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Indian Express
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Why Sudan remains trapped in prolonged civil war
— Samir Bhattacharya (From civil wars and insurgencies to ethnic tensions and resource-based disputes, Africa has long been a continent marked by conflicts, resulting in widespread instability and humanitarian crises. The region is also becoming a battleground for global power struggle. In the Conflicts in Africa series, our experts explore the root causes of major African conflicts and their impact on India's interests. They will also examine prospects for a peaceful future in the continent.) After weeks of fierce fighting, Sudan's army yesterday announced that it has pushed the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) out of the capital Khartoum. But the Northeast African nation continues to reel from the prolonged conflict that began in April 2023. Since its outbreak, the ongoing civil war in Sudan has evolved into what is widely regarded as the most severe displacement crisis in modern history. The escalating conflict between two rival military factions — the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the paramilitary RSF, under the command of General Muhammad Hamdan Dagalo — has thus far resulted in an estimated 62,000 deaths and the displacement of approximately 14 million individuals, with no clear end in sight. But how has the rivalry between the SAF and RSF shaped the course of the civil war? What are the possible pathways to peace in the war-torn African nation? Sudan's 'fight to the death' The origins of the current crisis in Sudan can be traced back to 2019, following the ousting of long-time dictator Omar al-Bashir. His rule lasted from 1989 to 2019 and was characterised by authoritarianism, widespread corruption, human rights violations, and economic mismanagement. As part of his strategy for 'coup-proofing' his regime, Bashir established powerful parallel security forces. Among these was an Arab militia known as the 'Janjaweed', which primarily recruited Baggara (cattle herders) Arabs from the Darfur and Kordofan regions. This militia, which later evolved into the RSF, also played a significant role in the Darfur conflict between 2003 and 2005, leading to the genocide of approximately 200,000 indigenous black African Muslims. Ironically, General Burhan's regular military forces and the RSF cooperated to oust Omar al-Bashir in 2019. After Bashir's removal, a fragile agreement was forged between civilians and the military to establish a transitional government with a civilian prime minister. However, the fragile coalition between the civilian and military factions quickly disintegrated. In October 2021, General Burhan orchestrated a coup, dissolving the transitional government and detaining civilian leaders, including Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok. Following a prolonged political deadlock after the coup, a framework agreement was eventually signed. A key provision of this transition agreement was the planned merger between the national army and the RSF. The recent violence is a direct consequence of disagreements regarding the integration of RSF paramilitaries into the Sudanese Army and the question of who should oversee the process. Since then, General Burhan, leader of the Sovereignty Council, has effectively served as Sudan's de facto president. As General Dagalo continues challenging him for power, it has become a 'fight to the death', an existential tussle for power and control over resources between two leaders. This deadly contest can also be seen as part of a broader historical pattern. Sudan's current conflict is not without historical precedent. Over the past seventy years, the country has experienced twenty attempted coups, ranking second only to Bolivia in the frequency of such events, reflecting a deeply entrenched pattern of political instability. In addition, Sudan has endured two protracted civil wars, the most recent of which culminated in 2011 with the secession of South Sudan, now recognised as Africa's newest sovereign state. The country's tumultuous past has laid the foundation for the current crisis, creating a vicious cycle of conflict and instability. Therefore, any efforts to establish lasting peace in Sudan must be based on a comprehensive understanding of the complex and interrelated historical, political, and societal factors that continue to shape the country's volatile environment. The underlying causes of the conflict are both multifaceted and deeply entrenched. Primary factors that have contributed to the outbreak of the current crisis include the pronounced politicisation of ethnic and regional identities, persistent challenges related to democratisation and governance, and the significant influence of external actors. While most violent conflicts have occurred during the post-colonial period, the colonial era played a decisive role in laying the foundations for many of these enduring issues. When Sudan gained independence from Britain and Egypt in 1956, it inherited more than just a new flag — it also inherited deep and dangerous divisions. Under colonial administration, policies of 'divide and rule' and indirect governance fostered significant regional and ethnic divisions, particularly between the predominantly Arab and Muslim North and the largely African, Christian, or animist South. Colonial authorities promoted the perception of Arab superiority — particularly among riverine Arab groups — over populations in regions such as Darfur and southern Sudan. This preferential treatment extended to the allocation of positions within the bureaucracy and military, where Arabs were disproportionately represented. These colonial-era policies