War in Sudan: Why a Nation Is Falling Apart - An online discussion by DW Documentary

Key Concepts:

• Sudan Civil War: A complex conflict involving multiple actors and foreign interests, resulting in a major humanitarian crisis.
• RSF (Rapid Support Forces): A paramilitary group with origins in the Janjaweed militias, now a key belligerent in the civil war.
• SAF (Sudanese Armed Forces): The regular army of Sudan, also a major participant in the conflict.
• SPLM (Sudan People's Liberation Movement): A political and military organization primarily active in the Nuba Mountains.
• Humanitarian Crisis: Widespread displacement, malnutrition, and collapse of healthcare systems across Sudan, particularly in Darfur.
• Foreign Interference: Involvement of regional and global powers, providing weapons and support to different factions, exacerbating the conflict.
• Gold: A key resource in Sudan, used to finance the war and smuggled out of the country, primarily benefiting the UAE.
• Democratic Transition: The failed attempt to establish civilian rule after the ousting of Omar al-Bashir, leading to the current conflict.
• Mutual Aid: Community-led initiatives providing essential services and support in the face of humanitarian crisis.

1. Overview of the Crisis in Sudan

• The discussion begins by highlighting the dire humanitarian situation in Sudan, characterized by over 150,000 deaths, 500,000 child deaths due to malnutrition, and over 15 million people displaced.
• The UN has declared it the world's largest humanitarian crisis, yet it receives limited international attention.
• DW co-produced the film "A Hospital in the Shadow of War" to shed light on the struggles in the Nuba Mountains and the broader humanitarian catastrophe.
• The panel aims to discuss the conflict's causes, the interests of foreign powers, potential consequences, and prospects for peace.

2. Filmmakers' Perspective: Accessing and Documenting the Crisis

• Idea and Challenges: KL explains that the film idea arose from the lack of sufficient news coverage of Sudan. Accessing Sudan for journalists is exceptionally difficult, especially for long-term, in-depth reporting.
• Access via South Sudan: The filmmakers gained access through South Sudan, reporting from the southern part of Sudan, including refugee camps. They focused on a hospital run by German doctors.
• Logistical Hurdles: The rainy season delayed their journey, highlighting the challenges of delivering humanitarian aid by road.
• Humanitarian Situation in Nuba Mountains: Laura describes a stable peace situation but severe food shortages due to a large influx of refugees and a poor harvest. The local population shared their food, exacerbating the scarcity.
• Malnutrition and Disease: Malnourished children are particularly vulnerable to diseases like worms and malaria, leading to high mortality rates.
• Example: The fields were full of vegetable of food the harvest was I mean everything was in bloom etc. But of course that was only a short relief because then the next rain season come and you still have to feed so and so many more people because of all the refugees that came in.

3. Current Situation in Nuba Mountains and Darfur

• Nuba Mountains: Hajush clarifies that the Nuba Mountains were initially a refuge, but the war has now spread there. Two cities, Kadugi and Delenge, are besieged, facing IPC level 4 and 5 starvation.
• SPLM Involvement: The SPLM, formerly part of the SPLM in South Sudan, maintains its army and has taken sides in the conflict.
• Darfur: Kyle emphasizes that the humanitarian crisis is countrywide, with Darfur experiencing the most pressing needs.
• Destruction and Obstruction: Over 70% of hospitals in Darfur have been destroyed or partially damaged. Water and sanitation systems are also severely impacted.
• Humanitarian Access: Obstruction from warring parties hinders humanitarian response efforts.
• Consequences: Millions are caught in a largely unattended humanitarian crisis, with primary and secondary healthcare collapsed, famine conditions, high levels of sexual violence, and maternal mortality.

4. The Conflict in Darfur: Historical Context and Key Actors

• Historical Roots: Hollude traces the conflict back to the 1980s, with climate change and desertification exacerbating tensions between farmers and pastoralists.
• Marginalization: The central government in Khartoum has historically marginalized the people of Darfur, leading to resource scarcity and conflict.
• Government Arming of Militias: The government armed Arab pastoralist groups (Janjaweed) to fight its wars in Darfur.
• Evolution of the RSF: The Janjaweed were re-fashioned into the RSF, brought into Khartoum by Omar al-Bashir, and later rebelled against the central state.
• Multiple Actors: Various groups, including the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) under Abd Wahid, maintain independence and control territory.
• Famine and Displacement: Tawila, controlled by the SLM, is facing severe famine and displacement, exacerbated by the flooding season.
• Impunity: Impunity for past crimes, particularly the Darfur genocide (2003-2005), fuels the readiness to commit atrocities.

