In a bid to bring an end to the ongoing 12-week conflict between rival Sudanese military factions and alleviate the resulting humanitarian crisis, Egypt has announced its plan to host a summit of Sudan’s neighbouring countries on July 13. The Egyptian presidency expressed its aim to develop effective mechanisms, in coordination with regional and international efforts, to peacefully settle the conflict, according to a statement released on Sunday.
Since the eruption of hostilities in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum on April 15, over 2.9 million people have been forced to flee their homes, with nearly 700,000 seeking refuge in neighbouring countries. In response to the crisis, several nations, including Nigeria, have initiated the evacuation of their citizens from Sudan. However, the evacuation of Nigerian citizens proved challenging, as the evacuation team in Sudan had to arrange buses to transport Nigerian students to nearby borders in Egypt before airlifting them back to Nigeria.
Among the affected nations, Egypt has particularly close ties with Sudan’s army, which has been engaged in clashes with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Khartoum and other regions of Sudan. Notably, Egypt was not involved in the talks led by the United States and Saudi Arabia in Jeddah, which were adjourned last month after failing to secure a lasting ceasefire. The US and Saudi Arabia have been acting as mediators, attempting to facilitate dialogue between the military and the RSF in Jeddah. Despite seven declared ceasefires thus far, all have been violated to some extent.
The most recent ceasefire, called by the Rapid Support Forces and subsequently by the Sudanese Armed Forces, was described as “unilateral” and ostensibly linked to the occasion of Eid. However, this temporary cessation of hostilities failed to achieve its intended purpose, as it was followed by a resurgence of fighting, indicating a lack of genuine commitment to peace. Observers reported that the clashes in Omdurman from July 2 to 4 were particularly intense, with some even characterizing them as the fiercest since the war began. Tragically, a bomb struck homes on Al-Radamia Street on July 3, resulting in the loss of three lives and the injury of five individuals.
Residents in affected areas have been living in fear and uncertainty. Testimonies from Khartoum’s Al-Taif area residents described the disconcerting sound of bullets dominating their surroundings, while others recounted being awakened by the cacophony of violent fighting. Some even reported hearing the roaring sound of warplanes as they rose from their beds.
Ceasefires are often proclaimed as part of a peace process, signifying a mutual commitment between warring factions to pursue an end to armed conflict. However, experts in peace and conflict resolution acknowledge that ceasefires are occasionally violated deliberately, driven by motives ranging from provocation to strategic considerations. External powers often advocate for temporary halts in fighting on humanitarian grounds, aiming to facilitate relief efforts and alleviate civilian suffering.
The Sudanese War bears a striking resemblance to Elvis Gbanabom’s poignant poem, “The Dining Table.” While the poem draws inspiration from Sierra Leone’s 11-year civil war (1991-2002), it undeniably reflects the present-day reality of the Sudanese conflict.
In this war-torn landscape, lawlessness prevails as rebel soldiers, akin to guerrillas, roam freely, perpetrating unspeakable atrocities against innocent civilians. Equally culpable are government-affiliated militias, symbolized as crocodiles, who have also committed numerous war crimes.
The entire region is engulfed in a horrifying spectacle of bloodshed and chaos, where people are maimed, killed, and homes and communities are ruthlessly destroyed. Tragically, even children and other vulnerable members of society are ensnared in this conflict, forced to either participate in the perpetration of violence or become hapless victims of war’s malevolence.
Such widespread insecurity and disorder have created an environment where the state is incapable of preventing or managing the outbreak of diseases like cholera. Consequently, countless lives are needlessly lost due to the absence of basic healthcare and sanitation measures.
As the war in Sudan persists, the international community must seek sustainable solutions to bring about lasting peace. With Egypt taking the lead in hosting the upcoming summit, there is hope that concerted efforts among Sudan’s neighbouring nations, along with regional and international support, can pave the way for a peaceful resolution. Only through meaningful dialogue, genuine commitment, and concerted action can the war in Sudan be brought to an end, bringing much-needed relief to the suffering population.