institutionalised ethnic hierarchies and sowed the seeds of the identity-based tensions that continue to destabilise Sudan today. In the post-colonial period, the divisions entrenched during Sudan's colonial era were further intensified by political marginalisation, economic disparities, and the systematic exclusion of the southern population from meaningful participation in the central government. These identity-based cleavages significantly hindered the development of a cohesive and inclusive national identity. Over time, the failure to address these structural inequalities and grievances contributed directly to the secession of the southern region and the eventual establishment of the Republic of South Sudan. The evolution of regimes in post-colonial Sudan has been marked by mismanagement, corruption, authoritarian rule, and a pattern of neglect and confrontation. Successive governments have been marked by corruption, nepotism, exclusion, injustice, and the inequitable distribution of national resources. These systemic issues have not only worsened poverty and weakened the state but have also eroded social cohesion, thus exacerbating the conditions that fuel violent conflict. For much of the past seventy years, Sudan has been under the control of autocratic leaders who promoted Arab supremacist ideologies, often at the expense of marginalised ethnic groups such as the African tribes of Darfur and the people of South Sudan. This legacy of exclusion and inequality continues to shape the country's political landscape and contribute to its instability. Another indicator of Sudan's fragile state is its economic structure, which has long been marked by a heavy dependence on oil resources alongside widespread corruption. In 2011, the secession of South Sudan, which controlled over 75 per cent of the country's oil reserves, inflicted a significant blow to Sudan's economy. The loss of this vital resource deepened existing economic grievances and heightened discontent across the nation, contributing to the broader instability that continues to plague the country today. Sudan is strategically located at the crossroads of the Red Sea, the Sahel, and the Horn of Africa. The country is endowed with vast arable land and an array of abundant natural resources, including petroleum, natural gas, gold, silver, chromite, manganese, gypsum, mica, zinc, iron, lead, uranium, copper, kaolin, cobalt, granite, nickel, tin, and aluminium. Sudan's geographic position, coupled with its wealth of natural resources, makes it a significant area of interest for multiple countries. The ongoing crisis in Sudan is heavily influenced by the involvement of multiple external actors, each driven by its own political agenda and interests. Sudan shares borders with seven countries — Chad, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, Libya, and Egypt — and holds significant geopolitical importance. Therefore, different countries such as Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Russia, have sought to secure friendly governments in line with their strategic objectives. In doing so, they have contributed to the crisis by backing different factions and employing a range of tactics to shape the country's political landscape. Sudan's experiment with democracy has become a paradox, failing to establish good governance or bring stability to the country. At present, Sudan is grappling with severe shortages of food, water, medicine, and fuel, while more than half of the population — approximately 25.6 million people — are facing acute food insecurity, including 8.5 million of them experiencing emergency levels of deprivation. In the absence of a resolution to the crisis, hundreds of thousands more individuals are likely to be forced to flee in search of refuge and basic humanitarian assistance. The Sudanese Civil War is indeed a complex conflict with deep historical roots. While the situation remains dire, there are potential pathways to peace that need to be explored. However, addressing the root causes would require a fresh approach, one that involves all relevant stakeholders in meaningful negotiations and commits to long-term economic and political reforms. In these negotiations, local peace priorities must take precedence over the geopolitical interests of foreign powers. Above all, the peaceful restoration of democratic governance in Sudan must be prioritised within the national and regional security frameworks. Post Read Questions Since its outbreak in April 2023, the ongoing civil war in Sudan has evolved into what is widely regarded as the most severe displacement crisis in modern history. Evaluate. Sudan's current conflict is not without historical precedent. How does the legacy of colonial rule continue to influence Sudan's internal conflicts today? When Sudan gained independence from Britain and Egypt in 1956, it inherited more than just a new flag — it also inherited deep and dangerous divisions. Comment. Is the secession of South Sudan an example of conflict resolution or a failure to manage diversity within Sudan? What role have regional and international actors played in sustaining or resolving the conflict? (Samir Bhattacharya is an Associate Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation.) Read other articles from the series Conflicts in Africa Conflicts in Africa | The Sahel crisis and implications for India Conflicts in Africa | India's growing role in Africa's development Conflicts in Africa | Rising tensions in the Great Lakes Region Conflicts in Africa | Instability in Great Lakes region and implications for India Conflicts in Africa | Sahel's strategic drift towards Russia Share your thoughts and ideas on UPSC Special articles with Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X.
