Sudan, one of Africa’s largest nations, is currently enduring what many describe as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, following 18 months of violent conflict. The fighting between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group that once backed the government, has ravaged the country, displacing millions. Despite the scale of the catastrophe, global attention remains focused elsewhere, and international aid efforts have been hampered by the inaccessibility of the region.
I wrote this piece for the Conversation @TC_Africa. Sudan risks descending into a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, and the international community is turning a blind eye
Sudan is burning and foreign powers are benefiting – what’s in it for the UAE https://t.co/1jvMwVMrZT— Dr May Darwich (@may_darwich) September 12, 2024
NPR’s Emmanuel Akinwotu, who entered Sudan, described scenes of devastation that seem almost apocalyptic. The streets of Omdurman, a city near the capital Khartoum, are deserted and covered in the debris of daily life, with buildings punctured by bullet holes. A once-bustling marketplace now lies in ruins. The needs of the population are immense—half of Sudan’s citizens are facing severe hunger, and some areas are close to famine. Aid deliveries have been limited due to a lack of safe access routes, and even if those routes were available, the amount of aid being sent is insufficient. Many in Sudan feel abandoned by the global community and have resigned themselves to relying on their own resources for survival.
Amid the destruction, local citizens like Somaya and Mustapha have stayed behind after evacuating their children, running a community kitchen that feeds tens of thousands of people. Their actions reflect the resilience of the Sudanese people, who continue to support one another as they struggle through the crisis.
In a separate story, a federal trial began in Memphis, where three former police officers are facing charges for violating the civil rights of Tyre Nichols, a Black man who died following a violent encounter with police after a traffic stop. All three officers involved are also Black, and they are accused of using excessive force and attempting to cover up their actions. Surveillance footage captured the officers restraining, kicking, and beating Nichols, who died three days later from his injuries. The prosecution introduced the term “Run Tax,” used by the officers to describe punitive actions taken against those who tried to flee from them.
How Sudan’s devastating civil war became a global battleground—As @UN officials warned that Sudan was at a “catastrophic, cataclysmic breaking point”, last month new US-led talks aimed at ending the war began in Geneva… https://t.co/AJZFfZGukx @ftopinion @AndresSchipani
— A Reader (@A_Reader_FT) September 12, 2024
Meanwhile, grocery prices have surged by 25.6% since February 2020, leading many consumers to blame corporate greed for inflation. NPR’s analysis of the data shows a more complex picture. While grocery chains and food manufacturers have seen record profits, other factors like higher wages for workers and rising operational costs have driven much of the inflation. During the pandemic, food manufacturers experienced an increase in profitability, but margins have now returned to pre-pandemic levels. Grocery stores, however, have maintained slightly higher profits compared to other retailers since the pandemic, contributing to the perception that they are not passing on cost reductions to consumers.
Sudan continues to suffer, with its population bearing the brunt of a war that seems to have been forgotten by the world. Local heroes work to sustain their communities, while elsewhere, justice is sought for Tyre Nichols, and consumers grapple with rising prices amid ongoing inflationary pressures.
Key Points:
i. Sudan is facing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises after nearly 18 months of conflict between the Sudanese army and paramilitary forces.
ii. Millions are displaced, and half the population faces severe hunger, with limited aid due to access and safety issues.
iii. In Memphis, a federal trial for three former police officers accused of violating the civil rights of Tyre Nichols began, focusing on excessive force and a potential cover-up.
iv. Grocery prices have risen sharply since 2020, and while corporate profits soared, inflation was driven by higher wages and costs during the pandemic.
v. Despite reduced profit margins, grocery stores have held onto slightly higher sales profits than other retailers since the pandemic.
Charles William III – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News