Today's Edition
By Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali*
Since the outbreak of war in Sudan in April 2023, international and regional parties have proposed initiatives to bring the conflict to an end, but none of them have been successful in resolving the crisis so far. The reason for this is a lack of desire to achieve peace. Military leaders and members of the Muslim Brotherhood push for the continuation of the war, even if it leads to thousands of deaths, the displacement of millions, widespread destruction of infrastructure and communities, and the collapse of Sudan's economy.
Amid Arab, African, and international mediation efforts, the Sudanese army rejects negotiation initiatives or acts under the illusion that it can dictate terms at the negotiating table. As a result, initiative after initiative has faltered. Even agreements reached in Manama or at the Jeddah platform and other initiatives have not been honored by the Sudanese army, including those related to the passage of humanitarian aid. Proposals for temporary or permanent ceasefires, without preconditions, and calls for resolving the conflict through political dialogue have also been ignored.
There are factions that do not want to stop the fighting and reach peace. The growing influence of the Muslim Brotherhood within the army is a destabilizing factor. When regular state military forces adopt ideological or partisan loyalties, they destabilise the country and sabotage any peace initiative.
As long as the army does not disengage itself from groups that support the idea of a military solution and the continuation of the conflict, the Sudanese people will bear the consequences of the war: death, hunger, displacement, and destruction of the country to the point that it may become uninhabitable even after the war ends.The army deliberately thwarts every step towards peace, and undermines regional and international efforts to end the war to secure military support – drones and weapons – from regional backers. Its aim is to continue the war for years, with no regard for the threat it poses to regional security. The longer the war drags on, the more obstacles it creates and the more complex the negotiations become, and greater the risk of Sudan's fragmentation.
Sudan's economy has been ruined, with industries destroyed, agricultural production halted, and the service sector collapsed. Tens of thousands have died, and millions have fled to neighbouring countries. Military losses in both personnel and equipment are huge, yet this is hidden by media obfuscation. There is no clear military or political roadmap in sight.
Credible evidence points to the army carrying out extrajudicial killings and summary executions in the southern and eastern parts of the capital, Khartoum, after entering these areas with allied militias. Victims include civilians targeted along ethnic lines, as well as humanitarian workers, at a time when Sudanese people are facing the looming spectre of famine.
These are not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern of abuse and violations. The United Nations Human Rights Commission has called for investigations into these illegal executions, which constitute a gross violation of international human rights and humanitarian law and, above all, the rights of the Sudanese people.
The violations are supported by groups that have been rejected across the Arab world and are designated as terrorist organisations in several countries. These groups exploit the chaos to eliminate their political opponents and those opposing the war. The victims are often those who chose to remain in their homes, refusing to take part in the fighting. It seems that the aim of these violations is to silence dissenting and independent voices; in other words, either support the war or risk death.
The role of the extremist group goes beyond backing the war and eliminating opponents. It also leads media campaigns that incite the killing of civilians. This extremist media machine promotes hatred and justifies atrocities – actions that are categorised as war crimes and crimes against humanity, punishable under international law.
The army appears to be continuing its alliance with this terrorist group to ruin Sudan and may cede pieces of the country's sovereignty or resources to some foreign powers in exchange for military or political support. But national will should ultimately bring the country to peace, supported by regional and international actors who are committed to negotiations and peace, reconciliation, and transitional justice. Sudan must become a nation whose only option is peace and whose future lies in restoring civilian rule.
To attain this scenario, key stakeholders must exert pressure and activate international mechanisms to stop the war today, not tomorrow. Humanitarian aid must reach those in need to alleviate their suffering. Parties and factions supporting the war must be isolated and neutralised. Civilian protection must be guaranteed. Political resolution is the only way to put an end to the conflict and give Sudan back to its people.
*The writer is the CEO of TRENDS Research & Advisory
