The Complete and Utter Collapse of Sudan

Summary

Sudan's ongoing civil war, which erupted in 2023, has caused the complete breakdown of the state, leading to the largest humanitarian crisis on earth. After a military coup ousted dictator Omar al-Bashir in 2019, power struggles between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have escalated into brutal conflict. With over 500,000 dead, millions displaced, and widespread famine, Sudan is on the brink of collapse. As ethnic violence ravages regions like Darfur, external powers like the UAE and Russia exploit Sudan's resources, leaving the people in desperate need of peace and international intervention.

Takeaways

• 😀 Sudan's civil war, which began in 2023, has resulted in a complete state breakdown and is considered the largest humanitarian crisis on Earth.
• 😀 The war is primarily driven by a power struggle between two military factions: the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
• 😀 The SAF and RSF have each taken control of different regions of Sudan, leading to a fragmented and unstable state with no clear government structure.
• 😀 The conflict has caused massive displacement, with 15 million people forced to flee and 25 million suffering from hunger due to deliberate destruction of resources.
• 😀 Darfur, an already troubled region, is once again at the heart of ethnic conflict, with the RSF committing atrocities against non-Arab populations.
• 😀 The Darfur genocide, which took place in the 2000s, has resurfaced in a more horrific form, with the RSF conducting ethnic cleansing and mass killings in cities like Alaser.
• 😀 Sudan's history of military dictatorships, including Omar al-Bashir, has contributed to cycles of unrest, with military coups replacing one authoritarian regime with another.
• 😀 The international community, particularly the West, has largely ignored the crisis in Sudan, allowing foreign powers like the UAE and Russia to influence the outcome of the conflict.
• 😀 The UAE has supported the RSF in exchange for Sudan's gold, making Sudan a key player in the global gold market, while Russia's Wagner Group is involved in protecting gold resources.
• 😀 In response to the collapse of the state, the SPLM (Sudan People's Liberation Movement) has established a 'Republic of New Sudan' in the southern Nuba Mountains, advocating for a secular, democratic alternative.

Q & A

What triggered the civil war in Sudan in 2023?

The civil war in Sudan in 2023 was triggered by a power struggle between two military factions—the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The dispute stemmed from disagreements over the creation of a joint army, with SAF wanting it done in two years, while RSF leader Hametti wanted ten years.

What is the significance of Darfur in the context of Sudan's conflict?

Darfur holds historical importance in Sudan’s conflict due to its ethnic tensions between Arab and non-Arab groups. In the 2000s, the Janjaweed militia, backed by the Sudanese government, committed genocide against the native African populations. The RSF, which evolved from this militia, has continued violent campaigns in Darfur during the current civil war.

Why is Sudan facing such a severe humanitarian crisis?

Sudan is facing a severe humanitarian crisis due to widespread violence, displacement, famine, and destruction of infrastructure. Over half a million people have died, 15 million are displaced, and 25 million are suffering from hunger as farms and food stockpiles are deliberately destroyed. The war has also caused the education system to collapse, with 90% of children out of school.

How has Sudan's historical struggle with military dictatorships influenced its current crisis?

Sudan has experienced a long history of military rule, where military leaders took control through coups, leading to cycles of oppression and rebellion. These cycles have left the country with a fragile state and deep-rooted instability, which has culminated in the current civil war after the fall of Omar al-Bashir.

What role has the international community played in Sudan's crisis?

The international community has been largely passive in addressing Sudan’s crisis. While countries like the UAE, Russia, and others have had interests in Sudan’s resources (such as gold), the West has shown limited involvement in stopping the violence. The international community’s disinterest or lack of substantial intervention has contributed to the ongoing humanitarian disaster.

What was the Nuba Mountains movement, and how does it relate to the larger Sudanese crisis?

The Nuba Mountains movement represents a resistance effort by southern rebels who formed a self-declared republic, advocating for secularism and a democratic state. This movement highlights Sudan’s fragmentation, with regions outside government control pursuing alternatives to the dominant military regime.

What are the historical roots of Sudan’s ethnic conflict, particularly between the north and south?

Sudan’s ethnic conflict is rooted in historical tensions between the Arab-dominated north and the mainly Christian, African south. The northern elites sought to Islamize and Arabize the south, leading to two major civil wars. The south eventually seceded in 2011, but tensions over resources, especially oil, have continued between the two regions.

How did the secession of South Sudan in 2011 impact Sudan's economy and political landscape?

The secession of South Sudan in 2011 deprived Sudan of the majority of its oil reserves, which significantly impacted its economy. The loss of oil revenue led to economic collapse, hyperinflation, and widespread protests. The Sudanese government’s patronage system, reliant on oil revenues, collapsed, worsening the crisis.

What is the role of the RSF in Sudan’s gold industry?

The RSF has expanded its influence by controlling Sudan's gold industry, particularly after capturing the Jebel Aamir gold mine in Darfur. They have used gold production to fund their operations, including involvement in foreign conflicts like the war in Yemen, and to support their growing paramilitary power.

What would it take for Sudan's civil war to end?

For Sudan’s civil war to end, a significant change in international involvement or a shift in power dynamics within Sudan would be needed. If major international actors like the UAE or Russia were to withdraw support from the RSF, or if the factions were to negotiate a settlement, the war could potentially end. However, the likelihood of a peaceful resolution remains uncertain due to entrenched interests and military control.