Siege and Escalating Clashes Deepen the Humanitarian Crisis in South Kordofan

The intensifying conflict in South Kordofan State, coupled with the closure of vital roads due to the siege imposed by the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement–North (SPLM-N) led by Abdelaziz Al-Hilu, has severely worsened the humanitarian crisis in the cities of Kadugli and Dilling. The situation has reached unprecedented levels, marked by a scarcity of food in local markets, a lack of cash circulation, and the complete disappearance of life-saving medicines and medical supplies.

Residents now face daily threats of hunger and disease, leading to several deaths among children, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses. Patients with kidney failure and cancer are particularly suffering due to the lack of medication and the difficulty of traveling to safer areas.

Bombardment and Crises

Haroun Teh, a resident of Kadugli, the capital of South Kordofan, told Mashawir that “the situation has become unbearable, especially with the continued random shelling of residential areas by the SPLM-N, which has resulted in a growing number of casualties. The food crisis has worsened due to road closures and the suspension of supply chains for goods and medicines.”

He added, “Repeated bombardments have forced hundreds of families to flee to Dilling, Karakol, and Abu Jubaiha in search of safety amid extremely harsh conditions, especially after depleting their savings and losing their means of livelihood.”

Teh explained that residents in Kadugli are facing extreme economic hardship, with essential items like flour, oil, rice, lentils, and onions—crucial ingredients in Sudanese meals—no longer available.

He continued, “Merchants have exploited the current situation by raising prices to record highs and hoarding goods to create artificial scarcity and resell at outrageous prices.”

A Real Famine

Mahamoud Alish, a resident of Dilling, said that “living and humanitarian conditions have deteriorated drastically. Hunger now affects the majority of residents, and many neighbors go an entire day without eating a single meal. Dozens of families are forced to gather leaves from mango, lemon, and guava trees, adding some salt and spices to make a basic meal—especially after sorghum and wheat prices reached record highs.”

He told Mashawir that “due to the ongoing siege for over a year, food supplies from North Kordofan have completely halted, and accessing goods from the border region of Niam with South Sudan has become nearly impossible because traders are often robbed, assaulted, or detained by armed groups.”

Alish noted a noticeable rise in fever cases, malnutrition, malaria, and waterborne diseases, as well as respiratory infections among both children and adults, in addition to a complete lack of healthcare services.

Eating Tree Leaves

Um Al-Hussein Babiker, who fled with her family to the Karakol area south