Faith Nyasuguta
The US President Joe Biden has called on the international community to halt the flow of weapons to Sudan’s warring generals, emphasizing the urgency of ending the conflict that has devastated the country and triggered a dire humanitarian crisis.
Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly, Biden urged countries to unite in cutting off arms supplies and demanded an immediate end to the violence.
“The world needs to stop arming the generals,” Biden declared. “Speak with one voice and tell them: ‘Stop tearing your country apart. Stop blocking aid to the Sudanese people. End this war now.'”
Biden’s plea follows his recent meeting with the leader of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in Washington. The UAE has faced widespread criticism for allegedly providing military support to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group involved in the conflict. The RSF has been accused of committing war crimes, particularly targeting ethnic African communities in Darfur.
The ongoing civil war in Sudan, which erupted in April 2023, pits the Sudanese army against the RSF, both factions vying for control of the country. The war has plunged Sudan into chaos, with violence escalating, leaving thousands dead and millions displaced.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who also addressed the General Assembly, echoed Biden’s sentiments, expressing deep frustration at the role foreign powers have played in exacerbating the conflict. He decried the ongoing interference, noting that it has only fueled the “brutal power struggle” between the two military factions.
“A humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding as famine spreads. Yet outside powers continue to interfere, with no unified approach to finding peace,” Guterres said. His comments underscored the international community’s failure to address the Sudan crisis effectively.
Despite the global community’s involvement, Biden pointed to the United States’ leadership in attempting to mediate the conflict. A US-led conference held in Switzerland last month resulted in limited agreements on improving aid access to Sudan, but the situation remains critical.
“The United States has led the world in providing humanitarian aid to Sudan, and with our partners, we have led diplomatic talks to try to silence the guns and avert a wider famine,” Biden said.
While the United States has criticized the UAE’s alleged role in supporting the RSF, Washington continues to maintain close defense ties with the Gulf nation. In a show of strategic cooperation, Biden recently designated the UAE as a “major defense partner.”
This partnership, however, has raised concerns given the UAE’s involvement in past conflicts, including its support of the RSF during the Yemen war.
In a joint statement issued on Monday, Biden and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan expressed mutual concern over the “risk of imminent atrocities” in Darfur. Both leaders called for all parties in the Sudan conflict to respect international humanitarian law and protect civilians.
Meanwhile, the Sudanese army, fighting against the RSF, has allegedly received backing from foreign nations, including Iran. The growing involvement of outside powers has further complicated efforts to broker peace in the region.
Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, also addressed the UN, calling for unified international efforts to stabilize Sudan. “We must ensure the unity of state institutions and the sovereignty and stability of Sudan,” he said, reflecting concerns about the country’s fractured governance.
The humanitarian toll of the war continues to rise. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that at least 20,000 people have been killed since the fighting began. However, US Special Envoy Tom Perriello has suggested that the actual death toll may be as high as 150,000. In addition to the human cost, more than 10 million Sudanese have been displaced, both within the country and as refugees in neighboring nations.
As the conflict drags on, international aid organizations warn that Sudan is on the brink of a catastrophic famine. A UN-backed assessment has predicted that the scale of hunger in Sudan could surpass anything seen globally in recent decades, further intensifying the urgency for a peaceful resolution.
With the situation deteriorating, the international community faces mounting pressure to end the war, prevent further atrocities, and address the dire humanitarian crisis gripping Sudan.
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