By Deng Athian
Thousands of civilians have been displaced and forced into harsh living conditions following renewed fighting between forces of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) and members of the Atoro community in South Kordofan.
According to community representatives, the latest wave of violence, which intensified in early May, has left entire villages destroyed, livelihoods shattered, and families struggling to survive in remote mountainous areas without access to basic services.
Residents said the conflict, rooted in a long-running dispute over territorial boundaries dating back to 2021, escalated into large-scale clashes that have triggered a severe humanitarian emergency.
Community leaders accused the armed forces involved in the fighting of carrying out a scorched-earth campaign that destroyed villages and local markets inhabited by Atoro civilians. They also alleged widespread looting of homes, livestock, and personal property during the military operations.
“The people have lost everything,” a community representative said. “Homes, markets, animals, and savings were taken or destroyed, leaving families with no means of survival.”
The conflict has forced entire communities to flee their homes and seek refuge in the rocky mountain areas around Kauda.
Displaced families are reportedly living in makeshift shelters under extremely difficult conditions, with limited access to food, healthcare, and clean drinking water.
Local sources say many of the displaced are women, children, and elderly people who escaped the fighting with few possessions.
Humanitarian conditions have deteriorated rapidly as the displaced population struggles to access safe water sources and other essential services.
Community leaders have appealed for urgent humanitarian assistance and protection for civilians affected by the violence.
They are calling on authorities and humanitarian organisations to provide emergency relief, including food, clean water, medical supplies, and shelter for those displaced by the conflict.
The recent clashes are the latest chapter in a dispute that community leaders trace back to disagreements over border demarcation between the Atoro and Tira communities.
While efforts at mediation were reportedly undertaken before the outbreak of fighting, local leaders say those initiatives failed to prevent the escalation.
As the security situation remains fragile, displaced families continue to shelter in the mountains, uncertain about when they will be able to return to their homes and rebuild their lives.
Humanitarian concerns remain at the center of the crisis, with local communities warning that conditions could worsen if urgent assistance does not reach those affected.