Arab League permanent members convened in Cairo, Egypt, on May 1st for an emergency meeting to discuss the fighting in Sudan. Egypt’s deputy permanent representative proposed a draft resolution calling for an immediate and comprehensive cessation of conflict and for all parties involved to prioritize the Sudanese people’s well-being and stop the bloodshed.
The resolution also proposed a return to political dialogue as a way to resolve the crisis comprehensively. According to official reports, the conflict has claimed the lives of at least 528 people, with almost 4,600 people sustaining injuries. Despite the formal extension of a truce, fierce fighting continues between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary group RSF. As a result, some 50,000 people have fled, seeking refuge in neighbouring countries such as Egypt, the Central African Republic, and Chad.
The fighting in Sudan has resulted in a humanitarian crisis, with many people unable to access basic necessities such as food, water, and medical care. The situation is made worse by the exponential rise in transportation costs out of the worst-hit areas. Top UN humanitarian official Martin Griffiths has expressed his concern about the situation, calling for immediate action to alleviate the suffering of the Sudanese people.
The situation in Sudan has been deteriorating for some time, with escalating violence and political instability. The conflict began in 2019, with protesters calling for the ousting of then-president Omar al-Bashir. The military eventually ousted al-Bashir, but the protests continued, with the opposition calling for a transitional government to be established. In August 2019, a power-sharing agreement was reached between the military and civilian leaders, but the situation has remained unstable.
The current conflict began in October 2020 when Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok fired the governor of the Darfur region, prompting protests from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The RSF is accused of carrying out atrocities against civilians in the Darfur region, with many describing the conflict as a continuation of the Darfur conflict, which began in 2003. The situation in Sudan is complex, with multiple actors involved in the conflict. The RSF, which is aligned with the military, has been accused of carrying out atrocities against civilians.
The Sudanese Professionals Association, an opposition group, has called for the RSF to be disbanded. The situation has been further complicated by the involvement of foreign actors, with both Egypt and Ethiopia accused of supporting different sides in the conflict. The fighting in Sudan is a cause for concern for the international community, with many calling for immediate action to end the violence and alleviate the suffering of the Sudanese people.
The proposed draft resolution by the Arab League permanent members is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to address the underlying causes of the conflict and ensure a lasting peace. The situation in Sudan is a humanitarian crisis that requires immediate attention from the international community. The suffering of the Sudanese people must be alleviated, and all parties involved in the conflict must prioritize the well-being of the Sudanese people above their own interests.
Mboma Mboma