Sudan, the forsaken war

Since 2003, different regimes and coups d’état followed each other in the country, placing Sudan in a situation of political mayhem and insecurity for more than 20 years. Sudan is rated as one of the most dangerous countries in the world, at 159^th. The conflict opposes the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAM), state’s army, led by the general Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, president of Sudan, and the Rapid Support Forces, (RSF) a powerful independent paramilitary militia led by Muhamad Hamdan Daglo, “Hemetti”

Both of the leaders were involved in the coup of 2021.

The conflict impacts

The RSF benefit from many financial institutions, from the Sudanese oil rigs and from the friendly relations with other countries like Russia and the UAE, maintained by “Hemetti”, who concluded an alliance with the Wagner paramilitary group. They are being held responsible for thousands of ethnically based murders, targeting African inhabitants in regions like the Darfur in the west of the country. Moreover, they are accused of committing sexual violences and torturing thousands of people.

The SAM are also accused of committing war crimes, like using chemical weapons in 2016 against civilians, torture, mass murders and sexual violence.

“Both the RSF and rival Sudanese government forces have used heavy artillery and shelling in highly populated areas, leading to the mass destruction of critical water, sanitation, and sanitation facilities, education, and health care”, says Africa News.

Moreover, the humanitarian situation and others hazards like diseases spreading are among many others major issues. Both belligerents showed their ability to use abusive and illegal ways to fight this war, especially against civilians. The humanitarian stake is particularly concerning in the Darfur region because of the violence. In the capital city Khartoum, many airstrikes hit the streets almost every day.

While the situation remains critical for the population, Antonio Guterres said in a speech “The world is forgetting about the people of Sudan. Half of the country’s population needs lifesaving assistance. But they need more than humanitarian support. They need an end to the bloodshed. They need peace. The only path out of this horror is a political solution”. He pronounced this speech on April 15th, 2024, marking the 1-year anniversary of the conflict. This speech is not the only mention of the situation in Sudan at the United Nations. Indeed, it has been mentioned many times before.

The only recorded action took by the United Nations for the moment is the deployment of many humanitarian aid organizations. They are massively helping to prevent an even bigger humanitarian disaster.

The United Nations are yet to show any physical action to ease the situation in Sudan. During these last months, only calls for ceasefire have been sent, without any success.

Numbers from UNO (since April 2023):

• At least 20 000 dead
• 2,2 million people fled the country
• 10,5 million people left their home to move to the centre of the country
• 14 million children need help
• Hunger has become a dangerous death factor in Northern-Darfur
• 80% of the hospitals and health facilities are out of service
• 2,7 billion dollars are estimated to be needed to help the Sudanese people

While the situation gets more and more unpredictable everyday, an international help seems necessary for the country to survive.