As Sudan’s brutal civil war approaches its fourth anniversary, British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is set to call for an end to the bloodshed during a pivotal conference in Berlin. With over 19 million people grappling with acute hunger and the risk of famine looming, the summit aims to address a dire funding shortfall that has left the country in a state of humanitarian catastrophe.
A Bleak Anniversary
The Berlin conference, coinciding with the third anniversary of Sudan’s devastating conflict, is expected to bring together international leaders to discuss the escalating crisis. However, analysts remain sceptical about the likelihood of achieving any meaningful progress towards peace. With only 16% of the required humanitarian funding provided this year, the situation is dire, and the need for urgent intervention has never been clearer.
Cooper will announce a significant increase in UK aid, doubling it to £15 million, aimed at supporting frontline responders such as the Emergency Response Rooms, a grassroots volunteer organisation. But as the war rages on between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese army, the humanitarian needs continue to soar.
Hunger on the Rise
Recent assessments from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) reveal “emergency” levels of hunger in several regions, including North and West Kordofan, South Kordofan, and North Darfur. Some communities are facing “catastrophic” conditions, with projections indicating that the number of people requiring humanitarian assistance could reach between 22 and 23 million in the coming months.
Despite the grim outlook, Cooper remains hopeful. “Today, in Berlin, I will call for the international community to join in a shared resolve: to secure a ceasefire and a diplomatic solution, to stop the suffering, and allow the people of Sudan to determine their own peaceful future,” she stated.
Political Stalemate
While the humanitarian crisis escalates, political negotiations have stalled. The so-called Quad nations—led by the US and including Egypt and Saudi Arabia—have struggled to make headway, particularly with tensions rising between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, both of whom support opposing sides in the conflict. The anticipated presence of Massad Boulos, a political adviser to Donald Trump, has sparked some hope for renewed discussions, but expectations remain low.
One attendee of the conference remarked, “We don’t expect anything major, certainly not on the political level.” Experts predict that without a diplomatic breakthrough, the conflict will likely worsen, especially in the Kordofan region, which has become the epicentre of violence.
Drones and Intensified Conflict
The ongoing conflict is increasingly marked by the use of technology, particularly drones, which have changed the dynamics of warfare. Traditionally, fighting would diminish during Sudan’s rainy season, but experts fear this may no longer be the case. As of January, nearly 700 civilian casualties have been reported due to drone strikes, underscoring the urgent need for a ceasefire and humanitarian intervention.
Why it Matters
The situation in Sudan is a stark reminder of the catastrophic consequences of protracted conflict and the urgent need for international cooperation to alleviate suffering. With millions on the brink of starvation and political solutions remaining elusive, the Berlin conference represents a crucial moment for world leaders to act decisively. The stakes are high, not just for Sudan but for regional stability and the global humanitarian response.
