Why Are We Ignoring Sudan?
Kaitlin Dryburgh
Why are we not talking about potentially one of the worst humanitarian disasters?
Firstly, I acknowledge that current events are at times a never-ending detail of conflict and misery, and I wouldn’t want to contribute to that unless it’s important.
Yet in among the news covering Ukraine, the US and Gaza we are completely ignoring Sudan.
We personally can’t be across everything, it would be detrimental to our mental state if we tried to do so but with all the focus on other events it’s as if the civil war in Sudan isn’t even taking place. Since April 2023 almost 10 million people have been displaced, the largest on recent record. Almost double the population of Scotland displaced, and we’re barley hearing a whisper about it. Thousands dead, infrastructure decimated, and an epidemic of violence spreading.
Unrest in the Sudanese capital Khartoum had been brewing for some time but on April 15th 2023 fighting erupted between the military and paramilitary- the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict hasn’t stopped since then, ceasefires barely last hours, and the wave of sexual violence being deployed is something unseen for some time. As ever it’s a conflict with greed at the centre of it all, but inability to put pressure on this via media, politics or diplomacy will have severe complications.
As the arms flood in the food and aid cease to reach those who need it. A new report by Human Rights Watch details the many horrors which have become an everyday occurrence. Among the violence food insecurity is rife, more than half the population (26 million) are now facing crisis levels of hunger. According to the World Food Programme Sudan now represents the world’s largest hunger crisis, and 14 areas are at risk of famine. The devastation caused by the conflict has severely impacted upon Sudan’s ability to produce food.
Sadly, aide that does make its way into the country and complies with the infuriating high levels of bureaucracy is at risk of being stopped by government forces or pillaged by RSF. Right now the situation remains on a knifes edge. To add further worry that a deadly famine could be on the way South Sudan is predicted to have serious flooding hitting them from September onwards. The worst famine in 40 years will be occurring next to the worst flooding in 60 years.
Those displaced and seeking refuge in neighbouring countries are at risk of famine, lack of healthcare and further violence. Thousands have fled to Chad, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Egypt, all counties facing many of their own problems and instabilities.
In terms of finding a solution to this utterly pointless war, the media has tried to simplify it by calling it a war over two disagreeing generals. In simple terms that is correct but of course it’s never as straightforward as that. However, to counter that if you consider the war in Ukraine and Gaza these are situations that are very complex and the efforts to try and find a solution have been much more coordinated than in Sudan. All we can offer up is some feeble diplomatic attempt at finding a resolution which may come easier if the same effort was deployed in Sudan as Gaza and Ukraine. As ever any attempt to overcome these difference are often thwarted by outside nations trying to influence for their own gain.
The spread of Russian mercenaries across several African nations including Sudan has added another level of instability, violence and corruption as they aide in stripping this natural resource rich country of gold. Conformation that the UAE and Iran are arming the RSF shows the extent to which other nations are fulling this conflict. This in direct violation of UN arms embargo, which although is essential is hard to enforce especially if we aren’t giving this the attention it requires. Meanwhile Egypt has been providing funding to the Sudanese government in the hopes of bringing stability to the region. Its a conflict with many players in the game, yet none motivated enough to find resolution.
The African Union is a significant actor in trying to find peace, but along with the UN hasn’t acted swiftly enough or quit the infighting to create a place for serious negotiation. Other international powers also haven’t managed to contain the fighting, which remains surprising conserving Sudan’s geographical position on the Red Sea and the fact it can count the US as one of their allies. The US only appointed a special envoy for Sudan this year, almost a year after fighting had occurred, meanwhile other conflicts had been receiving considerably more attention.
Yet, I cant help but think why are we not talking about it?
So what is it? It doesn’t have political ramifications for us, so who cares? Little interest in that region? Racist? Maybe a mixture of all and more is the reason we’re barely giving a damn.
Since the war began and thousands started dying from atrocious war crimes Sudan has struggled to grip onto the attention of the world press and in particular the West. But after the 7th October attack and the subsequent conflict in Gaza any interest in Sudan pretty much fell off the face of the earth. The atrocities in Gaza are no less or no more horrendous than what’s taking place in Sudan. Both deserve attention in the press and attention from international nations to help find a solution. Conflict is not a competition but it is comparable on this occasion as Sudan struggles to be heard. The Sudanese feel the eyes of the world elsewhere, they feel forgotten about and frustrated.
Yet pledges for donations were lacking even before Gaza. Last year the UN stated the country needed $3 billion to fund the humanitarian response but at a conference in Geneva only half of that was pledged. The UN’s chief for Relief also confirmed the frustrations in trying to get focus on Sudan. A flash appeal for Gaza was funded 104% while a flash appeal for Sudan received a shocking 6%. As I said conflict shouldn’t be competitive and neither should aid, but it shouldn’t be conditional either.
The extreme levels of suffering are not being met with an adequate response. Without a doubt racism and colourism is playing a big role in this, subconsciously and consciously. It’s not that this war is ‘forgotten’ but instead those in the media and policymakers have made the decision not to pay it deserved attention.
Online has a plethora of articles, mainly from smaller outlets with the occasional bigger one venturing into the topic dedicated to the ‘forgotten war’ but it doesn’t seem to make a difference. It’s like the prayers and thoughts after a US school shooting, comforting but makes little to no difference. Actual action is required.
As a famine looms over a country facing displacement numbers unseen for decades, we need to step-up. Aid is one thing and as we’re now into the second half of the year there remains a finding gap for donations so conditions look to become bleaker. If we're focused on resolving Ukraine and helping those in Gaza, Sudan need the same commitment.