Sudan’s Collapse: A Forgotten War in a Forgetful World
For more than two years, ideological conflict has devastated Sudan, with clashes escalating between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Meanwhile, U.S. efforts to ease tensions have been notably weak and ineffective.
What began as a power struggle within military factions in April 2023 has evolved into a full-scale civil war. The conflict has displaced millions and resulted in over 150,000 deaths. The United Nations describes Sudan’s situation as the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. Yet at a time when global attention is focused on Palestine, the people of Sudan remain neglected-nowhere more painfully than in the city of El fasher.
The RSF originated in 2013 from militias known as the Janjaweed. Under former dictator Omar al-Bashir’s regime, these militias launched brutal campaigns across Darfur accused of genocide and ethnic cleansing against non-Arab populations there. Following al-Bashir’s overthrow in 2019, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo-known as Hemetti-was appointed deputy commander under General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of Sudan’s military.
The Roots of Sudan’s crisis
A political agreement signed in 2022 aimed to integrate the RSF into the national army but quickly collapsed over disputes about command structure and authority limits. Within months, the fragile partnership between these two leaders broke down entirely; as then, chaos and disintegration have engulfed sudan.
The rival factions have waged battles for control over key cities and strategic regions. The RSF has sought complete dominance over western Sudan.In early June they seized territories along Libya’s and Egypt’s borders while consolidating power across Darfur. By late October, El Fasher, capital of north Darfur-and one of SAF’s last strongholds after months under siege-fell.
El Fasher, which onc held more than one million residents, was pivotal for government forces in Darfur. It’s fall now grants RSF near-total control across Darfur and parts of Kordofan-a devastating outcome for local populations subjected to relentless ethnic violence by RSF fighters targeting those who oppose their vision for Sudan.
Reports emerging from inside el Fasher are disturbing beyond measure. Verified footage shows armed men bearing RSF insignia committing atrocities throughout the city; credible UN sources confirm field executions by these militias.the World Health Association reported that El Fasher’s maternity hospital suffered its fourth attack this month alone-with over 460 patients killed alongside several medical staff-and many kidnapped presumably for execution or ransom.
These events no longer reflect mere “political conflict.” defenseless civilians are dying due to ideological objectives ruthlessly pursued through violence.
This pattern resembles earlier atrocities by RSF forces-such as, a large-scale massacre at Geneina in West Darfur during 2023 where up to 15,000 civilians (mostly non-Arabs) were slaughtered amid an ethnic cleansing campaign.
Currently famine grips parts of Darfur-including Zamzam refugee camp south of el Fasher-which once sheltered around half a million displaced persons.
The International Response to Crimes in Sudan
The international community’s condemnation remains predictable: delayed, ineffective statements without decisive intervention.
The UN Security Council condemned attacks on El Fasher warning urgently about “a high risk” that widespread crimes-including ethnic violence-will continue.
The UK government confirmed British-made arms had been found among forces operating within Sudan,
and U.S lawmakers called for labeling Rapid support Forces as a “foreign terrorist organization,” though such measures are unlikely to produce tangible results.
Mere designation as terrorists changes little; if Washington truly sought influence here-as a global power-it could assist aid delivery either directly or via local authorities but chooses not to do so.
Moreover,the Trump administration’s foreign policy approach proved largely symbolic rather than substantive-as seen similarly regarding Ukraine and Palestine crises alike.
A particular concern arises regarding Britain’s role: weapons produced there reportedly reached RSF hands used during these crimes.
Recent reports reveal British-made light weapon targeting systems plus armored vehicle engines were identified near fighting zones possibly transferred via UAE arms shipments supporting this faction.
Given these details
, London must reconsider arms trade policies with rights-violating partners like UAE prioritizing ethics above profit motives-it may even breach international humanitarian law given obligations preventing arms exports into internal conflicts.
Despite issuing statements condemning turmoil,
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper remains silent on Britain’s involvement supplying weaponry fueling violence inside Sudan.
An Expanding Famine Amid stalled Peace Talks
No decisive intervention materializes despite mounting catastrophe: today moast western regions fall under RSF control while army hardholds persist northeastward
Analysts warn repeated fragmentation looms looming – echoing south Sudan’s secession cost decades ago stripping vital oil resources-the second split would guarantee total political collapse compounded by human disaster;
As starvation spreads along blocked relief corridors millions remain trapped amidst battle lines
Peace negotiations have stalled entirely while international moves amount mostly symbolic failures;
What began as disputes concerning guerilla force integration now signals systematic state breakdown-all underscored by formal silence worldwide reflecting selective global conscience gauging empathy based less on tragedy scale but geopolitical interests;
Sustained Western expressions “deep concern” conceal enduring refusal toward effective measures indicating cosmopolitan ethical decay habituated toward human suffering;
(Today) as El Fasher bURNS AND MILLIONS FACE DEATH BY HUNGER,SUDAN’S CRISIS HAS BECOME A STAIN ON THE GLOBAL ORDER THAT ALLOWS SUCH WARS TO FADE INTO NEWS MARGINS AND COLLECTIVE MEMORY.[/P]
