Imagine your country being at civil war for 10 months, leaving thousands dead and millions displaced, yet the rest of the world doesn’t seem to care. That is the exact situation in Sudan, over 12,000 people have been killed, with about 5.9 million displaced. Yet the Western world leaders don’t seem to care, there is a lack of urgency to help.
While Ukraine saw an abundance of support and aid offered the moment a mere threat of war arose, it seems that countries within Africa or the Middle East are not met with this same level of care and humanity. In other words, if those suffering aren’t white, it seems as though those in power feel no way about turning a blind eye.
The civil war in Sudan erupted on the 15th of April 2023, following conflict between two armed forces, the SAF and RSF. The conflict is a result of a power struggle for control of the country and has resulted in the vast destruction of the country.
Ongoing hostility and violence from both groups has resulted in the gradual destruction of the country's economic and political stability. Without a central form of government to take control, the country is falling into newfound forms of violence, such as ethnic cleansing, “Rights groups documented the killing of hundreds of non-Arab civilians in West Darfur,” Meanwhile, the army has been wreaking havoc by bombing densely populated areas, resulting in civilian deaths.
With violence continuing, many businesses, markets and humanitarian aid warehouses have been looted, resulting in further food shortages. Not to mention the lack of access to aid and healthcare due to a restriction in movement. Sudan’s infrastructure has been destroyed by the ongoing conflict, leaving its healthcare system in a dire position, with around 70% of all healthcare facilities being closed down or inaccessible.
The combination of poor healthcare and millions displaced has led to a deathly outbreak of measles, leaving thousands dead. There is the looming fear of possible death from various causes looming over the population of Sudan. The country is on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe.
The urgent need for help has been acknowledge by the UN, which has appealed for $4 billion in aid from other nations. Tigere Chagutah, the Regional Director of Amnesty International East and Southern Africa stated that “Every day, civilians in Sudan are being killed and displaced as the conflict continues to rage; countless lives have been needlessly destroyed,”
Alongside the call for aid, the UN Council has also urged to extend the existing arms embargo to all of Sudan and ensure its enforcement.
Despite blatant calls from the UN, the rest of the world doesn’t seem to care, leaving Sudan to fend for itself. Just like with Palestine, Congo and other ethnic minority nations, the West is quick to turn a blind eye.
Foreign governments must apply more pressure for the violence to stop, and call for an immediate ceasefire. As famine looms over the country, with 18 million people being at immediate risk of hunger, the least other governments can do is provide substantial aid relief.