Sudan, a country in North-East Africa, has been wracked by conflict for decades. However, the current conflict, which started in the capital city, Khartoum, is particularly concerning as it risks drawing in outsiders and potentially escalating into a regional or even global conflict.
The conflict started when armed men stormed the home of a businessman named Muhammad, ordering him and his family to leave. The soldiers then mounted anti-aircraft guns on the roof of the apartment. Muhammad’s family had to move to a quieter neighborhood nearby, but even that area soon became unsafe as the fighting spread and left the streets strewn with bodies. This is just one example of the many tragic consequences of the conflict in Sudan.
Sudan is strategically located in the Horn of Africa, which is a vital region due to its position astride key trade routes. Sudan sits on the Nile, which is Egypt’s lifeline, and it has ports close to the Horn of Africa. The Horn of Africa controls the southern chokepoint of the Red Sea, which is a critical shipping route for goods between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The region is also close to the Persian Gulf, another critical strategic area.
The importance of the Horn of Africa has not gone unnoticed by major global powers such as the United States, China, and France, who all have military bases in Djibouti, a country on the Horn of Africa. The Horn of Africa is seen as a “microcosm of other international disputes” by Comfort Ero, the president of the International Crisis Group, a Brussels-based think-tank. It is a place where “the West meets the East, where the Gulf meets Europe.”
The conflict in Sudan has the potential to draw in these major powers and escalate into a regional or global conflict. The situation in Sudan is complex, with multiple groups vying for power, including the government, rebel groups, and tribal militias. The Sudanese government has been accused of committing atrocities against its own people, including genocide in Darfur, a region in western Sudan.
The conflict has already had devastating consequences for the people of Sudan, with thousands killed and millions displaced from their homes. The conflict has also had a significant impact on the region, with neighboring countries such as Ethiopia and South Sudan facing increased instability as a result of the conflict.
The international community has a responsibility to help resolve the conflict in Sudan before it escalates further. The United Nations and other international organizations must work with the Sudanese government, rebel groups, and other stakeholders to find a peaceful solution to the conflict. This solution must address the underlying causes of the conflict, including issues of power-sharing, resource allocation, and human rights.
In conclusion, the conflict in Sudan is a home-grown conflict with potentially global consequences. The Horn of Africa is a strategic region, and the conflict in Sudan risks drawing in major global powers and escalating into a regional or even global conflict. The international community must take urgent action to help resolve the conflict and prevent further suffering for the people of Sudan and the wider region.
By: Mr. Mustansar Hussain Tasir