5. Control and Influence Map

• Red Areas: Controlled by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), with a new administrative capital in Port Sudan.
• Blue Areas: Controlled by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), primarily in western Sudan.
• Yellow Zones: Areas with joint forces made up of former Darfur rebels.
• RSF Origins: The RSF started as an ethnic militia, becoming the Praetorian Guard for Bashir's regime.
• Power Struggle: After ousting Bashir in 2019, the heads of the SAF and RSF jostled for power, leading to the current conflict.
• Ethnicization of Conflict: The conflict has become increasingly ethnicized, with different groups aligning based on ethnicity rather than political beliefs.

6. Situation in Port Sudan and the Failed Democratic Transition

• Relative Safety: Naba reports from Port Sudan, a relatively safe place but not entirely immune to drone attacks.
• Means of Life: Port Sudan offers internet, power, and access to essential services, making it better than war-torn regions.
• Frustration: People's priorities have shifted from democratic change to basic needs like safety, food, and security.
• Conspiracy Theories: Some believe the 2018-2019 uprising was a planned event, leading to disillusionment.
• Hope for Democracy: Despite the setbacks, there is still hope for democracy, but it will be a longer process.

7. Grassroots Efforts and the Role of Civil Society

• Emergency Response Rooms: Hajush highlights the work of the Emergency Response Rooms, a community-led initiative providing humanitarian aid.
• Democratic Governance: These groups operate democratically, with neighborhood-level decision-making.
• Resilience: Despite the war, these groups continue to function, demonstrating the strength of Sudanese civil society.
• Mutual Aid: The concept of mutual aid, where communities help themselves, is crucial in the face of humanitarian crises.
• Example: The emergency response rooms managed to install solar panels to allow the system of Nala to work.

8. Foreign Interference and Weapon Supply

• Resources and Poor Governance: Hollude explains that Sudan's resources and poor governance create a recipe for conflict and foreign interference.
• Counterrevolutionary War: The current war is seen as a counterrevolutionary effort to push back against democratic will.
• Regional Interests: Different actors in the region support different belligerents to ensure their needs are met.
• Egypt: Supports the SAF due to concerns about Nile water access.
• UAE: Backs the RSF, citing an anti-Islamist foreign policy.
• Other Countries: Eritrea, Ethiopia, Chad, Central African Republic, Libya, and South Sudan have chosen sides, facilitating military strategies.
• Arab States: Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey also back the SAF, favoring Muslim Brotherhood regimes.
• Weapons Supply: Egypt, Qatar, Iran, Turkey, and Russia provide weapons to the SAF, while the UAE supplies the RSF, often using Chinese-made weapons.
• Stopping the War: Stopping the weapons flow and addressing predatory foreign policies are crucial for resolving the conflict.

9. RSF Support and Ethnicization of the Conflict

• Intentional Confusion: Naba notes that the RSF initially presented themselves as representing the revolution, but their actions have eroded support.
• Atrocities: Atrocities against civilians have diminished RSF support, although some still support them, particularly in Darfur.
• Ethnicization: Hollude emphasizes that the war is becoming increasingly ethnicized, with people aligning based on ethnicity rather than political beliefs.
• Lack of Choice: People in certain regions may have no option but to support the RSF due to the ethnicization of the conflict.

10. Autonomy and the Potential Split of Sudan

• Desire for Peace and Autonomy: People in the Nuba Mountains primarily want peace, freedom, autonomy, and equal rights.
• Shift in Sentiment: The alliance between the RSF and SPLM North has changed the dynamics, with less open opposition to the RSF.
• Focus on Ordinary People: The film aims to show how ordinary people experience the conflict, often caught between political interests and basic human needs.
• Fear of Split: Naba expresses fear that the country could be split into two parts, with the RSF controlling the west and the regular army controlling the east.
• Weakening the Country: Splitting Sudan would weaken the country, loot its resources, and control its political decisions.

11. Impact on Neighboring Countries and the Refugee Crisis

• Destabilization: Kyle notes that the conflict could destabilize neighboring countries like Chad, which are already strained.
• Refugee Movements: Millions have been displaced, with many crossing into neighboring countries, straining resources.
• Resource Allocation: The refugee crisis diverts resources from affected areas within Sudan.
• European Union Policies: The EU is externalizing its border, pushing it further away through policies and support in regions like Sudan.

