Amina Mohammed, the UN Deputy Secretary-General, addressed members of the Security Council on Friday, August 7th, 2026, during an informal meeting focused on safeguarding education in Sudan. She highlighted the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict on Sudan’s children, stating, “Among everything this war is taking, one of the most significant is the future of Sudan depriving the education of its children.”

Mohammed reported that at least eight million school-aged children remain outside the classroom, with displaced children, especially those who have fled to other countries, disproportionately affected. In the Darfur region, nearly three-quarters of schools have been damaged, destroyed, or rendered non-functional since fighting erupted in April 2023. She added, “Five children in every six are out of school, and parents will tell you they would rather keep their children at home than send them to a classroom, because home for them is the only place left where they can keep them safe.”

Since 2024, the UN has verified more than 67 attacks on schools across Sudan and reported over 154 instances of military use of schools, though the actual figures are believed to be higher. Mohammed described these attacks as “frontal assaults on children’s safety and their dignity,” noting that children lose protective spaces, social development opportunities, and access to essential services such as school feeding programs, healthcare, and mental health support.

Despite efforts this year by the UN and partners to bring more than a million Sudanese children back into some form of learning, Mohammed emphasized that it is insufficient. She concluded, “Sudan’s children have waited 1,210 days for the war to end. They should not have to wait any longer.”

The Deputy Secretary-General called for renewed international action to end the conflict and protect the future of Sudan’s children.

Sources