RSF transforms hospital in Sudan’s West Kordofan into military compound

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have turned a significant portion of Al-Nuhud Hospital in West Kordofan, southern Sudan, into a military command post and barracks since taking control of the city over five months ago, according to the Sudan Doctors Network. The NGO stated on Friday that the RSF, a fierce rival of the government-aligned Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in the ongoing three-year civil war, has obstructed the hospital from providing essential medical services to the local population.

"Repurposing a healthcare facility for military use is a clear breach of the protection of medical institutions and denies civilians their right to medical care," the group posted on Facebook, noting that some medical staff accused of assisting the military fled the city. This has resulted in a critical shortage of healthcare workers, leaving the hospitals remaining services severely restricted and unable to meet patients needs.

The SAF and RSF have been engaged in conflict since April 2023, despite repeated regional and international efforts to mediate. The fighting has caused thousands of deaths and displaced millions, leading the United Nations to label it the worlds largest humanitarian crisis.

In Sudans western Darfur region, hundreds of children have arrived in Tawila without parents since the RSF captured el-Fasher last month. The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) reported at least 400 unaccompanied children, though the actual number is likely higher. The RSF seized el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, on October 26 after an 18-month siege that left residents cut off from food, medicine, and other necessities. The paramilitary group has been accused of mass killings, kidnappings, and sexual violence. Allegations of atrocities have also been made against the Sudanese army.

Recently, the United States proposed a ceasefire to Sudans warring factions, but neither side has formally accepted it. On Monday, the RSF announced a unilateral halt to hostilities in line with US requests.

Meanwhile, the SAF reported on Tuesday that it had defended a base in Babnusa, West Kordofan, marking a new front in the war. Sudans army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan called on US President Donald Trump on Wednesday to assist in securing peace. In an op-ed for The Wall Street Journal, he wrote, "The Sudanese people now look to Washington to take the next step: to build on the US presidents honesty and work with us and those in the region who genuinely seek peace to end this war."

Efforts to negotiate peace between Burhan and his former deputy, RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan "Hemedti" Dagalo, have repeatedly failed, leaving tens of thousands dead, 12 million displaced, and generating the worlds largest hunger and displacement crisis. Trump publicly committed to addressing the conflict last week, following encouragement from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.

Analysis: The Humanitarian Impact of the RSF's Use of Al-Nuhud Hospital

The situation in Sudan's West Kordofan region continues to deteriorate as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have transformed Al-Nuhud Hospital into a military command post and barracks. This alarming development not only exacerbates the already dire humanitarian crisis but also represents a blatant violation of international laws designed to protect healthcare facilities in conflict zones. According to the Sudan Doctors Network, the RSF's actions have effectively blocked the hospital from fulfilling its essential role in providing medical care to the civilian population.

The repurposing of a healthcare facility for military use is a clear breach of the Geneva Conventions, which prohibit the use of medical institutions for military purposes. This not only endangers the lives of patients but also disrupts the ability of local medical staff to provide care, some of whom have fled due to fears of reprisals or accusations of collaboration with the RSF. The resulting shortage of healthcare workers in the area has left many people without access to vital treatment, deepening the suffering of civilians caught in the crossfire of Sudan’s civil war.

Furthermore, the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF, which has been raging since April 2023, has led to widespread displacement and suffering. With more than 12 million people displaced and over 10,000 deaths, Sudan is facing what the United Nations has termed the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. The situation in the Darfur region, particularly in Tawila where hundreds of unaccompanied children have arrived, highlights the severe human cost of the war.

Efforts by international bodies to mediate peace have failed thus far, with no tangible progress made toward a ceasefire. While the United States has proposed a ceasefire plan, the RSF’s recent announcement of a unilateral halt to hostilities is seen as insufficient in halting the violence. With both sides entrenched in their positions and no clear resolution in sight, the outlook for Sudan remains grim, with civilians bearing the brunt of the conflict's devastating impact.

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• RSF converts hospital in Sudan’s West Kordofan into military base