Sudan's Crisis and the Fall of the Liberal World Order

The Deepening Crisis in Sudan

Sudan is facing a humanitarian catastrophe that has reached unprecedented levels. The country is home to the world’s worst hunger crisis, driven by over two years of devastating civil war and state collapse. This conflict has resulted in more than 150,000 deaths, with millions of people struggling to survive. The situation is equally dire when it comes to displacement, as over 12 million individuals have been forced to leave their homes. Additionally, Sudan hosts the largest education crisis for children, with up to 17 million children out of school. The United Nations projects that approximately 3.2 million children under five will suffer from acute malnutrition in the coming year.

A year ago, famine was declared in parts of the country, but this warning from the U.N. system did little to address the growing crisis or galvanize international efforts to end the conflict. In the besieged city of El Fasher, at least 63 people, mostly women and children, starved to death in the past week. Local officials reported that this number only accounts for those who managed to reach medical facilities, highlighting the severity of the situation. Aid has not entered the city for over a year, leaving residents in a daily struggle for survival.

Escalating Conflict and Human Rights Violations

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group, has renewed its offensive on El Fasher after losing its foothold in Khartoum, the capital, to the Sudanese army. Their advances have displaced tens of thousands from the nearby Zamzam displacement camp, which has itself been a target of attacks and massacres. These atrocities are particularly prevalent in Darfur, where the International Criminal Court (ICC) has found ample evidence of war crimes. The region, which previously endured a genocidal campaign by the RSF's predecessor militia, is now largely under the group's control. The territory held by the RSF has been indiscriminately bombed by the Sudanese military, while the RSF is accused of systematic rape and ethnic cleansing of non-Arab communities.

Nazhat Shameem Khan, the ICC deputy prosecutor, highlighted the gravity of the situation during her testimony to the U.N. Security Council last month. She stated that people are being deprived of water and food, and that rape and sexual violence are being weaponized. Abductions for ransom and to bolster armed groups have become common practices, raising serious concerns about ongoing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur.

Geopolitical Complexities and International Neglect

Despite the dire circumstances, there is little hope for an end to the conflict. While former President Donald Trump positioned himself as a global peacemaker, the war in Sudan has received minimal attention from the White House. The Biden administration took symbolic actions, including declaring that the RSF was committing genocide in Darfur and imposing sanctions on key leaders. However, these measures had limited impact on the ground.

The war in Sudan is influenced by a complex web of geopolitical interests involving countries such as Egypt, Turkey, Russia, and Gulf monarchies. Recent events include the Sudanese military claiming to have shot down an Emirati plane carrying Colombian mercenaries aligned with the RSF. Emirati officials rejected the accusation as "deliberate propaganda," highlighting the challenges of verifying such claims.

A Failing Global Order

The intractable nature of the conflict and the widespread suffering reflect a faltering international system. Anne Applebaum, writing in the Atlantic, described how the theoretical idea of a liberal world order has become a reality in Sudan. She noted that the consensus and stability of the post-Second World War era no longer exist, leaving a vacuum that is difficult to fill.

Bruno Maçães, a former Portuguese government minister, argued that the war in Sudan reflects a global order that aligns with Trump's policies. He pointed to the collusion between foreign policy and the military-industrial complex, the disregard for humanitarian organizations, and the tolerance of human rights-abusing regimes that claim to fight Islamists. According to Maçães, the conflict showcases the traits of the American order in its current form.

As the situation in Sudan continues to deteriorate, the international community faces a critical challenge in addressing the humanitarian crisis and finding a path to peace. The neglect and indifference shown by Western powers highlight the changing dynamics of global politics and the urgent need for coordinated action.