Sudan is grappling with a severe famine as peace negotiations falter yet again. The crisis, which has been escalating for months, underscores a dire humanitarian catastrophe exacerbated by ongoing conflict and political instability. With over 12 million displaced and famine conditions declared in Darfur, the international community faces an urgent challenge in delivering aid and negotiating peace.
Humanitarian Crisis
The humanitarian situation in Sudan is grim. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) system recently reported famine conditions in parts of Darfur, a region already struggling with decades of conflict and economic mismanagement. The UN estimates that more than half of Sudan’s 45 million people require immediate relief, with predictions that up to 2.5 million could die from hunger by the end of the year.
The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), commanded by Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagolo (“Hemedti”), has exacerbated the crisis. The war, which erupted in April of the previous year, has wreaked havoc across the country, leading to widespread destruction and displacement.
Aid Efforts and Obstacles
In a small but hopeful development, the SAF recently allowed 15 UN aid trucks to cross from Chad into Sudan to provide food relief. This gesture, while crucial, represents only a fraction of the assistance needed. The UN had initially planned for 131 trucks, but bureaucratic hurdles and the SAF’s insistence on a new inspection regime have limited the delivery.
The logistical challenges are significant. The need for thousands of trucks of food weekly contrasts sharply with the current aid flow. Furthermore, the conflict has severely damaged infrastructure, complicating supply routes from the nearest ports and neighboring countries.
Starvation as a Weapon
The famine’s roots are deeply intertwined with the conflict. The SAF’s strategy of cutting off supplies to rebel-held areas is intended to weaken the RSF’s support base, but it has devastating consequences for civilians. Areas like Darfur, and specifically the city of el-Fasher, are suffering acute shortages due to the ongoing siege-like conditions imposed by the SAF.
Historical precedents show that such tactics have been used before, with the SAF’s previous experiences in southern Sudan during the civil war serving as a stark reminder of the human cost of war. The SAF’s approach reflects a grim legacy of using starvation as a tool of warfare, with disastrous effects on the civilian population.
Diplomatic Stalemate
Efforts to negotiate peace have so far been unsuccessful. Recent peace talks in Geneva, convened by the US and Saudi Arabia, yielded minimal progress. US Special Envoy Tom Perriello had hoped for a breakthrough with face-to-face meetings between the warring generals, but SAF head Gen al-Burhan refused to participate, citing conditions such as the RSF’s withdrawal from civilian areas.
The talks have highlighted the complex geopolitical dynamics at play. The rivalry between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over influence in the region has further complicated peace efforts. While the UAE is believed to support the RSF, Saudi Arabia leans towards the SAF. This regional competition has stalled meaningful negotiations, with both countries acting as observers rather than active mediators.
Looking Forward
As the conflict rages on and famine deepens, the international community’s response is crucial. The immediate focus must be on scaling up aid and ensuring that humanitarian corridors are protected and expanded. Longer-term, a resolution to the conflict requires a genuine commitment from all parties involved, including their regional backers, to engage in meaningful dialogue and ceasefire agreements.
The people of Sudan, enduring the brunt of this crisis, are hoping for a swift resolution. However, with current indicators showing little progress, the path to peace remains fraught with obstacles. The international community must remain vigilant and proactive to address this unfolding tragedy and support Sudan in its time of need.
