dw.com
International Aid Pledged Amid Sudan's Devastating Civil War
The European Union and Britain pledged hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to alleviate the suffering caused by Sudan's civil war, which erupted on April 15, 2023, from a power struggle between the Sudanese army chief and a paramilitary leader, resulting in widespread famine and displacement affecting nearly half of the country's population.
- What are the underlying causes of the conflict in Sudan, and how are these factors hindering peace negotiations?
- These financial pledges underscore the dire humanitarian crisis in Sudan, resulting from the ongoing civil war between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict, rooted in a power struggle between Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, has caused widespread displacement, famine, and violence, affecting nearly half of Sudan's population. The lack of political will to achieve peace, as noted by Lammy, is exacerbating the crisis.
- What are the potential long-term regional and global implications if the conflict in Sudan continues to escalate?
- The continued conflict in Sudan poses a significant risk of regional instability, impacting neighboring countries and potentially exacerbating existing tensions. The massive displacement of 13 million people creates a humanitarian emergency and strains resources of neighboring nations. Without a substantial shift in political will and a decisive end to hostilities, the long-term consequences for Sudan and the surrounding region will be catastrophic.
- What immediate actions are being taken by the international community to alleviate the suffering caused by Sudan's civil war?
- The EU and its member states pledged €522 million ($590 million) in aid for 2025, while the UK announced £120 million (€141 million) in funding to feed 650,000 people. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock warned that humanitarian aid is insufficient without a cessation of hostilities. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy highlighted a lack of political will as the primary obstacle to peace.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article's framing emphasizes the humanitarian crisis and the international response, which is understandable given the scale of suffering. However, this emphasis might unintentionally downplay the political and military aspects of the conflict. The headline, while not explicitly biased, focuses on aid pledges rather than the deeper causes or ongoing brutality of the war. The inclusion of multiple quotes from international officials further reinforces this focus.
Language Bias
The language used is generally neutral and objective, reporting facts and figures from reputable sources. Terms like "ruinous war" and "relentless nightmare" are used in quotes from officials, but are not used in the article's own descriptive language, thereby not exhibiting clear bias. However, the repeated emphasis on the "humanitarian crisis" could be perceived as slightly minimizing the political dimensions of the conflict.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the humanitarian crisis and international response, but omits detailed analysis of the root causes of the conflict beyond a brief summary of the power struggle between al-Burhan and Dagalo. While the 2019 overthrow of al-Bashir and the 2021 coup are mentioned, the underlying political, economic, and social factors contributing to the conflict are not explored in depth. The lack of Sudanese voices beyond one political commentator could also be considered an omission, limiting a more diverse representation of perspectives.
False Dichotomy
The article doesn't present a false dichotomy in the sense of offering only two simplistic options. However, the framing of the conflict as primarily a power struggle between two individuals, while accurate in its immediate trigger, risks oversimplifying the complex web of political, ethnic, and economic factors that fueled the conflict.
Gender Bias
The article mentions the high risk of gender-based violence affecting millions of women and girls. However, it does not delve deeper into this issue, nor does it analyze gender representation in the conflict itself or in the quoted sources. The inclusion of Dallia Abdelmoneim's perspective is positive, but more diverse representation would strengthen the analysis.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights that 14 million people have been displaced and large parts of the country have been pushed into famine due to the ongoing civil war. Nearly 25 million people (half of Sudan's population) face extreme hunger, directly impacting food security and exacerbating the Zero Hunger SDG.