South Kordofan Displaced Arrive in Kosti After Years of Siege

Trucks carrying displaced persons traveled hundreds of miles from South Kordofan State to the city of Kosti in White Nile State. It was an arduous journey, heavy with stories of pain and suffering caused by war and the harsh siege imposed by the People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) and “Rapid Support Forces” (RSF) on vast areas of South Kordofan, before the army succeeded in breaking the blockade.

The displaced suffered from hunger, exhaustion, and road closures. No goods reached them from any direction due to the closure of outlets and the raging war. In the period just before the siege was lifted, they were also subjected to drone attacks.

The journey to flee Dilling took between 13 and 14 days, following long and winding paths dictated by safety needs. According to press reports from the region, the displaced were forced to head south through the Yida area and then loop back north to finally reach Kosti—a long, circuitous route taken to avoid clash zones and besieged areas.

The new arrivals are trying to catch their breath after the exhaustion of the long journey. However, a new chapter of suffering begins the moment they arrive, as displaced families face the challenge of finding shelter, food, and health services amid extremely limited resources.