The MotherLand: Nubia of Old, Where has Thy Glory Gone?

As I delve into the pages of history, I cannot help but lament the fate of Sudan, once a land of vibrant cultures and ancient civilizations. The echoes of its past glory seem drowned amidst the cacophony of conflict and despair that has plagued its present.

Reflecting on my childhood, a memory emerges - my uncle, a soldier in the Nigerian Military, deployed for a peacekeeping mission in Sudan. It was my first encounter with the grim reality of humanitarian crises. I kept asking my parents, why is my uncle in Sudan? Questions lingered then, and they echo louder now: why does peace elude Sudan? Why must entire generations grow up amidst turmoil, deprived of the serenity of a harmonious society?

A few months ago, I decided to study the history of African countries. Considering the lack of peace in so many countries, I thought to seek to understand what history has to say about those countries. I started with Sudan, seeking to comprehend the roots of strife in Sudan. There was a time when tranquility reigned, and communities coexisted in peace. Yet, today, a whole generation knows only the harshness of conflict. I intended to pen down these reflections, to shed light on a narrative often overshadowed by other global crises. 

As fate will have it, a dear sister Eman O. Elimam reached out to me via LinkedIn, her words dripped with anguish, highlighting the plight of women and girls amidst decades of turmoil, lack of access to healthcare, education, livelihood means amidst so many other issues. As a women’s advocate and someone who has lived experience of insurgency, being from northeast Nigeria and having worked in emergency response in communities affected by the humanitarian crisis in my region, I immediately felt very deep empathy for the plight of those affected by this ongoing crisis especially our women and girls, who are most affected by instability and lack of peace and security. 

In Emans' poignant words lies a call to action, a summons to confront the stark reality of Sudan's predicament. She said:

“I was hoping to reach out to you as I believe you're capable of voicing the concerns of unprivileged minorities.

I'm originally Sudanese, and with the happening war in Sudan, women have been a war target and victims, not only that but education has been on hold for months. I was privileged enough to be studying abroad, but my family and relatives in Sudan are suffering from such circumstances.

Unfortunately, media outreach is weak and the network has been cut off most parts of Sudan and it breaks my heart that there is no one speaking about how this is a violation of basic human and women rights of safety and education.” 

Firstly, I will admit I have felt very powerless several times when I think about the myriad humanitarian and development issues burdening my continent, there are no simple solutions, no linear pathways to improving the dire situations that many Africans face today. Eiman echoes the same sentiment, however, she reminded me about speaking up and using our voices to bring about whatever little change we can. Raising awareness is one step towards possible advancement. In her words: 

“I don't believe there is a specific intervention capable of stopping what's happening, but I do believe spreading the word is the first step of a solution.”  

This lack of hope in imminent improvement is something that most young Africans share, we understand what the issues are, we know our leaders, and whoever cares to give attention to our countries and continent has somewhat of an understanding of the problems and could in one way or another contribute to the improvement of the livelihoods of the most affected. However, it seems like the problems keep growing and compounding as the decades fly by. I do believe that we can do something, chip off the big gruesome block little by little. Now the question is how can we help? Where do we begin?

Perhaps a glance at details and numbers offers a semblance of understanding. From colonial legacies to internal power struggles, a myriad of factors has fueled the flames of discord leading to Sudan as a country being separated into two countries in 2011, Sudan and South Sudan. 

South Sudan

South Sudan, with its capital in Juba, gained independence in 2011 after decades of conflict and continues to face severe humanitarian and development challenges despite its rich oil resources, leading to ongoing instability and poverty.

Since the start of South Sudan's civil war in December 2013, the country has experienced ongoing violence and stalled efforts for stable governance, with a critical upcoming general election as part of the extended peace agreement process.

Over a decade of conflict has made South Sudan one of the largest refugee crises in Africa, with over 4 million displaced, while recent instability in neighboring Sudan has complicated the situation further by prompting the return of many refugees to areas of high need, exacerbating economic and humanitarian challenges.

South Sudan faces escalating natural disasters and climate change impacts, with increased temperatures and altered rainfall patterns exacerbating the vulnerability of its land-dependent population, intensifying both humanitarian crises and conflicts over resources.

More than half of the population in South Sudan, about 50 million people will face crisis levels of hunger and according to humanitarian agencies, funding cuts exacerbate the problem. This as we all know impacts women and girls more than any other population demographic. 

Sudan

In a recent piece earlier this month, The New York Times attempted to explain the civil war in Sudan that has displaced over 9.2 million people, creating the world's largest displacement crisis.

The conflict between two rival generals in Sudan that started in April of 2023 has caused over a year of devastating violence. As fighting continues with little hope of resolution, the United Nations warns of an impending famine that could affect millions. The war has rapidly transformed the capital, Khartoum, into a battleground, with over a third of Sudan's 48 million people facing acute hunger and nearly 230,000 malnourished children at risk of dying without urgent aid.

