This week the US House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa held a critical hearing regarding a long standing crisis with the title “ A Dire Crisis in Sudan: A Global Call to Action”. The subject matter is indeed timely, The situation in Sudan has gotten worse however the situation has been overshadowed by other crisis spots.
The current situation on the ground doesn’t present any opportunities for optimism. In recent weeks the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have regained control over the capital of Khartoum. However there is now a Cholera epidemic in the early phases and could ravage the region if left untreated.
In a surprise move the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) the main opposition group attacked the headquarters of their rivals in Port Sudan. This offensive which lasted for a week inflict some damage to infrastructure and resulted in few casualties.
During his opening remarks Chris Smith (R-NJ) the Chairman of the Subcommittee reported some interesting and disheartening numbers. The Chairman would reveal that over 18,000 civilians have been killed so far in the conflict ,while additonal estimates place that number in the range of 150,000. with over 10,000,000 people have been displaced nationally by the fighting with a substantial number escaping into neighboring Chad.
The efforts by the United States to mediate in this conflict has been underwhelming to be generous. Working with Saudi Arabia to broker Ceasefires that would only last a week at best were a noble effort that did not yield the desired results. Despite evidence presented to the UN Security Council which showed that the United Arab Emirates was in fact providing material support to the RSF, neither the Biden Administration nor has the Trump Administration seen fit to hold the UAE accountable for their support.
on May 22nd it was announced that the Trump Administration is placing sanctions on the current Sudanese Government. The State Department has determined that in 2024 the SAF used Chemical Weapons in Operations against the RSF. The documentation that was sent to Congress finds that Sudan is in non-compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention of which Sudan is a party. These accusations have been denied by the Sudanese Government however.
Currently there is a sense of frustration among some interests in Washington with the pace of current mediation efforts to end the conflict at the UN. While General Burhan and the Army have the initiative by capturing Khartoum, this does not present any timetable for ending the conflict in the near future. The people of Sudan deserve better from both their leaders and the International community.
