Peace remains elusive in Sudan as both military factions pursue absolute victory over negotiations, exacerbating humanitarian crises and displacing millions. Recent violence highlights ongoing atrocities, including serious offenses against children, while the international community grapples with potential genocide. The Catholic Church advocates for peace and protection of life amidst the turmoil.
In Sudan, achieving peace is increasingly difficult as both factions exhibit an unwavering commitment to absolute victory rather than pursuing negotiations, according to Father John Gbemboyo, a representative of the Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference. His comments follow a recent tragic incident in Omdurman, where at least 120 individuals lost their lives due to indiscriminate shelling amidst ongoing hostilities between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces.
The violent clashes in Sudan began on April 15, 2023, between the SAF, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF, under Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. Previously allies in ousting President Omar al-Bashir in 2019, the two military factions have since turned against each other, undermining the Transitional Government and reigniting conflict over power and resources.
The ongoing fighting has led to thousands of deaths and has displaced over 11.5 million people, resulting in a dire humanitarian situation. Father Gbemboyo highlighted the lack of safe corridors for delivering crucial aid, stating that the ongoing war exacerbates already critical conditions faced by the people of Sudan.
With half of Sudan’s population—approximately 25 million—requiring humanitarian assistance, extreme shortages of food, water, medicine, and fuel significantly worsen the crisis. Reports indicate that over 25 million are suffering acute food insecurity, with a concerning 8.5 million facing emergency levels of hunger.
Children have been particularly affected, with UNICEF reporting over 600 incidents of severe violations against minors amid the escalated conflict in 2024. Many of these violations involve killings and injuries, predominantly in regions like Darfur, Kordofan, and Khartoum.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has raised alarms regarding potential genocide in Sudan, condemning the RSF for its targeted violence against women and girls from specific ethnic groups. He asserted that these forces deliberately attacked fleeing civilians and obstructed access to critical supplies for the remaining populace.
In light of these developments, the Catholic Church remains committed to its ethos of protecting human life. Father Gbemboyo emphatically stated, “The Church believes in the protection of life at all costs because no one has a right to take another person’s life.”
He expressed concern that the extreme positions of both warring factions diminish the chances for a negotiated peace, asserting a mindset of “either victory or death” hinders efforts toward a mutually beneficial resolution. Nevertheless, he emphasized the Church’s persistent call for peace in Sudan, where Bishops have frequently urged an end to the conflict and appealed to the international community for assistance.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan represents a culmination of power struggles between military factions that previously worked together to depose a longstanding dictator. The transition to a democratic government was short-lived, ultimately leading to renewed hostilities that have resulted in widespread violence, humanitarian crises, and significant displacement. This has elicited international concern regarding the severe humanitarian impact and potential violations of human rights during the conflict.
The dire humanitarian crisis in Sudan, fueled by the unwavering pursuit of victory by both warring factions, presents significant challenges to establishing peace. The Catholic Church’s commitment to safeguarding life and advocating for a resolution underscores the urgent need for international support and action to alleviate the suffering of the Sudanese people and encourage a return to negotiations.
Original Source: cruxnow.com
