Civilians face violence, famine in Sudan

IN KADUGLI, a besieged city in Sudan's Kordofan region, escalating violence and worsening famine have left civilians trapped in a state of constant fear, according to testimonies.

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Two and a half years of war between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces have ravaged the South Kordofan state capital, with strikes intensifying in recent weeks.

The latest, a drone strike on a UN peacekeeping base at the weekend, killed six Bangladeshi troops.

Two rare accounts have been obtained of daily life in the embattled city, anonymised for safety reasons.

Under a communications blackout, internet use is limited, expensive and monitored by the army authorities that control the city.

Here are the accounts of life today in Kadugli, where the UN has declared famine and repeatedly warned of “brutal escalation".

Both residents spoke of rapidly escalating violence.