U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivered a stern call to action on Thursday, urging countries involved in Sudan’s ongoing conflict to stop fueling the war and instead use their resources to alleviate the suffering of the Sudanese people. Addressing the United Nations Security Council, Blinken said, “Enough. Use your resources to ease Sudanese suffering, not deepen it. Use your influence to end the war, not perpetuate it.”
The conflict, which began in April 2023, stems from a violent power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The fighting has created the world’s largest displacement and hunger crisis, with nearly 25 million people—half of Sudan’s population—now in need of humanitarian aid. Over 11 million have been forced to flee their homes, with nearly 3 million seeking refuge in other countries.
Allegations of External Military Support
International concerns have grown over reports of external military support to the warring factions. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has denied providing aid to the RSF, despite independent U.N. experts finding credible evidence to the contrary. Meanwhile, sources have told Reuters that the Sudanese army has acquired Iranian-made drones, an accusation the army denies.
Russia has also faced scrutiny for its involvement. The country vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution on Sudan last month and has been accused of providing military support to Sudanese forces. A plane downed in Sudan’s North Darfur in October was reportedly crewed by Russians and used to resupply Sudanese troops. Russia’s U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia rejected the allegations, calling them baseless.
“We stress that we will continue to decisively suppress any attempts to encroach upon the sovereignty of this brotherly country,” Nebenzia stated, adding that Russia opposes one-sided solutions to the conflict.
The UAE’s U.N. Ambassador Mohamed Issa Abushahab echoed calls for peace, saying, “The UAE calls on the warring parties to cease hostilities and put the Sudanese people ahead of their military objectives.”
Humanitarian Crisis
The conflict has plunged Sudan into a dire humanitarian crisis. Famine conditions have emerged in displacement camps, and the U.N. warns that the situation is deteriorating rapidly. Blinken emphasized the need for tangible actions from countries claiming to care about Sudan’s future.
“Don’t just claim to be concerned about Sudan’s future, prove it,” Blinken urged.
As Sudan remains mired in violence and humanitarian catastrophe, the international community faces mounting pressure to push for peace and prioritize the well-being of the Sudanese people over political or military interests.