The Sudanese Humanitarian Crisis: A Call for Peace
As Sudan faces a serious humanitarian emergency due to the ongoing civil war and forced displacement, the country’s bishops support peace talks to mitigate the “dreadful” humanitarian consequences.
At Sunday’s Angelus, Pope Francis commended to the Lord the victims of all countries subject to wars and violence, including Sudan, as the country grapples with conflict in all corners of its major cities.
The humanitarian crisis continues in Sudan as US-brokered talks between the Sudanese Rapid Support (RSF) and Armed (SAF) Forces extend across recent weeks, with little progress forward.
Commentators say this is partly due to the RSF drone assassination attempt on Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Sudan’s military leader, during the military graduation ceremony on July 31 that killed five people.
Sudanese priest: ‘A dreadful situation’
In an interview with the Vatican’s Fides News Agency, Fr. Biong Kwol Deng of the al-Ubayyid Diocese describes the “dreadful situation” in Sudan and the capital city, Khartoum. Forced to relocate to Juba in South Sudan, he highlights the challenges faced by the Church in providing assistance to refugees.
South Sudan has seen an influx of migrants from conflict-hit regions in Sudan, exacerbating the already dire conditions of water, food, and medicine shortages.
Despite the challenges, the local Church is actively involved in providing aid to the displaced persons in both Sudan and South Sudan. However, the constant conflict and fighting have made it difficult for refugees to find safety.
US-brokered peace talks
Peace talks, sponsored by the United States, are set to take place in Geneva on Wednesday. However, the participation of the Sudanese government and SAF remains uncertain after previous talks in Jeddah failed to reach an agreement.
The exclusion of certain Sudanese groups, like the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, has sparked controversy and raised questions about the inclusivity of the peace process.
The situation in Sudan remains precarious, but with continued efforts and support for peace talks, there is hope for a resolution to the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
