The closure of the last civilian hospital in the besieged Sudanese city of el-Fasher due to an attack by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) will have a significant impact on the already dire situation in the region. The hospital, supported by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), was the only facility left where injured civilians could receive treatment. The attack, which involved looting, theft of medical equipment, and assault on staff, has left the civilian population with no access to medical care. This closure highlights the brutal nature of the Sudanese civil war, where even hospitals are not safe from violence.
The closure of the hospital has also created a humanitarian crisis, as injured civilians now have nowhere to go for treatment. With fuel, electricity, and water supplies not working at the nearby dilapidated hospital where MSF is relocating, the situation is dire for the local population. The ongoing conflict in Sudan has already led to the displacement of millions of people and caused widespread suffering. The RSF’s actions, including massacres and ethnic cleansing, have been condemned by international rights groups.
The attack on the hospital is a stark reminder of the lack of respect for human rights and the rule of law in Sudan. The international community must act swiftly to address the crisis and hold those responsible for the violence to account. Efforts to bring the warring parties to the negotiating table must be intensified to find a lasting solution to the conflict. The closure of the hospital in el-Fasher is a tragic example of the impact of war on civilian populations and the urgent need for peace and stability in Sudan.
