As of January 2025, the brutal war in Sudan seems to be nearing a conclusion, with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) making significant territorial advances against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The recapture of Wad Madani, a key city in the Gezira state, marks a critical turning point in the conflict.
This victory, however, is part of a wider, much more brutal war that has been largely ignored by the Western world. While the international community fixates on the war in Ukraine, Sudan’s conflict has been ravaging the African nation for almost two years with far less attention and empathy.
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The Brutality of the Sudanese Conflict
The war in Sudan, which erupted in April 2023, is not just another regional conflict. It is one of the most brutal and devastating wars in recent memory, yet it has failed to capture the same level of global attention as the war in Ukraine. Since the conflict began, hundreds of thousands of civilians have been killed, and millions have been displaced. The fighting has been characterized by widespread atrocities, including massacres, sexual violence, and the deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure. Unlike the more conventional warfare seen in Ukraine, Sudan’s war has descended into a deeply personal and savage struggle, with both sides committing egregious human rights violations.
This war has played out in the streets of Khartoum and other urban areas, but it has also decimated rural communities, with entire villages destroyed by airstrikes, artillery bombardments, and brutal ground combat. The RSF, a paramilitary group formed from former militia factions, has been accused of horrific crimes, including the ethnic cleansing of certain regions and the use of child soldiers. The SAF, though more organized, has also been responsible for heavy civilian casualties, particularly in its efforts to dislodge the RSF from populated areas.
In contrast, the war in Ukraine, while devastating in its own right, has received a far more significant amount of international media coverage and political attention. The Western world has rallied around Ukraine with an outpouring of financial, military, and diplomatic support, seeing it as a battle between good and evil, a fight for democracy against Russian aggression. However, Sudan’s war, which has been just as brutal, has not seen the same level of empathy or intervention. The international community has largely turned a blind eye to the suffering of Sudanese civilians, and much of the media coverage surrounding the conflict has been sparse, at best.
The Lack of Western Attention to African Struggles
One of the most glaring aspects of the Sudanese conflict is the stark contrast in global attention when compared to other wars, particularly in Europe. While the war in Ukraine has seen a unified response from Western nations, Sudan’s war has been left largely to fester in the shadows. The reasons for this disparity are complex, but they are rooted in a long history of neglect and indifference toward African struggles.
There is a deeply entrenched racial and geopolitical bias in how conflicts are covered and addressed by Western governments and media. African wars, especially those in countries like Sudan, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic, are often viewed through a lens of apathy. These conflicts are frequently described as “tribal” or “civil” wars, as if they are somehow less important or less worthy of international attention than wars in Europe or the Middle East. This bias is not new; it has been a persistent feature of Western foreign policy and media coverage for decades.
The war in Sudan is not just a conflict between two factions; it is a reflection of the deep political and ethnic divisions that have plagued the country for generations. The roots of the current war can be traced back to the Sudanese Civil War (1983–2005), which led to the secession of South Sudan. Since then, Sudan has been in a state of political turmoil, with multiple coups, uprisings, and failed peace agreements. The current war is the culmination of these long-standing issues, and yet it has been treated as a distant and secondary concern in the West.
The Human Cost of the War
While the international community focuses on the war in Ukraine, the human cost of the Sudanese conflict continues to mount. The humanitarian situation in Sudan is dire, with over 4.5 million people displaced internally and another 1.5 million seeking refuge in neighboring countries. The country’s infrastructure has been decimated, and basic services such as healthcare, education, and food distribution have collapsed in many areas. The lack of international intervention has left Sudanese civilians to suffer in a war that shows no signs of abating.
The global indifference to Sudan’s suffering is especially glaring when compared to the outpouring of support for Ukraine. While Ukraine has received billions in aid, Sudan has received only a fraction of that amount, and much of the aid that has been pledged has been slow to arrive or insufficient to meet the needs of the people. In addition, the international community’s response has been largely limited to calls for ceasefires and peace talks, with little to no meaningful action taken to stop the violence on the ground.
The Future of Sudan and Its Tourism Industry
As the conflict seems to be winding down with the SAF gaining the upper hand, there are signs that Sudan may begin to reopen to the outside world. Port Sudan Airport has resumed operations, and flights are now available, albeit at exorbitant prices. However, the country remains a dangerous place to visit, with Khartoum’s airport still closed and many tourist visas being refused.
Tourism in Sudan, once a promising sector, has been severely impacted by the war. The country’s rich history, including the ancient pyramids of Meroë and the vibrant culture of Khartoum, had once drawn tourists from around the world. But with the conflict still ongoing, Sudan remains a destination for only the most daring travelers, those willing to take the risk of visiting a country in turmoil.
Conclusion
The war in Sudan has been a brutal and devastating conflict, far more savage than many realize. While the world has rallied behind Ukraine, Sudan’s war has largely been ignored, a stark reminder of the West’s ongoing indifference to the suffering of black Africans. The conflict in Sudan is a tragic example of how geopolitical biases and racial prejudices shape global responses to conflict, and how African nations continue to be left to fend for themselves. As Sudan slowly emerges from the ashes of war, it remains to be seen whether the international community will finally take notice of its suffering and help rebuild a nation torn apart by years of violence and neglect.