12. Impact of Aid Cuts and the Importance of Local Organizations

• Major Hit: Aid cuts from the US and European countries are significantly impacting the humanitarian sector.
• Prioritizing Local Organizations: Donors should prioritize funding local organizations like the Emergency Response Rooms.
• Community-Based Solidarity: People are surviving primarily through local solidarity networks.
• Partnerships: Partnerships between international organizations and local communities are essential.

13. The Role of Gold in the Conflict

• Revenue Source: Gold has become a primary revenue source for both the SAF and RSF, used to finance the war.
• RSF Wealth: Access to gold mines has enabled the RSF to become extremely wealthy.
• Commercial Networks: The RSF has established commercial networks across the Sahel.
• Weapons Purchases: Most of the revenue from gold is used to buy weapons.
• Blood Gold: Sudan's gold should be labeled "blood gold" to raise awareness.
• UAE as Beneficiary: The UAE is the primary beneficiary of Sudan's gold, making significant profits.
• Smuggling: Gold is smuggled through Egypt, benefiting its foreign reserves.
• Trust Fund: Calls for the money generated from Sudan's gold to be put into a trust fund for humanitarian aid.

14. International Intervention and the Forgotten War

• Lack of Attention: KL notes that the conflict in Sudan is largely forgotten in Europe due to its distance and other pressing issues.
• Inward-Looking Europe: Europe is becoming more inward-looking and preoccupied with its own problems.
• Refugee Concerns: European interest is often driven by concerns about potential refugee flows.
• Disengagement: The US is also disengaging from the world, making it harder to find outlets for reporting on the crisis.
• Refugee Movement: Kyle notes that the EU is externalizing its border and pushing the border further and further away from from the actual land border of the EU through policies and support through throughout other regions and countries like Sudan.
• Ownership: Donor states need to take more accountability for the impact of their funding.

15. Potential Solutions and the Role of Europe

• Immediate Cessation of Hostilities: Naba emphasizes the need to immediately stop hostilities against civilians.
• Sudanese People's Decision: The decision to end the fighting lies with the Sudanese people.
• International Pressure: The international community can pressure regional and international players to stop fueling the war.
• Splitting the Country: The possibility of splitting the country into two authorities is a living reality.
• Global War: Hollude describes Sudan's war as a global war taking place in Sudan, with various actors vying for influence.
• Russia's Role: Russia supports both sides, seeking a naval base on the Red Sea and pursuing interests in the Sahel.
• China's Long-Term Strategy: China favors the state and plans to build its Belt and Road Initiative through Sudan.
• Lack of Consensus: The international community lacks a consensus that the war is a collective bad.
• Famine Declaration: A famine declaration could trigger protocols to surge aid into the country.
• Erosion of International Norms: International legal norms have been trampled on by powerful countries.
• Germany's Role: Hajj notes that Germany has played a role in negotiations and is a major funder.
• Solidarity: Solidarity and mutual aid are crucial, with regular people able to make a difference.
• Education: Educating oneself about the conflict and donating to support grassroots efforts are important.
• Political Decision: The famine is a political decision, and solidarity can help stop it.

16. Journalists' Role and the Future of Reporting

• Small Changes: Laura hopes that the film can make small changes in individuals' lives.
• Empathetic Level: KL emphasizes the importance of explaining the conflict on an empathetic level and providing additional information.
• Multipolar World: The conflict is a manifestation of a multipolar world, requiring active engagement and understanding.
• Empowering People: The goal is to empower people and find a way in the messy world.

17. Final Thoughts

• The discussion concludes with a call to action, urging people not to look away, get informed, and support efforts to end the conflict in Sudan.
• The importance of mutual aid and solidarity is emphasized, with specific organizations mentioned for donations.

Main Takeaways/Conclusion:

The discussion paints a grim picture of the ongoing conflict in Sudan, highlighting the complex interplay of internal and external factors. The humanitarian crisis is severe, with millions displaced and facing starvation. Foreign interference, particularly the supply of weapons and exploitation of resources like gold, exacerbates the conflict. While the situation seems dire, the panelists emphasize the importance of grassroots efforts, mutual aid, and international solidarity. The need for a global consensus to end the war and address the underlying issues is crucial for a peaceful future in Sudan.