Six months ago, a civil war erupted in Sudan between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). According to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project approximately 7,500 people have been killed and more than 5 million people have been displaced. This war was a long time coming in a country that has been under military rule and internal strife since its independence from Britain. Sudan is a large and strategically important country. The Nile River runs the country’s length, and it has deepwater ports in the Red Sea, a major transit route for maritime goods and petrochemicals. It is in the United States (US) interests to help Sudan find a peaceful solution to the current crisis.
The US must pay more attention to Sudan, invest more diplomatic resources, enforce an arms embargo and support the people with humanitarian aid.
Great power game
Port Sudan is perhaps the most geo-strategically significant piece of Sudan. Both China and Russia have been courting the Sudanese government for a long time to gain a foothold in the country and a Red Sea port for their ships. Russias Wagner Group has fighters in Sudan centered around certain gold and other mines. Iran too is interested in access to the Red Sea as it continues to play its long game rivalry with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The US responsibility in Sudan is more than simply denying its rivals access, it also has a moral responsibility to help.
Humanitarian and democratic responsibility
The humanitarian crisis is obviously in need of addressing, with 5 million people internally displaced and many in dire need of food. It is also more complex than that. Right before the current civil war there were massive civilian protests by people who were tired of military rule and yearned for a more democratic and open governing system. The US encouraged these protests and bears some responsibility to help. The US has a history of involvement in Sudan, having a large role in assisting South Sudan gain independence from Sudan in 2011. As a string of countries neighboring Sudan slide away from democracy the US should support the democratic process by first negotiating a ceasefire and then assisting civil society groups representing the democratic hopes of the people.
Outsourcing the heavy lifting will not work
Up until now the US has relied on our “allies” such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE to try and broker a cease fire between the Army and the RSF. I use allies in quotes because there is little policy alignment between the countries with respect to Sudan. The US should partner with its allies in the area where possible but understand that the shared vision only goes so far. They don’t care about democracy, they just want to make sure the Red Sea stays safe for oil and gas to transit, and that Iran doesn’t get a foothold in Sudan. Recent reports state that the UAE is sending arms to the RSF while preaching peace. The Biden Administration recently appointed Donald E. Booth as the new special envoy to Sudan. Appointing another envoy will not be enough to stop the civil war. US sanctions, with support from all our middle eastern allies is essential to finding a lasting solution to the Sudanese crisis.
