The current civil war erupted in April of , and has its roots in decades of armed conflict between rivalling factions in Sudan. However, the ensuing attempts to transition to a democratic government were unsuccessful, and created a power struggle between the SAF and the RSF which has resulted in direct military conflict between the two parties The Guardian. While violence initially broke out in Khartoum and the nearby city of Omdurman, it has since spread to the regions of Port Sudan and Darfur.
Besides this, over 1. The widespread violence in Sudan has made it nearly impossible for individuals to receive adequate medical care, and cholera has proliferated, with there having been around 10 suspected cases as of February OCHA. This issue will only contribute to the rampant food insecurity which is already present in Sudan. This heartbreaking information is even more striking when considering the dearth of Western media attention which has been focused on Sudan in the past year.
From the above, it is clear that the Sudanese people are in desperate need of humanitarian aid, a need which cannot be adequately responded to in the absence of a ceasefire. According to Alex de Waal, executive director of the World Peace Foundation, this outcome will necessitate the mediation of international groups, as well as neighbouring countries, and regional cooperation. It seems clear that mitigating the suffering of the Sudanese civilian ought to be the greatest concern in considering how to handle the current conflict in that country, and that the desire for increased power in the form of control over land or natural ressources is a serious impediment to peace in Sudan and the surrounding area.
We owe it to the people of Sudan to value their safety over our discomfort, and to engage with humanitarian and news reports which emerge from within the current crisis.
Al Jazeera. Grandi, F. Sudan emergency. Guardian News and Media. The Guardian. Ioanes, E. Saeed, S. Options for a transitional government in war-torn Sudan. Sudan Tribune. Sudan maps. Sudan Situation Report.
