Sudão: por que uma das guerras mais violentas do mundo atrai menos atenção do que outros conflitos?

Summary

The video discusses the ongoing conflict in Sudan, where nearly 11 million people have been displaced and 12,000 killed in recent months. The war is driven by two generals, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti) and Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who have clashed over power since a 2021 coup. The conflict's roots trace back to Sudan’s military regime under Omar al-Bashir, which fueled ethnic violence in Darfur. The violence now threatens regional stability, worsens humanitarian conditions, and sees little international attention compared to other crises. The conflict’s complexity, compounded by geopolitical factors, poses significant challenges for global intervention.

Takeaways

• 😀 Nearly 11 million people have been forced to flee their homes, making Sudan's crisis the largest forced displacement in the world.
• 😀 In just a few months, 12,000 people have died due to the ongoing war in Sudan, a conflict that often goes unnoticed in global media compared to other crises.
• 😀 Sudan's war involves two generals, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti) and Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, both of whom have clashed over power since 2021.
• 😀 Sudan has experienced a long history of military regimes since its independence from British colonial rule in 1956, including a 30-year autocratic rule by Omar al-Bashir.
• 😀 Under Bashir's regime, the Janjaweed militia, primarily made up of Arab men, was used to suppress rebel groups and later became the paramilitary group RSF (Rapid Support Forces).
• 😀 In 2019, Bashir was ousted after widespread protests, but the promised transition to democracy never materialized. A military junta took control in 2021, leading to ongoing conflict.
• 😀 The RSF, led by Hemedti, has become an increasingly powerful force, involved in massacres, mercenary work, and controlling Sudanese gold mines.
• 😀 The war, which started in April 2023, has devastated various parts of Sudan, with bombings in the capital Khartoum and renewed violence in Darfur, exacerbating ethnic tensions.
• 😀 The conflict has triggered a severe humanitarian crisis, with 16 million people facing food shortages, and many are fleeing to neighboring, struggling countries.
• 😀 International attention to the Sudanese conflict has been lackluster, with experts pointing to lingering colonial-era perceptions and the diffuse nature of the conflict, which makes intervention difficult.
• 😀 Despite attempts at mediation, the two rival military factions appear unwilling to compromise, deepening Sudan's descent into chaos and making the situation even harder to resolve.

Q & A

What is the current situation in Sudan and why is it considered one of the worst crises of forced displacement in the world?

Nearly 11 million people have been forced to leave their homes in Sudan, and 12,000 deaths have been recorded within just a few months. The situation is considered the largest forced displacement crisis globally, with widespread violence and destruction causing immense human suffering.

Why does the war in Sudan receive less international attention compared to other ongoing conflicts?

Experts suggest that global attention to Sudan's conflict is limited due to persistent colonial-era biases and the complexity of the conflict. Some believe African countries are more prone to conflicts and that little can be done. Additionally, the unclear motivations and diffuse causes of the war make it difficult to choose sides or reach a truce.

Who are the main figures involved in the Sudanese conflict and what are their roles?

The conflict is led by two generals: Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), leader of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of the Sudanese Armed Forces. They were once allies but have since become rivals, with their forces clashing in the ongoing civil war.

What historical context is important for understanding the war in Sudan?

Sudan has been under military rule for most of its post-colonial history, with the longest rule being that of Omar al-Bashir, who governed for 30 years. Bashir supported the Janjaweed militia, which became the RSF. The RSF grew in power and influence, and after Bashir's ousting in 2019, Sudan experienced political instability leading to the 2021 military coup.

What role did the Janjaweed play in Sudan's history, and how did they evolve into the RSF?

The Janjaweed were a militia created by Bashir to counterbalance the official military forces. They were accused of committing ethnic cleansing in Darfur in the early 2000s, resulting in 300,000 deaths. Over time, the Janjaweed evolved into the RSF, a powerful paramilitary force accused of atrocities in Sudan and involvement in conflicts in Yemen and Libya.

What has been the impact of the Sudanese civil war on the region, particularly Darfur?

The conflict has deeply affected Darfur, where villages have been burned and entire communities displaced. There are reports of ethnic groups, particularly the Masalit people, being targeted for extermination. Darfur remains one of the epicenters of the humanitarian crisis, with both local and international accusations of ethnic cleansing.

How has the international community responded to the crisis in Sudan?

International responses have been limited. While countries like the UK and the US have acknowledged the crisis, calling it a potential ethnic cleansing or even genocide, the overall international action has been insufficient. There have been some efforts at mediation, but the warring factions remain entrenched and unwilling to compromise.

What are the humanitarian consequences of the Sudanese civil war?

The war has created one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. Nearly a quarter of Sudan’s population has been displaced, and 16 million people face food shortages. The UN and aid organizations are struggling to provide assistance due to limited access in many areas. In some refugee camps, such as Zamzam, children are dying from hunger at alarming rates.

What are the geopolitical interests surrounding the Sudanese conflict?

Sudan's vast natural resources, including oil and valuable minerals like gold, make it a key strategic interest for regional and global powers. Countries such as Russia and the UAE are reportedly involved, with Russia seeking access to Sudan’s Red Sea ports, and the UAE supporting groups with strategic interests in the region.

What does the future hold for Sudan, given the current situation?

The future of Sudan remains uncertain, with the possibility of further fragmentation and increased regional rivalries. The conflict could draw in neighboring armed groups, leading to a broader regional war. Humanitarian conditions are worsening, and there is no immediate solution in sight, with the war continuing to spiral out of control.