Parts of Sudan have been pushed into famine” is a direct qualitative indicator for Target 2.1.
• Reports of human rights violations: The mention of “mass rape and ethnically motivated killings that amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity” serves as a qualitative indicator for the failure to achieve Target 16.3.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: newarab.com