South Kordofan state in Sudan has witnessed a dangerous escalation in violence, with three health centers attacked in a single week, exacerbating the suffering of civilians in an already fragile security and humanitarian situation. These tragic incidents once again highlight the grave dangers faced by medical personnel and health facilities amidst the ongoing conflict.
The collapse of the health system and the repercussions of targeting
The targeting of medical facilities in South Kordofan comes at a particularly critical time, as Sudan’s health sector as a whole has been on the brink of collapse since the outbreak of war in mid-April 2023. International reports and the World Health Organization indicate that the closure of hospitals and health centers has become a defining characteristic of the current conflict, depriving millions of citizens of their fundamental right to healthcare. The destruction or disabling of three such centers in a single week amounts to a slow death sentence for thousands of sick and injured people in rural and remote areas who rely entirely on these basic medical points.
The geographical and security context of South Kordofan
South Kordofan state has a complex geographical and political landscape, having been the scene of protracted conflicts even before the current war. These recent attacks further complicate the situation, displacing more people fleeing the violence and making it difficult for international and local humanitarian organizations to reach those in need. The continued violence in this strategic region threatens to widen the conflict and undermines local peace efforts that community leaders are trying to maintain.
A flagrant violation of international humanitarian law
Attacks on healthcare facilities and medical personnel constitute a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions, which stipulate the protection of hospitals and medical personnel during armed conflicts. The recurrence of these incidents has raised serious concerns within the international community and among human rights organizations, which have long warned that targeting civilian infrastructure amounts to war crimes. This pattern of targeting creates an environment of terror that prevents doctors and nurses from carrying out their duties, thus exacerbating the health crisis.
Future impacts and growing concerns
With no clear political horizon for a comprehensive ceasefire in Sudan, there are growing fears that targeting health centers will become a systematic tactic to depopulate areas. The situation in South Kordofan requires urgent intervention to provide safe passage for medical aid and protect what remains of the health infrastructure, to ensure the region does not descend into an uncontrollable epidemic and humanitarian catastrophe.
