aljazeera.com
Sudan Conflict: Civilian Deaths Surge in First Half of 2025
The UN reported a significant increase in civilian deaths in Sudan during the first half of 2025, reaching 3,384—80 percent of the total civilian deaths for the whole of 2024, due to the ongoing war between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
- What are the potential consequences if the violence continues unabated?
- The continued violence will lead to many more deaths without urgent intervention to protect civilians and ensure unhindered humanitarian aid. The ethnic targeting risks long-term instability and social fracturing within Sudan, hindering recovery and sustainable peace.
- What is the most significant impact of the escalating conflict in Sudan?
- The most significant impact is the drastic rise in civilian casualties. In the first six months of 2025, 3,384 civilians were killed, representing 80 percent of the total civilian deaths in 2024. This surge highlights the intensifying violence and disregard for civilian lives.
- How has the nature of the conflict changed, and what are its broader implications?
- The conflict has become increasingly ethnically targeted, with retaliatory violence against civilians accused of collaborating with opposing sides. The use of drones in attacks on civilian sites, including areas previously unaffected, expands the conflict's reach and poses grave risks to long-term stability and social cohesion.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article presents a balanced account of the conflict in Sudan, highlighting the suffering of civilians and the actions of both warring parties. The inclusion of multiple perspectives, including those of the UN, NGOs, and local groups, contributes to a comprehensive narrative. However, the focus on civilian casualties might inadvertently overshadow the political and strategic aspects of the conflict.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral and objective, employing terms like 'conflict,' 'warring parties,' and 'civilian casualties.' The inclusion of quotes from official sources and NGOs adds credibility. However, phrases like 'vicious civil war' and 'heinous crime' carry some emotional weight, though they are used in context and supported by evidence.
Bias by Omission
While the article provides a substantial overview, it could benefit from including further analysis of the underlying causes of the conflict, such as political grievances or economic factors. The article also focuses heavily on the suffering of civilians while not deeply exploring the perspectives and motivations of the warring factions beyond their actions. This omission, while not necessarily biased, could be improved for broader contextual understanding.
Sustainable Development Goals
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has devastating consequences for the civilian population, causing widespread displacement, death, and destruction of livelihoods. This significantly undermines efforts to alleviate poverty and exacerbates existing inequalities, pushing many further into poverty and hindering sustainable development.