Sudan Teeters on the Brink of Full-Scale Civil War, UN Warns of Regional Destabilization

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Gender-Based Violence Soars in Sudan Conflict, Prompting Urgent Calls for Action

The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, issued a grave warning on Saturday, stating that Sudan is on the verge of a “full-scale civil war” as violent clashes between rival generals persist in the capital city of Khartoum. The ongoing war between the Sudanese military and the powerful paramilitary force poses a significant threat not only to the country but also to regional stability, according to Farhan Haq, the deputy spokesperson for the UN chief.

The Pan African Parliament (PAP) in May, held a two-day consultation seeking conflict resolution, urging the Sudanese to address their differences through mediation and dialogue and avoid further loss to the lives of the people [VIDEO]. Female Parliamentarians were unanimous in indicating that the worrying situation is a direct violation of human rights, as the most affected were the women and children. They further weighed in on the issue of abuse of women and children and urged that PAP should play its mandatory role in ensuring that a peace deal be made as soon as possible.

Ambassador of the Republic of Sudan accredited to South Arica, H.E. Osama Mahjoub Hassan Dirar during his briefing to members of the PAP on the ongoing situation in Sudan. Image courtesy of PAP Media

Fidel Amakye Owusu, a Ghanaian International Relations and Security Analyst, aligns with the concerns expressed by both the PAP and the UN Secretary-General,  emphasizes that the absence of defined limits and the breakdown of communication between the warring factions have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, with specific ethnicities being targeted in a macabre campaign of ethnic cleansing.

It is revealed that the Sudan conflict, unlike the Russia-Ukraine conflict, lacks defined limits, posing a significant problem for the country, the region, and the world. What initially appeared as mere skirmishes between competing forces under different supreme commanders has rapidly spiraled into a more devastating situation, surpassing the influence of powerful mediators such as the United States and Saudi Arabia.

It is predicted that the United Nations will intervene once it becomes evident that the brokers of failed ceasefires have exhausted their efforts. However, to achieve lasting peace, it is necessary to restart peace efforts in Sudan from scratch. Owusu emphasizes the need to address fundamental issues that may be specific to the military generals involved in the conflict. Unfortunately, unless these underlying issues are openly discussed and resolved, there is a risk of Sudan becoming geographically divided, much like the historical divisions of Germany and Berlin.

Background:

The tension between General Abdel-Fattah Burhan, the military chief, and General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, commander of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, erupted into open fighting in mid-April, plunging Sudan into chaos. The situation has steadily worsened since then, pushing the nation further towards the brink of an all-out civil war.

Health Minister Haitham Mohammed Ibrahim disclosed last month that the clashes have already claimed the lives of over 3,000 people, with more than 6,000 others sustaining injuries. However, he also acknowledged that the actual death toll is likely to be much higher. The conflict’s devastating impact has forced over 2.9 million individuals to flee their homes, seeking safety within Sudan or across neighboring borders, as reported by the United Nations.

The UN’s warning of regional destabilization serves as a poignant reminder of the urgency to address the root causes of the conflict and implement effective measures to restore peace and protect the lives of the people affected by the escalating violence in Sudan.

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