Editorial | Why American pressure on regional actors is critical to ending Sudan fighting

EDITORIAL, MAY 19, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – Sudan has been facing a crisis of conflict and violence for more than a month’s now, with significant impacts on the lives of civilians and the overall stability of the region.

Recent clashes between the army and the Rapid Support Forces in Southern Darfur State, resulting in the death of nearly 20 civilians, as well as the fact that the capital Khartoum is being reduced into a ghost town, highlight the urgent need for action to put an end to the conflict.

One key factor in the perpetuation of violence in Sudan has been the involvement of regional actors.

Neighboring countries, including Libya, Egypt and Chad, have all been implicated in arming and supporting various armed groups, fueling the conflict and making a peaceful resolution seem nearly impossible.

Immediate pressure from the United States on these regional actors is necessary to bring an end to the conflict in Sudan. The US has both the diplomatic and economic power to significantly influence these actors and compel them to cease their support for armed groups perpetuating the conflict.

Additionally, the United States has historically played an influential role in Sudan, and it is thus well-positioned to mediate peace talks and negotiations. Its involvement in facilitating the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement between North and South Sudan provides a compelling case in point.

Furthermore, the US has previously been willing to take action on behalf of the Sudanese people. The imposition of sanctions on the country in 1997, due to its human rights abuses, remains one of the most restrictive measures ever imposed by the US against a sub-Saharan African country. A similar approach can be taken today to pressure regional actors to stop supporting armed groups and put an end to the conflict in Sudan.

The consequences of continued destabilization and conflict in Sudan are dire. The ongoing fighting has caused the displacement of millions of civilians, significant economic decline, and the loss of countless lives. The United States must take immediate action to pressure regional actors to cease their support for these armed groups and facilitate a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

In conclusion, the role of the United States in ending the conflict in Sudan through pressuring regional actors cannot be overstated. Time is of the essence, and the US must take swift and decisive action before more lives are lost.