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A recent conference in Berlin has seen international donors commit over £1 billion to assist Sudan, a nation in the throes of a devastating humanitarian crisis. With approximately 34 million people—two-thirds of the population—reliant on aid, the pledges significantly surpassed the initial funding target set by organisers. However, the looming spectre of ongoing conflict casts a long shadow over the prospect of peace in the region.
The Humanitarian Catastrophe
The plight of Sudanese citizens is dire, with three years of relentless warfare leaving the nation in tatters. The funding announced during the Berlin conference is intended to address an overwhelming humanitarian funding shortfall, yet it comes amidst a backdrop of escalating violence and humanitarian suffering. The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, described the current situation as a “nightmare” and called for immediate action to alleviate the profound suffering.
While the conference aimed to rally support and resources, it also highlighted the stark reality that neither of Sudan’s warring factions—the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces—attended. Their absence underscores the deepening rift and lack of dialogue between the parties. In a pointed rebuke, Sudan’s foreign ministry, aligned with the army, accused the conference attendees of failing to consult them, characterising the approach of Western nations as reminiscent of “colonial tutelage”.
Voices from the Ground
Protests erupted outside the conference venue, where hundreds voiced their discontent, particularly against the United Arab Emirates for its alleged support of the RSF. Inside, discussions continued, with American officials emphasising a humanitarian focus. Massad Boulos, a senior adviser for African affairs under Donald Trump, stated that the US was not siding with either faction and was primarily concerned with ensuring aid distribution to those in need.
Despite these efforts, the ongoing diplomatic initiatives led by the so-called Quad—comprising the US, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UAE—have yielded little in terms of substantive progress towards a ceasefire. The grim reality is that the humanitarian
