On May 22nd, the ceasefire in Sudan was violated only moments after it had been implemented. The ceasefire agreement, brokered by the United States and Saudi Arabia, aimed to allow humanitarian aid to reach those in Khartoum and allow people currently trapped in the country to flee.  While the humanitarian truce has failed, it has still provided those living in Sudan with relative peace, with some venturing cautiously out into the streets in search of resources.  After the initial breach, there have been further breaches from both the Sudanese military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Both sides maintain that the breach in ceasefire was initiated by the other side.

During an emergency session on Sudan at the UN Human Rights Council in early May, UN experts condemned the human rights violations that have occurred since the military coup in October 2021 and the conflict that has erupted in its wake.  UN experts attending this session stated that the conflict has “led to the death of hundreds of civilians, thousands injured, increased levels of sexual and gender-based violence, mass internal and external displacement, and destruction of property.”  According to Executive Director of the organization DefendDefenders, Hassan Shire, the human rights abuses demonstrate the absolute necessity for some kind of resolution to the conflict, as well as accountability on both sides of the fighting.

The repeated failure of ceasefire attempts raises the question of alternative diplomatic routes to peace or respite from the conflict.  While there has been some international mediation, from the United States, UAE, and Saudi Arabia, it seems that other nations are reluctant to intervene.  Evidence of this can be seen by some countries continuing to fund the RSF. Those countries should cease to provide this funding to promote peace and consequences for human rights violations. Another huge player which has not yet acted as a mediator is the African Union.  While the African Union has condemned the human rights violations and encouraged peace talks, it has not intervened.  This conflict has the potential to lead to huge security risks in the horn of Africa, and therefore is of huge concern to the Union.

The conflict between the Sudanese military and the RSF began after they both carried out a military coup in 2021.  This coup legitimised both groups, leading to the current power struggle.  During this period of conflict, hundreds have been killed and thousands have been injured, often left without hospital resources.  The climate crisis has also exacerbated casualties, as Sudan is in a region heavily affected by climate change, with many of the victims of the conflict being displaced and subjected to droughts and very high temperatures.

If this conflict intensifies it could become a full-blown civil war, which could mean disaster for the region, which is already grappling with conflict in Ethiopia and Somalia.  It is imperative that a resolution is reached quickly and alternative routes such as sanctions and mediations, particularly with the African Union are explored whilst ceasefires prove to be ineffective.