Sudan at risk of becoming a failed state amid civil war and humanitarian crisis, aid chief warns
Sudan is at risk of becoming another failed state due to the collapse of civil society amid the rise of numerous armed groups, according to Jan Egeland, head of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).
Speaking to the BBC, Egeland highlighted that in addition to the two main warring factions – the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) – there are various smaller ethnic groups wreaking havoc on civilians.
He described the situation as parties “tearing down their own houses” and committing atrocities against their own people.
The 19-month-long conflict between the army and the RSF has led to over 10 million people fleeing their homes, with Sudan on the verge of starvation.
Egeland described the crisis as the worst humanitarian disaster in the world, labeling it “the biggest hunger crisis” and “the biggest displacement crisis” observed by the NRC.
In September, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that starvation was widespread in Sudan, with many soup kitchens forced to shut due to lack of funding.
Egeland criticized the insufficient humanitarian response, stating that aid is merely “delaying deaths” rather than preventing them.
He emphasized that starvation is being used as a weapon of war, and some experts estimate up to 2.5 million people may die from hunger by the end of the year.
Egeland warned that the global community is “failing Sudan completely” by not providing enough aid and support.
He stressed that if Europe wants to prevent a refugee crisis, it must focus on “aid, protection, and peace” in Sudan.
Despite this, peace talks between the RSF and the army have been ineffective.
Egeland added that the war will only cease when the leaders involved feel they have more to lose from continuing the conflict than from seeking peace.
Source-BBC
