The Pan-African Unity Dialogue (PAUD) and The Institute of the Black World 21st Century (IBW21) unequivocally condemn the ongoing violence and humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Sudan. Since April 2023, the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has plunged the nation into one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. Yet, it has received only a fraction of the global attention it deserves.
The roots of this conflict run deep, stemming from decades of political instability, violence, and ethnic strife. Sudan’s recent history is marred by the genocide in Darfur, the ousting of long-standing dictator Omar al-Bashir, and a failed democratic transition that was derailed by the military leading to the open war between the SAF and RSF with innocent civilians paying the price in blood and tears.
The joint coup against the Transitional Sovereign Council that comprised civilians and the military by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan of the SAF and Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, head of the RSF, in 2021 marked the beginning of the current crisis, which erupted into full-scale war in April 2023.
In the 13 months since the outbreak of war, the conflict has claimed the lives of tens of thousands and displaced over 10 million people. The United Nations reports that more than half of Sudan’s 48 million people are now facing acute hunger, with millions on the brink of famine. The situation is dire, with entire regions cut off from humanitarian aid and rampant atrocities, including ethnic cleansing and mass rapes, perpetrated by the RSF and its allied militias.
Despite the scale of this tragedy, the international response has been grossly inadequate. While other global crises have garnered widespread attention and resources, Sudan’s plight has been largely ignored, including by the African Union (AU). There has been more media coverage of the contest to see who gets to replace Moussa Faki Mahamat as Chairperson of the AU Commission than about the Sudanese calamity. This disparity in response highlights the persistent global apathy toward Black nations and their suffering. PAUD strongly condemns this dereliction and calls for a more equitable distribution of international attention and resources to address the crisis in Sudan. The AU must not fail the African people, and must live up to its vision of the Common African Defense and Security Policy (CADSP) to “advance peace and security by addressing domestic and foreign threats.”
The ongoing conflict has devastating implications not only for Sudan but for the entire region. Sudan occupies a strategic position in Africa, with significant resources, including vast gold reserves, agricultural potential, and control over crucial shipping routes along the Red Sea. The collapse of Sudan into a failed state would have catastrophic consequences for regional stability and could lead to further widespread conflict and displacement. It could also lead to escalation of conflict in South Sudan and in Ethiopia, both neighboring countries.
PAUD demands that the international community, particularly the United States and its allies, redouble their efforts with immediate and decisive action to end the violence in Sudan in consultation, and with full support of and coordination with the AU. We also urge members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) to push the Biden administration to take a more robust position on the Sudan crisis. This includes enforcing existing arms embargoes, holding those responsible for war crimes accountable, and ensuring unhindered access to humanitarian aid. Furthermore, we call on all regional powers involved in the conflict, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Russia, and Ukraine to cease their support for the warring factions and contribute to peaceful negotiations. “We will continue to support credible initiatives to resolve the conflict in Sudan and address the underlying issues that have led to this devastating situation. We reiterate that there is no military solution to the crisis in Sudan; only through dialogue and cooperation can lasting peace be achieved,” said Dr. Ron Daniels, Convener of (PAUD) and President of IBW21.
The people of Sudan have suffered enough. The international community must not allow this conflict to escalate further. We urge global leaders and the African Union (AU) to prioritize Sudan in their foreign policy agendas and to work tirelessly to broker a lasting peace in the region.
PAUD stands in solidarity with the Sudanese people and reaffirms its commitment to advocating for peace, justice, and human dignity across the African continent.
The Pan-African Unity Dialogue and the Institute of the Black World 21st Century have always been firm friends of the African people. We have consistently condemned armed conflicts, human rights abuses, and the erosion of democracy on the continent. “PAUD demands for an urgent and robust international response to the conflict in Sudan. The world cannot afford to turn a blind eye to the suffering of millions of Sudanese people. It is time for the global community to act decisively to bring an end to this tragic conflict and to ensure that the people of Sudan can rebuild their lives in peace and security,” said Milton Allimadi, Chair of PAUD’s Crisis in Africa Task Force.
