Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tunisia and Former Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Mali
- By Mongi Hamdi
The tragic civil war in Sudan has entered its third year with devastating consequences, yet it remains largely ignored by the international community. More than 150,000 lives have been lost, over 13 million people are displaced, and upwards of 30 million are in dire need of humanitarian assistance. The economy lies in ruins, and famine looms over millions, especially those living in refugee camps.
This brutal conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has unleashed a wave of atrocities, including war crimes, massacres, mass sexual violence, and the use of chemical weapons—as recently reported by the United States, which has since imposed sanctions on the Sudanese Armed Forces.
What is most alarming is the absence of sustained international engagement. Several peace initiatives—held in Jeddah, Geneva, London, and Manama—have failed due to a lack of commitment from the warring parties, particularly the Sudanese Armed Forces, which have consistently withdrawn from negotiations and refused to present a political solution. The army’s continued rejection of civilian governance and its resistance to a democratic transition have only deepened the crisis.
This war cannot be allowed to persist. Neither side can achieve a decisive military victory, and the longer it continues, the greater the suffering and risk of regional destabilization. Sudan borders fragile states that could be drawn into the conflict, leading to a broader humanitarian and security catastrophe across the region.
The international community must act decisively. The United Nations, African Union, and European Union, and in particular the United States should take urgent, coordinated measures to pressure both sides into an immediate ceasefire and force a return to negotiations. Without such intervention, Sudan’s crisis will only worsen—and the world will bear the shame of its indifference.
Now is the time to silence the guns and give peace a chance.
