Ten million people and counting have been displaced by the civil war in Sudan that began in April 2023. Sudan has been largely ignored, “drowned out by other wars — in Ukraine and Gaza,” as Alice Wairimu Nderitu, the U.N. special adviser of the Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide, puts it.
History of the Conflict
The Republic of Sudan was formed in 1956 and immediately faced geographical challenges. The young country was not only located directly between some of Africa’s most violent regions and states, but its borders also caused internal problems. A stark internal divide emerged between the wealthy, northern, and Muslim, portions of the country and the underdeveloped, southern, and Christian parts. (READ MORE: Trump-Style Candidates Rising in Europe)
Two civil wars have ensued since the country’s birth, with the second resulting in the formation of South Sudan in 2011.
Dictatorship and genocide have also marked the history of Sudan, culminating in a coup in 2019 by the Sudanese Military (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF), after which Abdalla Hamdok was named prime minister. Hamdok resigned in January 2022 after a tumultuous time in office. Since his resignation, there has been no effective civilian leadership in Sudan.
Groundwork was laid for returning to civilian leadership and integrating the RSF into the SAF, but tensions quickly rose between the two groups as they began to wrestle for power.
In April of 2023, the SAF and Rapid Support Forces RSF clashed in a battle for control of Sudan.
The Situation Today
Sources vary on the total dead, with estimates ranging from 15,000 to 150,000 people. There are now over 10 million displaced persons, with more than two million fleeing into countries surrounding Sudan. According to The World Food Programme, Sudan faces the worst displacement crisis in the world.
The civil war has also put a strain on the country’s already limited resources and thrust Sudan’s banking system into a severe crisis, rendering many unable to buy essential items thanks to inflation. Twenty-five million out of the 46.87 million people who live in Sudan require humanitarian assistance. (READ MORE: Biden Makes Inappropriate Comment in D-Day Speech)
The RSF has also committed mass atrocities, ethnically driven killings, sexual violence, and gone on multi-day killing sprees. There is evidence that the RSF is targeting minorities in Sudan as well, raising concerns of ethnic cleansing.
Negotiations to end the conflict have thus far failed for several reasons, including violated ceasefire agreements and disagreements between the generals leading the SAF and RSF.
Media Coverage
“There is no extensive media coverage, and nobody cares about what’s happening here. All the media channels are about Gaza, Gaza, and Gaza,” says Sudanese businessman Abu Muhamad.
Sudan is the third-largest country in Africa and is facing a far larger crisis than that in Gaza. The world has neither risen up in outrage against the atrocities civilians are facing nor have there been calls for a ceasefire. (READ MORE: Milei Must Wiggle Argentina Out of China’s Grasp)
“It is like people don’t have room for something else,” Bishop Toby Howarth said after visiting the region.
Cindy McCain, the executive director of the WFP, has underscored the importance of addressing the crisis immediately to mitigate “catastrophic effects as it comes down the line.”
“Sudan has the real possibility of becoming the world’s largest humanitarian crisis,” she adds.
Still, even with the urging of Anglican bishops, the WFP, and citizens of Sudan, the media turns a blind eye in favor of “hot-button” issues.
US and Russian Involvement
The U.S. State Department has expressed its hope for a solution that ends the violence and restores democracy, but there is “little persuasion” behind the statements.
“The Biden administration is dealing with too many crises…[it] is perceived as weak and unable to act internationally. Thus, regarding Sudan, Washington is idle, vague, and seems to not intervene to stop the tragedy,” Walid Phares, secretary general of the Transatlantic Parliamentary Group, said.
Russia, on the contrary, has been very involved in the civil war. Last year, there was evidence that the Wagner group aided the RSF by supplying them with missiles while simultaneously mining and exporting Sudanese gold to finance Russia’s war in Ukraine.
After the group’s demise, Russia now seems to be looking to support the Sudanese military and government.
A recent agreement between Russia and Sudan stipulates that Russia will be given a ‘“military, technical and logistical support center’ on the Red Sea Coast” in return for “war equipment.”
Rebekah Koffler, president of Doctrine and Strategy Consulting, warns that “Moscow views Sudan as the key ‘gate to Africa.’ Gold mining and the establishment of a Red Sea naval base at Port Sudan are top priorities.”
U.S. weakness has allowed for the violence to continue and forced Sudan to turn to Russian support when it received none from the U.S. There is every likelihood that Russia will continue to take advantage of the crisis in Sudan, which will continue if a revolutionary change is not enacted.
