The Crisis in Sudan: Urgent Need for Global Attention and Action
The crisis in Sudan has been largely ignored by the international community since the commencement of war in April 2023, despite escalating humanitarian needs. The U.S. is losing its ability to influence events, and external support for ongoing violence continues. The situation risks a fragmented Sudan as factions struggle for control, while displaced civilians suffer greatly. A coordinated international response is imperative for peace and stability.
Since the outbreak of the ongoing conflict in Sudan in April 2023, the nation has struggled to attract sufficient global attention amidst competing international crises. Attention has been diverted by domestic political affairs and the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. Despite the emergence of grave atrocities, widespread famine, and the rise of extremist groups, Sudan has not ascended the foreign policy agenda, and popular reactions to recent governmental assessments have largely been muted.
The United States has inadvertently weakened its influence in global affairs, complicating its capacity to respond effectively to the crisis in Sudan. The lack of attention from around the world exacerbates the dire situation, and the recent cuts to US Agency for International Development (USAID) have halted crucial assistance to the Sudanese populace suffering from starvation. Meanwhile, external players like Russia are exploiting the instability, seeking advantages such as control over Port Sudan.
Each passing week brings Sudan closer to a de facto partition, as the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and their allies, which include remnants of former dictator Omar al-Bashir’s administration and various militias, make military advancements. Although the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) signed a political agreement indicating their desire to maintain control of territory, their governance remains deeply suspect as they are widely disliked across the nation. The ongoing divisions among these factions do not herald a future of stability.
Foreign nations involved in the conflict, including Egypt, Turkey, and Iran on one side and the United Arab Emirates and Chad on the other, have faced minimal repercussions for their support, while the civilian populace bears the brunt of the associated violence and suffering. Many Sudanese are now displaced, subjected to various forms of violence, and deprived of basic rights like education and healthcare. The extensive ramifications of this conflict will inevitably extend beyond Sudan, threatening regional and global stability.
The resolution of such a complex crisis requires halting external support, achieving a genuine ceasefire protected by assurances, and establishing a clear path toward civilian governance. However, absent effective global leadership, these essential actions remain out of reach, just as the world continues to overlook the human and humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Sudan.
Sudan’s plight in the wake of the ongoing conflict highlights a critical need for focused international attention and intervention. While the dynamics of power among local factions complicate the situation, the apathy of foreign powers only exacerbates the suffering of the Sudanese. Without decisive action toward peace and governance reform, the crisis will persist, with far-reaching implications for global stability.
Original Source: www.cfr.org