Pope Francis called on both sides of the conflict in Sudan this Sunday to end the ongoing war that has lasted for 10 months, resulting in the displacement of millions and sparking warnings of a potential famine.
Pope Francis stated, “I once again urge the warring parties to put an end to this conflict that inflicts so much harm on the people and the future of the country.” He added, “Let us pray for the swift discovery of paths to peace for the beloved Sudan.”
So far, diplomatic efforts have been unsuccessful in halting the civil war in Sudan, which is being waged between the armed forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. In his weekly address, Pope Francis also highlighted conflicts in Mozambique, Ukraine, Israel, and the Palestinian territories.
He remarked, “Wherever there is fighting, the people are exhausted. They are tired of war, which is always futile and inconclusive and only brings death and destruction, never leading to a solution to the problem.”
The recent war in Sudan, which started in April 2023, involves conflict between two key factions within the country’s military government: the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) under the command of Hemedti. The conflict has primarily unfolded in the capital, Khartoum, and the Darfur region. As of January 2024, the war has resulted in thousands of deaths and injuries, and has displaced millions of people within Sudan and to neighboring countries. The 2023 Masalit massacres are among the tragic outcomes of this conflict, with numerous civilians in Darfur reported dead.
The background to this crisis traces back to Sudan’s rocky transition to civilian rule after the ousting of former President Omar Hassan El-Bashir in 2019. The transitional government established through a power-sharing agreement was overturned by a military coup in 2021. Despite an agreement in December 2022 aimed at restoring a civilian government, political and economic turmoil has persisted, leading to increased communal clashes and violence.
The fighting represents a departure from previous conflicts in Sudan, with the SAF battling a paramilitary force created by the previous regime. The RSF is legally recognized and was sustained as an instrument of state power, complicating the situation further. International reactions have been swift, with global and regional calls for cessation of hostilities. The “Quad for Sudan” (comprising the U.S., U.K., UAE, and Saudi Arabia), the U.N., and the African Union Peace and Security Council, among others, have all urged for a halt to the violence and a return to negotiations.
