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Cameron Hudson

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Cameron Hudson

Sudan’s Catastrophic War and the Gap in U.S. Leadership

DATE: October 1, 2024 6:00 pm

LOCATION: Zoom Webinar only

WATCH EVENT ON YOUTUBE

Sudan’s civil war has turned into the world’s biggest humanitarian disaster, but the United States has failed to take the lead in trying to stop the war, according to our next Distinguished Speaker.

The Sudanese military, after overthrowing a civilian-led government, ignited the civil war in April last year when it split into two factions, trapping the civilian population of 47 million in the middle. As many as 150,000 civilians have died, according to the U.S. special envoy. Some 11 million have been forced from their homes, the biggest displacement in the world. Hundreds of thousands live in famine conditions, and 25 million, more than half the population, face acute hunger, according to the World Food Program.

But who’s leading the drive to end the conflict?

Our next speaker, Cameron Hudson, says Washington is not using its leverage on U.S. friends and allies, which are fueling the war by supporting both sides. Egypt, Ukraine, and Iran support the Sudan Armed Forces chief, Gen. Abdelfattah al-Burhan, while the United Arab Emirates, a U.S. ally, and the Wagner group, the Russian mercenary force, support the breakaway Rapid Support Forces. The RSF, led by Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, is rooted in the Janjaweed militia, the ground force in the suppression of Darfur 20 years ago in what the United States declared a genocide.

Mr. Hudson, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and a longtime expert on Sudan, will discuss the Sudan war and his critique of U.S. leadership at the Baltimore Council on Foreign Affairs event on October 1.

He is the former executive director at the United States Holocaust Memorial’s Center for the Prevention of Genocide and previously served at the State Department, the National Security Council, and the CIA. Full bio: https://www.csis.org/people/cameron-hudson

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For more information on this program, please email programs@bcfausa.org

Background

The Current Crisis:
Civil war erupted in Sudan on April 15, 2023, between two factions—the Sudanese Armed
Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF)—to control the state and its resources. The
conflict continues, with up to 150,000 people killed and more than 11 million displaced.
For more information, please see:
What Is Driving Violent Unrest in Sudan? (csis.org)
Sudan accuses UAE of arming rivals and prolonging war, UAE accuses Sudan of refusing to talk
peace | AP News
UN official says Sudan's war has killed at least 20,000 people – The Washington Post
How trading in war-torn Sudan survives—just (economist.com)
Member of local guard at US Embassy in Sudan killed in paramilitary RSF's custody – ABC
News (go.com)
Sudan war: Is Darfur on the brink of another genocide and will the world act this time? | CNN
Sudan’s History of Crises:
Sudan gained independence from British-Egyptian role in 1956. The country’s first civil war,
which disputed the regional autonomy of northern and southern Sudan, raged between 1955 and
1972. In 1969, Colonel Nimeiry carried out a coup and abolished parliament and political parties.
In 1983, Nimeiry introduced Sharia Islamic law; the second civil war then erupted between the
central Sudanese government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army. Approximately two
million people die as a result of the conflict, which did not end until 2005. In 2011, South Sudan
becomes independent. Between 2003 and 2020, the Sudan Liberation Movement and the Justice
and Equality Movement rebel against the government; roughly 300,000 are killed in the War in
Darfur.
For more information, please see:
Sudan country profile – BBC News
Civil War in Sudan | Global Conflict Tracker (cfr.org)

Outside Support:
Bringing More Attention to Sudan’s Crisis | Council on Foreign Relations (cfr.org)
Sudan’s Descent Into Chaos | Foreign Affairs

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Wilson Center

Forced displacement represents one of the most pressing humanitarian issues of our time. Individuals and families, torn from the fabric of their communities, find themselves navigating a world of uncertainty, often without basic necessities or a clear path to safety. There are currently some 110 million forced displaced, and this number is growing by 10 million each year!

At the heart of this crisis are the political triggers. Armed conflicts, ethnic or religious persecutions, and systemic human rights abuses force millions to flee their homes in terror. Many are displaced within their own national boundaries, while others seek asylum abroad. If these factors change as a result of political shifts at home or the pressures from abroad, they can return to their homes. Forced displacement is thus different from environmentally driven displacement, as victims of climate change may never be able to return to their homes.

The ramifications of any sort of displacement are profound, not just for those directly affected, but also for host communities and countries. Overburdened infrastructures, socio-economic strains, and cultural tensions can arise, necessitating comprehensive strategies to foster harmony and integration. Yet the root causes of forced displacement can be remedied with a concerted focus by local players and international diplomacy.

Organizations like Refugees International play a crucial role in this arena, advocating for the rights and needs of the displaced, conducting on-the-ground assessments, and influencing policymakers to take informed actions. Their relentless work underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgency ofinternational cooperation. But they, too, are overwhelmed by the rapid expansion of the crisis.

International Humanitarian Law (IHL), with its core principles centered on the protection of civilians during conflicts, plays a pivotal role in this discourse. Yet, despite clear legal frameworks, compliance remains
inconsistent. This initiative emphasizes the importance of upholding and reinforcing these international standards.

It’s not just about recognizing the problem; it’s about active engagement. We urge governments, organizations, and individuals to prioritize the rights and needs of the forced displaced. Through collective efforts, informed policies, and sustained advocacy, we can shift the narrative from passive acknowledgment to proactive intervention.