Escalating humanitarian disaster in Darfur. Yet this time, no worldwide outcry.

From 2003 to 2005, the Darfur region of Sudan drew global attention as the government, amidst internal turmoil, executed a campaign of mass extermination against an estimated thousands of ethnic Darfuri individuals.

Almost two decades later, the nation has descended into a new civil war that has resulted in the world’s most significant humanitarian catastrophe, with approximately 25 million people, or half of Sudan’s populace, suffering from extreme hunger and 12 million uprooted from their residences, as reported by the U.N.’s World Food Program.

However, unlike before, the global community is ignoring this crisis, lamented experts on Sudan during a panel discussion on April 15, titled “Sudan in Crisis: A Civil War, Humanitarian Emergency, and the Consequences for a Nation and Region,” hosted by the JFK Jr. Forum’s Institute of Politics. Moderating the event was Zoe Marks, Oppenheimer Faculty Director of the Center for African Studies at Harvard.

“This is a dreadful disaster, and far too little attention has been given to it,” stated Mai Hassan, faculty director of MIT-Africa. “To say that Sudan is facing a crisis or that it is under siege is an understatement. Over 150,000 individuals have perished in this conflict. More than 10 million have been displaced, and over 10 million are confronting severe hunger or famine.”

“To say that Sudan is facing a crisis or that it is under siege is an understatement.”

Mai Hassan,  MIT-Africa

The two-year-long struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has resulted in the death of 150,000 people and shows no indication of slowing down. Hamid El-Bashir, a development expert originally from Sudan who participated remotely from Washington, D.C., expressed his disappointment at the international community’s lack of concern.

“When you observe the global response to the situation in Sudan, there is no response at all,” remarked El-Bashir. “I was present at the General Assembly a few months ago, and I reached this conclusion: Sudan is on the brink of collapse … There is no focus on this nation.”

Two decades ago, the global advocacy campaign “Save Darfur” galvanized an international reaction to denounce the atrocities and drive peace initiatives in the area. In 2004, the U.S. government accused the Sudanese regime and pro-government Arab militias before the U.N. Security Council of committing acts of genocide.

Alex de Waal, executive director of the World Peace Foundation, reminisced about a visit he made back then to Harvard to discuss the Darfur genocide, recognized as the first genocide of the 21st century.

“I recall being in this forum 20 years ago,” said de Waal. “There was a vividly active movement here and on other campuses, advocating for ‘Save Darfur’ and ‘Never Again’ to genocide. What has become of that enthusiasm and commitment? The celebrities who were vocal then are notably silent now.”

Nestled in northeast Africa, Sudan ranks among the largest nations on the continent and possesses a pivotal location adjacent to Egypt to the north and the Red Sea to the east. The civil war in Sudan has spilled into neighboring regions, resulting in thousands of refugees fleeing to South Sudan, Chad, and Egypt. The conflict is being exacerbated by regional powers backing the factions within Sudan, potentially leading to further instability, as stated by David Miliband, president and CEO of the International Rescue Committee.

“It’s not straightforward to categorize one side as a unified SAF and the other as a unified RSF, as both emerged from the Sudanese armed forces,” explained Miliband. “Multiple forces are backing each faction. The United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Russia, Iran, and Egypt are all involved, supporting various sides sufficiently to foster the belief that both can prevail, and there’s no incentive to halt the conflict.”

A student inquired about strategies to galvanize international support to halt the civil war. The panelists underscored the importance of endorsing humanitarian assistance, initiating a broad movement to demand a ceasefire, and commencing a peace process that includes civilians, the United Nations, and Middle Eastern powers.

There must also be pressure applied to the regional powers fueling the conflict, according to Miliband, but the priority is to deliver humanitarian assistance. A community-driven initiative established in Sudan in 2019, the Emergency Response Rooms, has mobilized in response since the onset of conflict.

“Firstly, you must prevent matters from deteriorating,” advised Miliband. “Halting the downward spiral is crucial. I always say humanitarian aid is the initial step on the path to development. Unless you can stop the situation from worsening, unless you staunch the bleeding, we will lose more lives, and every act of violence leads to greater peril.”

For MIT-Africa’s Hassan, the scenario is critical and demands international intervention. She remains optimistic that Sudanese civil society will mobilize once more despite the obstacles.

“What’s tragic about this scenario, beyond the harsh realities, is that it follows a vibrant popular revolution that toppled a loathed Islamist regime,” remarking on the 2019 military coup, which occurred after a year of extensive protests that ousted dictator Omar al-Bashir, who had ruled for 30 years.

“I am hopeful that civil society will once again be activated in some manner to lend legitimacy to whatever new governance arises or when a peaceful resolution is achieved,” stated Hassan. “It will necessitate popular mobilization. I believe civil society can be re-energized.”