Since 7 October 2023, the international community has appeared to focus mainly on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Before this, attention centred on the war in Ukraine, which has continued for over three years. Expressing concern and outrage on the calamities in both places is justified.
Only these two major wars in the Gaza and Ukraine have been etched primarily on people’s minds across the world. Both show no signs of ending soon.
Catastrophes in other parts of the world are overshadowed under the global microscope, as evident by the scant media attention given to them.
Ignored by many people worldwide is the civil war in Sudan, which began on 15 April 2023.
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The conflict was triggered when fighting broke out between two major rival factions of the Sudanese military government – Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) under Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The RSF and its allies (collectively the Janjaweed coalition) operate under the command of Janjaweed leader Hemedti.
Recent studies suggest the death toll may exceed 60,000 since the civil war began, though some estimate the figure could exceed 150,000. Over 14 million people have been displaced by the civil war – making it the world’s largest displacement crisis – based on reports from the UN’s refugee agency (UNHCR).
Refugees from Sudan have sought asylum in neighbouring countries: Chad, South Sudan, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, the Central African Republic and Libya. These countries have faced problems with the high influx of refugees.
According to the UN, besides the refugees who have left the country, about 11.6 million people have been displaced internally in Sudan.
As in any war, civilians pay a heavy price. Sexual violence and the recruitment of child soldiers are prevalent.
Some of the atrocities that have surfaced include cases of grandmothers, mothers and daughters raped by soldiers. Several mothers pleaded with these soldiers to spare their daughters and offered themselves in exchange.
This civil war in Sudan has become one of the worst humanitarian crises of current times. Despite the horrific situation the international community appears to be turning a blind eye to Sudan.
Unicef estimated that 730,000 Sudanese children suffered severe acute malnutrition in 2024.
Regrettably, such stories are not captured or are given scant attention by the international media.
Is the international community waiting for another genocide to happen akin to what happened in Rwanda in 1994 when 800,000 people lost their lives before they open their eyes?
Former US President Bill Clinton regretted he did not take resolute action when the Rwandan genocide happened during his presidency. The failure to act to avert the massacres between the Hutus and Tutsis remains one of the blotches of his presidency.
Minimal international attention
Since 2003, leaders worldwide, including Sudan, have failed to protect the women and girls in Sudan – despite the world observing the 25th anniversary of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on 25 November 2024.
The international community must focus on halting the war and genocide in Sudan. Utmost priority must be given towards quickly ending the brutality against ordinary people in Sudan, especially the rape of women and girls.
As a result of the revulsion and anguish caused by rape, gang rape and other sexual violence, many victims are committing suicide rather than confronting the pain and scars of these sexual violations.
The dire situation in Sudan seems to have been overshadowed by what’s happening in Gaza. As this happens, Sudan’s persistent civil war risks making it the world’s biggest and most critical famine disaster.
The World Food Programme provided sobering statistics of the emergency in Sudan. Over half the population – 25 million – are “acutely food insecure”. Over 600,000 (“the highest anywhere in the world”) face “catastrophic levels of hunger”. Famine was confirmed at the Zamzam internally displaced people’s camp in August 2024 and could engulf 10 areas in the months ahead, with a further 17 areas at risk.
All this threatens millions of lives, mainly children, and worsens what is already one of the world’s most severe food crises.
Prior to the civil war in Sudan, there were around two million deaths arising from two battles in South Sudan and Darfur.
South Africa took Israel to the International Court of Justice over the latter’s conduct during the Israel-Hamas war.
But where is the international community when it comes to the civil war in Sudan? Why is it muted over Sudan? Has it forgotten its struggle for democracy and human rights?
Sudan appears to have been forgotten at a time when it needs help the most. It is time for the international community to wake up from its slumber.
Unlike Gaza, there are few or no demonstrations taking place globally to highlight the plight of these helpless people who are our fellow human beings.
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