The ongoing conflict in Sudan has led to the closure of hospitals, schools, and universities, widespread looting, mounting atrocities in Darfur, and the displacement of 9.2 million people, with 7.1 million remaining inside Sudan and 2.1 million fleeing to neighboring countries.

Despite international pledges of over $2.1 billion in aid for Sudan, diplomatic efforts for a cease-fire have failed, and humanitarian agencies face severe challenges, raising only $430 million of the $2.7 billion needed by this month.

International Involvement and Interests 

Both Sudan and South Sudan are major mineral-producing countries. Sudan is the third largest gold producer in Africa, with a 50,000,000kg production in 2022 in addition to other minerals like nickel, cobalt, and graphite which are very rare elements with demand increasing by 15% in the past year.

South Sudan produces about 8 million tons of copper and also produces gold, diamond, and lithium in significant proportions in addition to its oil resources. 

It is very obvious that both countries are very rich in mineral resources, and the vultures are hovering trying to pick these countries apart so that they can get away with these riches. This is a major reason for international interest in these countries. This is the case for most African countries that have been experiencing decades of unrest, it is because they have very rich resources. With military weapons shipped in from outside of Africa, and international influences encouraging or supporting sections of the war mongers. It is just sad to see that citizens of these countries suffer despite their countries' riches because of the selfishness of their leaders and international influences from the global west and the Middle East. 

The United Nations, in its noble pursuit of peace, has endeavored to stabilize Sudan/South Sudan through peacekeeping efforts. Yet, despite substantial investments in resources and manpower, peace remains elusive. The figures speak volumes, billions spent over decades, yet the cycle of violence persists, overshadowed by other geopolitical hotspots in global media coverage.

Comparisons with regions like Ukraine and Gaza reveal a stark discrepancy in attention. While these areas rightfully command international concern, the disproportionate focus neglects the staggering human toll exacted by Sudan/South Sudan's conflicts. Lives lost, families shattered, futures stolen - the casualties in these countries’ strife far outnumber those of more widely reported crises.

Call To Action

While there are so many international meetings being held by the UN and other bodies to intervene in these countries in addition to intervention programs by several INGOs, NGOs, and organizations, sanctions on the flow of military materials, coupled with strategic policy shifts, offer avenues for disrupting the cycle of violence. Community participation in decision-making and investing in trauma support services is imperative to begin the healing journey of the deep scars inflicted by years of conflict. The benefits are not only for the citizens but also for the possible economic advancement of these countries and their contributions to global economic growth with stability of governance and peace. 

We also need the expansion of intervention programs in Sudan and South Sudan. This could include:

• Increased Comprehensive Peacebuilding Initiatives:

Increased support of comprehensive peacebuilding initiatives that address both immediate and long-term causes of conflict in Sudan and South Sudan. These initiatives involve local communities, international organizations, and regional partners. Focus areas should include disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) of combatants, promotion of dialogue between conflicting parties, and the establishment of inclusive governance structures. This can be implemented through

     - Establishment of community-based peace committees to facilitate dialogue and reconciliation at the grassroots level.

     - Support of local NGOs and civil society organizations in their peacebuilding efforts through funding and capacity-building programs.

     - Advocating for international diplomatic efforts to mediate conflicts and ensure that peace agreements are inclusive and comprehensive.

• Funding for Women's Empowerment and Protection Programs:

Increased funding for designing and implementing targeted programs aimed at empowering and protecting women and girls in conflict-affected areas of Sudan and South Sudan. These programs should focus on improving access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities while ensuring the safety and security of women and girls. This includes:

     - Establishing safe spaces and support centers for women and girls who are victims of violence and provide them with psychosocial support, legal assistance, and vocational training.

     - Partnering with international organizations to fund and support educational programs for girls, ensuring their right to education even in conflict zones.

     - Implementing policies that protect women's rights and promote gender equality, such as enforcing laws against gender-based violence and ensuring women's participation in peace negotiations and decision-making processes.

• Improved Humanitarian Aid and Sustainable Development:

Investing in sustainable development projects and ensuring the provision of humanitarian aid to address the immediate needs of the population while laying the foundation for long-term stability and growth. This includes addressing food security, healthcare, infrastructure development, and climate resilience. It will involve

     - Collaborating with international donors and development agencies to fund large-scale agricultural projects that improve food security and create employment opportunities.

     - Strengthen healthcare systems by building and equipping medical facilities, training healthcare workers, and ensuring access to essential medicines and services.

     - Develop infrastructure projects that improve access to clean water, sanitation, and renewable energy sources, reducing the impact of climate change and natural disasters on vulnerable communities.

As mentioned earlier in this piece, I understand that there are no linear solutions, there may be little progress for a long time and there may be setbacks. The call to action above is a reminder that we can do something, and we must. Let us, as global citizens, rally behind the cause of peace, for the sake of Sudan and South Sudan's past glory and its hopeful future. I stand with the citizens of Sudan and South Sudan; I stand with women and girls.