In 2023, a hidden crisis exists in the West Asia-North Africa (WANA) region that has escalated into one of the gravest humanitarian emergencies globally. While many may instinctively focus on Gaza, the answer lies within Sudan, where a fierce conflict between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has resulted in catastrophic human suffering. The statistics are alarming: it is estimated that there have been as many as 150,000 deaths and nearly 10 million people displaced, which constitutes approximately one-fifth of Sudan’s population, with approximately 2.5 million fleeing to neighboring countries. These figures starkly outnumber those reported in Gaza and indicate an impending famine and the potential for disease outbreaks such as cholera in a nation previously rich in agricultural output.

Historically, Sudan has experienced significant turmoil stemming from misgovernance and ethnic conflict. Since obtaining independence in 1956, the nation has undergone 15 military coups and resilient civil strife, resulting in 1.5 million fatalities and culminating in the secession of South Sudan in 2011. The ongoing violence in Darfur, cultivated by the notorious Janjaweed militia—the precursor to the RSF—has compounded the suffering, claiming over 200,000 lives and displacing millions.

The current situation can be traced back to three decades of authoritarian rule by Omar Hassan al-Bashir, who was ousted in 2019 after widespread protests. This led to a brief power-sharing agreement between military and civilian entities, which ultimately collapsed following a further military coup in October 2021. The lack of consensus over integrating the RSF into the official army precipitated the armed conflict that erupted in April 2023 between the SAF and RSF, both led by ambitious leaders with personal agendas that overshadow the initial call for civilian governance.

The political landscape has evolved into a complex arena where foreign interests have leveraged the conflict for their purposes. Sudan’s strategic geographic location and resource wealth have drawn various external players into the fray. Notably, while Egypt has supported the SAF, Iran’s involvement has complicated matters. The RSF appears to have garnered backing from the Wagner Group and the United Arab Emirates, among others. This has resulted in an alarming amalgamation of mercenaries from diverse regions, further complicating the ground situation.

Efforts to enact a ceasefire, led by various international entities, have been largely unsuccessful due to the stubbornness of the involved parties. The United Nations Security Council has only recently taken action, though progress has been minimal and mainly aspirational. Recent discussions brokered by the United States in Geneva yielded no substantive agreements for a ceasefire, although they did result in a commitment to facilitate humanitarian access, underscoring the dire necessity of assistance for vulnerable populations.

India, which has deep-rooted relations with Sudan, finds itself closely monitoring these developments. In the fiscal year 2022-2023, India’s trade with Sudan reached an impressive $2.034 billion, primarily in sugars and petroleum. Historical investments by India in Sudan, totaling approximately $2.3 billion, along with significant lines of credit, further highlight the depth of this bilateral relationship. Continued instability, however, threatens to fuel militant activity that could undermine regional stability and jeopardize India’s interests.

In summary, the conflict in Sudan represents a significant crisis overshadowed by more publicized events in the WANA region. The humanitarian toll is devastating, compounded by a historical legacy of strife and foreign manipulation that complicates the path to peace. The international community must take note and act decisively to address both the immediate humanitarian needs and the underlying causes of the conflict.

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