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As Sudan’s brutal conflict marks its third anniversary, British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is set to advocate for an end to the violence at a significant conference in Berlin on Wednesday. With the war now extending into its fourth year, the humanitarian crisis has reached alarming proportions, with over 19 million people facing acute hunger and the spectre of famine looming across the nation.
Urgent Humanitarian Appeal
The upcoming talks, which take place on the anniversary of the conflict’s onset, aim to address a dire funding shortfall that exacerbates what is already considered one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. Alarmingly, only 16% of the required humanitarian funding for Sudan this year has been secured from the international community, a situation worsened by the ongoing diplomatic focus on the conflict in Iran.
At the Berlin summit, Cooper is expected to announce a substantial increase in UK aid, doubling it to £15 million specifically for Sudanese frontline responders, including the grassroots initiative known as Emergency Response Rooms. This funding is crucial as the fighting continues unabated between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), leading to a deteriorating situation on the ground.
Rising Hunger and Despair
Recent evaluations by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) paint a bleak picture of the humanitarian landscape, revealing “emergency” levels of hunger across several regions, including North Kordofan, West Kordofan, South Kordofan, and North Darfur. Some communities are facing “catastrophic” conditions, and projections suggest that the number of individuals in need of humanitarian assistance could escalate to between 22 and 23 million in the coming months.
Despite the overwhelming evidence of suffering, Cooper remains hopeful that a diplomatic resolution to the conflict is within reach. “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.
Stalled Political Progress
However, the political momentum appears stagnant, with reports indicating that talks among the so-called Quad nations—comprising the US, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE—have not produced any significant advancements. These nations are divided in their support, with Saudi Arabia and Egypt backing the Sudanese army, while the UAE aligns itself with the RSF. Tensions between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi have escalated following recent confrontations in Yemen, further complicating efforts for peace.
While the presence of Massad Boulos, Donald Trump’s former advisor on Africa, at the Berlin gathering raises hopes for renewed dialogue, many experts believe that substantial political breakthroughs are unlikely. “We don’t expect anything major, certainly not on the political level,” remarked a source involved in the conference preparations.
An Intensifying Conflict
In the absence of diplomatic progress, it is widely anticipated that the violence in Sudan will escalate, particularly in the Kordofan regions, which are currently at the heart of the conflict. Paul Byars, the Sudan director for the Danish Refugee Council, expressed concern about the ongoing hostilities: “I think there’ll be a worsening of the conflict in the Kordofan. Neither side will give up, which means they’ll keep taking and retaking territory.”
Moreover, the conflict is likely to be exacerbated by technological advancements in warfare, notably the increasing deployment of drones. The United Nations reported that nearly 700 civilian casualties have resulted from drone strikes in Sudan since the beginning of the year, indicating a troubling shift in the nature of the violence.
Why it Matters
The situation in Sudan is a stark reminder of the dire humanitarian crises that can arise from prolonged conflict. With millions at risk of starvation and the potential for further escalation of violence, the international community must act decisively. The Berlin conference represents not just an opportunity for funding but a moment to galvanise a global response that could pave the way for peace and stability in a nation that has suffered far too long. The stakes are high, as the future of millions hangs in the balance.