The Weekend Intelligence: The war the world ignores
Aug 24, 2024
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Tom Gardner, an Africa correspondent, dives deep into the overlooked conflict and humanitarian crisis in Sudan. He highlights the staggering impact on over 25 million people facing starvation and displacement. Gardner discusses Sudan's fraught history of violence, including personal stories of activists challenging oppressive regimes. He underscores the international community's alarming indifference to genocide, stressing the need for accountability as the nation grapples with monumental changes and the fight for democracy amidst chaos.
Sudan's current humanitarian crisis, marked by over 25 million starving and widespread violence, remains largely overlooked by the international community.
The historical roots of Sudan's conflict, rooted in colonialism and a legacy of civil wars, exacerbate ongoing ethnic tensions and violence.
The rise of militant groups like the Rapid Support Forces has intensified brutality and instability, complicating the path toward peace and resolution.
Deep dives
The Overlooked Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan
Sudan is currently experiencing one of the largest and most devastating humanitarian crises in the world, often overshadowed by other conflicts such as those in Gaza and Ukraine. An estimated 150,000 people have lost their lives, and one-fifth of the population has been displaced from their homes due to relentless violence. Rape and kidnappings are used as weapons of war, while medical facilities and humanitarian organizations are being attacked or withdrawing due to safety concerns. The situation has escalated to the point where millions are on the brink of starvation, highlighting Sudan as a 'forgotten war' despite its significant scale and severity.
Historical Context of Sudan's Conflict
Understanding the current conflict in Sudan requires examining its historical roots, which include a legacy of colonialism and a series of civil wars dating back to the country's independence in 1956. Ethnic divisions were exacerbated by the government’s policies, leading to violence particularly in regions like Darfur and the South. The signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005 initially ignited hope for peace, but this process overlooked ongoing tensions, particularly in Darfur, which spiraled into a separate insurgency. The multi-layered historical context reveals a complex tapestry of power struggles and ethnic tensions fueling the current violence.
The Role of Notorious Militias and Military Leaders
The conflict in Sudan has seen the rise of militant groups like the Janjaweed, which were formed and supported by the government to counter rebel groups in Darfur. Over the years, these militias evolved into more organized forces, known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which have been implicated in widespread atrocities including ethnic cleansing. General Omar al-Bashir and his successor military leaders, including Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Hemiti, have orchestrated campaigns of violence against civilian populations to retain power. These leaders have leveraged the militias to carry out policies of repression, resulting in a cycle of oppression that further complicates the humanitarian crisis.
Failed International Response and Accountability
The international community has struggled to address the complexities of the Sudanese crisis, often failing to respond adequately to human rights abuses and calls for accountability. While the International Criminal Court (ICC) indicted Omar al-Bashir for war crimes, the lack of enforcement mechanisms allowed him to evade arrest, and his regime continued unchecked brutality. Similarly, even after the 2018 protests that ousted al-Bashir, the subsequent military coup went largely unchallenged by global powers, resulting in a return to repressive governance. The muted global response to the ongoing genocide and humanitarian nightmare reflects a significant failure in international efforts to prevent atrocities.
The Escalation of Violence and Geopolitical Implications
The struggle for power between the RSF and Sudan's regular army has erupted into open conflict, leading to widespread violence and instability across the country. During this power struggle, millions of civilians have been caught in the crossfire, resulting in massive displacement and humanitarian suffering. The conflict has drawn in regional powers, contributing to a new landscape of proxy wars where foreign interests exacerbate internal divisions. As one of the world's worst humanitarian crises unfolds, the complexity of the conflict highlights the urgent need for a political solution that addresses both local grievances and international influences.
In this episode of The Weekend Intelligence, Africa correspondent Tom Gardner tells the story of 21st century Sudan. A story bookended by war. Darfur, a state which captured the world’s attention in the early 2000s has once again become an epicentre of violence, disease and famine. Over 25 million people are starving. A fifth of the population has been forced to flee their homes. This latest war is one of unprecedented proportions and yet it is an ignored war, deprived of attention by a world which once made a promise never to let such horrors happen again.