Why Sudan is often overlooked by media and the international community | DW News

Key Concepts:

• Sudan Civil War: A conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
• Humanitarian Crisis: Severe food shortages, displacement, and lack of access to healthcare.
• External Backers: Countries providing support to the warring parties, including the UAE, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.
• Geopolitical Interests: Strategic location and resource control driving international involvement.
• Community Kitchens: Volunteer-run initiatives providing food to those in need.
• Al Faser: A city experiencing intense fighting and a dire humanitarian situation.
• Weapons Embargo: Restrictions on arms entering Darfur, often violated.
• International Court of Justice (ICJ): The UN's highest court, currently involved in a case between Sudan and the UAE.

1. Unfolding of the Conflict:

• 2018 Protests: Mass protests erupted due to government subsidy cuts and anger over corruption.
• 2019 Military Coup: The military overthrew President Omar al-Bashir.
• Power-Sharing Deal: An agreement between the military and civil society installed Prime Minister Abdalah Hamdok.
• 2021 Military Seizure: The military seized power again, disrupting the transition to democracy.
• April 2023 Escalation: A power struggle between the SAF and RSF escalated into full-blown conflict.

2. Humanitarian Crisis:

• Scale of the Crisis: Described as the world's worst humanitarian crisis by the UN.
• Casualties and Displacement: Estimates of deaths range from 40,000 to 150,000 since April 2023. Approximately 9 million people are displaced within Sudan, and over 3 million have fled to neighboring countries.
• Funding Shortfall: The regional refugee response plan is less than 10% funded.
• Impact on Services: Community kitchens, which once provided meals, have been forced to shut down due to lack of funding (80% closure rate). The healthcare system is decimated, with 80-90% of clinics and hospitals impacted.
• Attacks on Aid Workers: Nine aid workers were killed in Al Faser recently.
• Health Risks: Rampant cholera, famine, malnutrition, and sexual violence.
• Lack of Safety: Indiscriminate bombings in marketplaces have resulted in mass casualties.

3. Warring Parties and Their Interests:

• SAF vs. RSF: The conflict is primarily between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by General Abdel Fata al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), headed by Muhammad Hamdan Dagalo.
• Control Areas: The SAF controls most of Sudan's east and north, while the RSF is dominant in the west.
• Accusations of Human Rights Abuses: Both sides have been accused of human rights abuses.
• Economic and Business Interests: The conflict is influenced by economic interests of national and international actors.
• External Backing: International backers are accused of arming the conflict parties.

4. International Involvement and Geopolitics:

• UAE Support for RSF: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is accused of supporting and supplying the RSF with weapons, violating the weapons embargo over Darfur.
• Other Backers: Other countries are supporting both sides of the war.
• Strategic Location: Sudan's strategic location along the Red Sea and its connection to the Sahel region make it a target for international players seeking influence and resource control.
• Gold Smuggling: The UAE had a pre-war business deal with the RSF to smuggle Sudanese gold at cheap prices, funding the RSF's activities.
• Conference in London: An aid conference in London aims to address the crisis, but concerns are raised about the representation of Sudanese people and the presence of countries backing the warring parties.

5. Perspectives and Analysis:

• Dalia Abdel (Political Commentator): Expresses frustration with empty statements and lack of decisive action to end the war. Highlights the targeting of women and children by the RSF, driven by ethnic and racial motives. Criticizes the invitation of the UAE to conferences despite their support for the RSF.
• Albashir Idris (Human Rights Activist): Believes the conflict started as a coup attempt by the RSF. Emphasizes the role of external backers in prolonging the war for their own profit and influence. Accuses the RSF of disproportionate violence and a campaign of terror. Notes the collapse of the international order and the influence of money in geopolitics.

6. Key Quotes:

• Dalia Abdel: "It's the largest and it's the worst humanitarian crisis currently in the world and very little is done to address it."
• Dalia Abdel: "This is a war on civilians because we are the ones who have paid the price for this war."
• Albashir Idris: "The way this war is going it seems that the international backers do not want to stop this war as it they seek to profitee from the looting and the pillaging."

7. Technical Terms and Concepts:

• SAF (Sudanese Armed Forces): The national army of Sudan.
• RSF (Rapid Support Forces): A paramilitary group involved in the conflict.
• Weapons Embargo: A ban on the sale or transfer of weapons to a specific country or region.
• Genocidal Intent: The intention to destroy a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group.
• ICC (International Criminal Court): A court that investigates and tries individuals charged with the gravest crimes of concern to the international community: genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression.
• ICJ (International Court of Justice): The principal judicial organ of the United Nations.

8. Data and Statistics:

• 40,000 to 150,000 estimated deaths since April 2023.
• 9 million people displaced within Sudan.
• Over 3 million refugees in neighboring countries.
• Less than 10% funding for the regional refugee response plan.
• 80% of community kitchens forced to shut down.
• 80-90% of clinics and hospitals impacted.
• Over 400,000 displaced and refugees have been forced to flee in the zeum camp in Al Faser.

9. Logical Connections:

The video connects the historical context of political instability in Sudan to the current conflict. It highlights the role of external actors in fueling the war and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. The perspectives of Dalia Abdel and Albashir Idris provide insights into the motivations and consequences of the conflict, as well as the challenges in finding a resolution.

10. Synthesis/Conclusion:

The Sudanese civil war represents a complex and devastating humanitarian crisis driven by a power struggle between military factions and fueled by external interests. The lack of funding, attacks on aid workers, and widespread violence have created a dire situation for Sudanese civilians. International efforts to resolve the conflict are hampered by the involvement of countries backing the warring parties and a lack of representation for the Sudanese people. The conflict is not merely a power struggle but is significantly influenced by economic and business interests of national and international actors.