See - Sada Elbalad
16-04-2025
- See - Sada Elbalad
UNESCO Convene Workshop to Combat Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Property Amid
Mohamed Mandour As illicit trafficking of cultural property continues to escalate be exacerbated in regions affected by conflict and instability, UNESCO—together with the Egyptian authorities—will host an high-level Interregional Capacity-Building Workshop on the Fight Against Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Property from 16 to 18 April 2025 at Cairo. Supported by the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund (HEF) , the workshop aims to equip law enforcement agencies, judicial authorities, and cultural professionals from across the Arab States and Northeast African regions with the tools, knowledge on the existing, tools, measures and international legal frameworks necessary available to prevent the theft, looting, illegal trade, and destruction of cultural heritage in times of crisis. This technical workshop training, organized by UNESCO, organized by UNESCO Regional Office in Cairo and UNESCO HQ in Paris, will bring together over 80 participants from 10 countries—Central African Republic, Egypt, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, South Sudan, Sudan, and the State of Palestine—in addition to leading key UNESCO experts partners in this field - such asfrom INTERPOL, UNIDROIT, UNODC and, ICOM. The organizers gratefully acknowledge the support and commitment of the Egyptian authorities in hosting this meeting in Cairo. Opening remarks will be delivered by Dr. Nuria Sanz, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for Egypt and Sudan , alongside with Mrs. Krista Pikkat, Secretary of the 1970 Convention, Director for Culture and Emergencies at UNESCO, and representatives from the Egyptian authorities. The workshop will begin with a comprehensive overview by Ms. Krista Pikkat, Secretary of the 1970 Convention, Director for Culture and Emergencies at UNESCO, of the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property, the key legal instrument in the fight against the illicit trafficking of cultural property, as well as its associated mechanisms and the tools developed by the Organization in this field . and its complementarity with the 1995 UNIDROIT Convention, presented by Mrs. Marina Schneider, Principal Legal Officer and Treaties Depositary at UNIDROIT. Participants will delve into national and regional challenges in implementing these conventionstheir legal frameworks, with a special session highlighting Egypt's leading efforts in port control and the repatriation of antiquities. Case studies will also explore special investigation techniques, the use of INTERPOL's ID-ART application, and the importance of community-based and youth-led initiatives in preventing heritage crimeto fight against this scourge. A key feature of the workshop is the focus on Sudan and the State of Palestine. , whose rich invaluable cultural legacies remain especially vulnerable to trafficking due to ongoing conflicts and geopolitical instability. Parallel sessions will assess legal and operational challenges, explore specificities of movable heritage, and propose action-oriented solutions to safeguard at-risk cultural assets. Over the three days, the workshop will offer a mix ofcombine interactive dialogues, practical exercises, and scenario-based training to reinforce participants' operational capacities. In the final session, participants will work in sub-groups to draft concrete protocols and define next-step priorities for improving regional coordination and response mechanisms. By strengthening capacities and fostering cross-border cooperation, this initiative advances the goals of the 1970 Convention, and contributes to its implementation and UNESCO's broader mission of protecting and safeguarding cultural diversity and human historyheritage in all its forms around the world. The organizers gratefully acknowledge the support and commitment of the Egyptian authorities in hosting this meeting in Cairo. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia Lifestyle Pistachio and Raspberry Cheesecake Domes Recipe News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Videos & Features Bouchra Dahlab Crowned Miss Arab World 2025 .. 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Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Foreign ministers attend conference in London to try to halt Sudan civil war
April 15 (UPI) -- An international summit to try to revive peace talks in war-torn Sudan opened in London on Tuesday, two years to the day since fighting erupted in the Northeast African country between forces of the military government and the Rapid Support Forces, a rival military faction. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said he wanted to use the conference, co-hosted by the African Union, France and Germany and attended by 20 foreign ministers as well as major donors and multilateral bodies from around the world, to step up efforts to protect civilians and work toward ending a conflict responsible for one of the worst ever humanitarian crises. The United Nations and non-governmental organizations said the situation was worsening for civilians who have been largely left to fend for themselves by an international community distracted by crises elsewhere in the world with deadly attacks on refugee camps, the latest atrocity to befall the population. Tens of thousands are reported to have been killed since the civil war broke out in April 2023 amid violations of international humanitarian law on a "massive scale," said Daniel O'Malley, the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross delegation in Sudan. "All of the civilian population, irrespective of where they are in the country, have basically been trapped between one, two or more parties. And they have been bearing the brunt," he said. Lammy said with more than 30 million people in desperate need of aid, at least 12 million people displaced, more than 12 million women and girls at risk of