US intelligence reports have raised alarms about the potential transformation of Sudan into an “ideal environment” for terrorist networks and a haven for international criminal groups.
The reports highlight concerns over the civil war between the army and the Rapid Support Forces possibly extending beyond Sudan’s borders, in addition to the serious threats faced by millions of Sudanese at risk of starvation.
According to “Sudan Monitor,” the US National Intelligence Office’s annual threat assessment for 2024 warns of Sudan becoming a “haven for terrorism.”
The report points out that the ongoing conflict in Sudan, given its geographical position between the Horn of Africa, the Sahel region, and North Africa, could once again provide a perfect environment for terrorist and criminal networks.
The American report predicts that branches of ISIS and Al-Qaeda will continue to expand across the African continent, including increased activity by ISIS in western Sudan.
“ISIS in the Greater Sahara and in West Africa contributes to destabilization, and governments employ it in their sectarian conflicts and struggles with marginalized groups to gain advantages, especially in Nigeria and the Sahel region,” the report states.
Furthermore, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warned of potentially catastrophic losses of life in Sudan as hunger worsens due to the civil war. UNICEF has called for widespread mobilization of resources to address the crisis.
The situation in Sudan presents a critical challenge for international security, highlighting the urgent need for global cooperation to prevent the country from becoming a breeding ground for terrorism and to alleviate the humanitarian crisis affecting millions of its citizens.
