Largely because U.S. imperialism’s role in Africa is not as obvious as it is in supporting its key allies like Israel, there has been much less notice and protest about the horrific war and its devastating human toll in Sudan.
Given Sudan’s strategic location and resources, and the history of neo-colonialism, it’s certain that the U.S. government and power structure is deeply involved in maneuvering to resolve the internal war in a favorable way for U.S. control. As do the mercenaries supplied by Russia and Ukraine, the Iranian government for supplying weapons, and undoubtedly China, the U.S. has blood on its hands.
Carol Dudek has gathered reports on the impending famine, displacement of over 9 million people, total destruction of cities and the healthcare system.
16,000 people have been killed in Sudan by the fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces. The war encompasses 80% of the country, and passed the one-year mark in April. Negotiations repeatedly fail, although the African Union says there is no viable and sustainable military solution. Sudanese Armed Forces retains advanced drones from the Islamic Republic of Iran with tanks, artillery and helicopters supplied by Turkey. Ukrainian special forces are actively supporting the SAF.
The RSF militia, backed by Russian Wagner Group, receives substantial military support from the UAE via Chad and the Central African Republic. Both warring parties are accused of committing crimes against humanity. Sudan has been in transition since the overthrow of al-Bashir and subsequent military coup, as civilian forces tried to establish a democratic government.
Half of Sudan’s population, 26 million people, face high levels of acute food insecurity. “SAF and the RSF are using food as a weapon and starving civilians,” UN HRC. Clingendael Inst estimates 2.5 million people could die from hunger by the end of September, with Darfur and Kordofan the hardest hit. 755,000 people face catastrophic conditions in Greater Darfur, south and north Kordofan, Blue Nile, Al Jazira and Khartoum. Food & Agriculture Org, Children’s Fund and World Food Programme warn the catastrophe is “on a scale not seen since the Darfur crisis in the early 2000s.”
Local Emergency Room efforts to respond have been hindered by unprecedented violence and targeted attacks, … dozens of activists and local volunteers have been arrested, threatened and prosecuted. Conflict has displaced farmers in agricultural areas, raising fears for the next harvest. Al Taghyeer, Al Arabiya.
Nearly 13 million people have been forced from their homes and displaced internally, and externally to neighboring Egypt, Chad. 55% are children under 18, and one quarter are under 5. Refugees are attacked, and expelled by host countries. Hundreds of thousands of civilians from the Masalit tribe of Darfur saw their families murdered and community expelled to Chad. The New Arab, Dabanga, Agence France Presse, Al Mayadeen
The Red Crescent Society reported 4,000 women have been victims of violent sex crimes, with over 170 cases of women being taken as sex slaves in Khartoum. There is an urgent need for humanitarian aid to save lives, alleviate suffering and preserve human dignity. This includes food, water, feminine hygiene supplies and access to sexual and reproductive health care, including emergency services. Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa Network.
70-80% of hospitals and medical facilities no longer operate due to bombing, occupation, lack of supplies, water and electricity outages and a shortage of personnel. 90% of media institutions closed because of the fighting and repression. Targeted murders of journalists have plunged Sudan into a media blackout, with dozens of human rights violations against press workers. Dabanga
The atrocities committed by both the SAF and RSF encompass acts classify as crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide. Yet the international community including the UN, EU and AU is unable to broker a truce. This war is orchestrated to suppress the revolution and originated from the coup aimed at defeating the Sudanese Revolution. Liberation, Morning Star, Al Arabiya