gender-based violence and famine spreading throughout the country, urgent action was needed to figure out how to improve humanitarian access and find a long-term political solution. "Two years is far too long -- the brutal war in Sudan has devastated the lives of millions -- and yet much of the world continues to look away. We need to act now to stop the crisis from becoming an all-out catastrophe, ensuring aid gets to those who need it the most." Saying he had witnessed first-hand the warring sides' "appalling disregard for the civilian population," he said the summit would facilitate the international community in establishing a pathway to halt the suffering. "Many have given up on Sudan -- that is wrong -- it's morally wrong when we see so many civilians beheaded, infants as young as 1 subjected to sexual violence, more people facing famine than anywhere else in the world. We simply cannot look away," Lammy said as he opened the conference. African Union envoy Bankole Adeoye called for an "immediate, unconditional cessation of hostilities," warning there was no military solution to the conflict. He said following a cease-fire there had to be "all-inclusive" negotiations to achieve a permanent peace -- a dig at the fact neither of the warring parties were invited to London. "The AU will not allow a Balkanization or partition of Sudan," he said. The U.N. said Tuesday that than 400 people fleeing the fighting were reported killed at the weekend after RSF troops unleashed ferocious attacks using ground and air forces against refugee camps around the city of El-Fasher in the country's western Darfur region. El-Fasher is the last remaining regional capital still controlled by the Armed Forces of Sudan, the Sudanese army. Yale School of Public Health's Humanitarian Research Lab said in a report Monday that it had a "high degree of confidence," that RSF had taken control of Zamzam Refugee Camp where an estimated 500,000 people were sheltering as of Sunday, razing the camp in the process. It said its analysis of satellite imagery and thermal data showed "widespread thermal scarring to 1.183 square kilometers in the camp, including at the camp market, a kitchen operated by an international aid organization, the Sudanese American Physicians Association, and a compound with temporary structures consistent with Internally Displaced Persons." There has been no response from the RSF. Medecins sans Frontieres said in a news release that 20,000 people had fled southwest to Tawila, which was overwhelmed, and that it was treating people with gunshot injuries and that children were dying of disease and thirst en route or shortly after arriving. The BBC said people fleeing the camp had told of being attacked by armed looters in the camp and on the journey to Tawila.
Al Etihad
08-04-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
UAE stands by Sudan: A legacy of nearly 50 years of bilateral relations
9 Apr 2025 01:26 KIRSTIN BERNABE (ABU DHABI)While the UAE is open to the world, Sudan is among the countries that have always had a special place in the Emirates. With nearly 50 years of bilateral relations, the two nations share a rich history of cooperation, spanning economic affairs and cultural exchange. In the face of the ongoing crisis in Sudan, the UAE has remained steadfast in its support, consistently providing humanitarian aid - reaching $3.5 billion and counting - and firmly calling for an end to a war that has ravaged homes, destroyed livelihoods, and claimed innocent and again, the UAE has assured the Sudanese people of its unwavering support - a pledge anchored on ties marked by "sincere national feelings", as described by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, during a Sudanese festival held in Dubai in sincerity dates back to the very beginning of bilateral relations. Sudan was one of the first countries with which the UAE established diplomatic ties following its formation in December 1971. Less than three months after the Union, on February 20, 1972, the UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, made his first official visit to Sudan, touring every state in the Northeast African nation. As trade and investments flowed in, relations deepened, extending into sports, culture, and the arts. Thousands of Sudanese nationals made the UAE their second home, becoming an integral part of society - "a testament to the deep-rooted relations between our two countries", as the UAE stated in a June 2024 message to the UN Security expat community flourished and so did the cultural exchange, with events like art festivals taking place throughout the UAE. In 2024, more than 4,000 people turned up for a festival held in Dubai to celebrate Sudanese culture and event - the 'Sudan in the Heart of the UAE' fest in May 2024 - "represented important human communication between Sudan and the UAE, and a strong sense of pride in the close fraternal relations that bind the two beloved countries," as Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak stated in his address to the crowd. "The strong relationship between the UAE and Sudan is, in essence, a deep-rooted and renewed relationship, a relationship based on the ideal values and common principles that we are proud of together, which include: the values of love for the homeland, pride in the Arab and Islamic nation, as well as the values of mutual respect and the continuous and relentless pursuit of goodness, peace and security for both countries," he success of the festival, he added, reflected "a strong bond that embodies the sincere national feelings that we feel together, uniting us and making us work together … for the advancement of the Arab nation as a whole".The devastating impact of the current crisis in Sudan goes beyond its borders - it's strongly felt in the large community of Sudanese expats in the Emirates, the UAE said in its UN statement in June. "The Sudanese people deserve justice and peace; they need an immediate ceasefire, the unhindered flow of humanitarian aid, and a credible political process," it said.
