As the world marks the second anniversary of Sudan’s devastating civil war, a global conference is set to bring together nearly 20 countries and organisations in a bid to drive peace between warring factions.
The British government has brought together foreign ministers from nearly 20 countries and organisations in a bid to establish a group that can drive the warring factions in Sudan closer towards peace. The conference, scheduled for Lancaster House in London on April 15, comes on the the second anniversary of the start of a civil war that has led to ‘the world’s biggest humanitarian crisis’.
The Horn of Africa conflict refers to a complex web of tensions and conflicts involving several countries in the region, including Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia, and Kenya.
The conflict is fueled by historical grievances, border disputes, and competition for resources such as water and land.
According to the United Nations, over 2 million people have been displaced due to the conflict since 2011.
The conflict has also led to a significant increase in piracy and terrorism in the region.
Diplomatic Pressure and Conflict Risks
The initiative holds risks for the UK Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, as it may require him to place pressure on some of the UK’s Middle Eastern allies to make good on their promises no longer to arm the warring parties. The two warring parties, the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), have not been invited to London, which is seen as a long way from seeking peace.
External Backers and Ceasefire Demands
Diplomatic energy is best placed on securing a consensus among rival external backers that a ceasefire must be demanded and impunity for war crimes will end. The Sudanese government has accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of complicity in genocide by covertly arming the RSF, while the UAE has condemned the claim as a publicity stunt.
Humanitarian Crisis and Civilian Protection
Half of Sudan’s population are judged to be desperately short of food, with 11 million people internally displaced. The conference is also likely to focus on the impact of USAID cuts on the provision of humanitarian aid in Sudan, as well as the withdrawal of funding from academic groups that have been monitoring war crimes and the build-up of famine.
The Sudan humanitarian crisis has been ongoing since December 2018, with millions of people affected by conflict, displacement, and poverty.
According to the United Nations, over 4 million people are in need of assistance, including 3.5 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) and 1.9 million refugees.
The crisis is fueled by a combination of factors, including economic instability, corruption, and a lack of access to basic services such as healthcare and education.
The situation continues to deteriorate, with reports of human rights abuses, food insecurity, and disease outbreaks.
NGOs such as Human Rights Watch are urging the ministerial conference to emphasise the importance of civilian protection, independent of a ceasefire. They argue that a new vehicle is needed to take forward civilian protection, which could be a coalition of conscience or a contact group.
Restoring Communications
Shayna Lewis from Avaaz says that restoring telecommunication networks would have the greatest impact on civilian protection. More than 25 million people are cut off from the internet and cannot send texts or make phone calls, equivalent to half of England’s population being disconnected from the outside world.
- theguardian.com | UK to co host global conference with aim of resolving Sudan’s civil war
