"EPIDEMIC" crisis in Sudan

How it all started!

Omar al-Bashir illegally seizure the power of previous government and took over the presidency in 1989. Since then he has been reelected several times but these election weren't democratic according to HRG ( Human Rights Group). Since coming to power he has been responsible for genocide and war crimes in Dafur (western path of main Sudan land). Sudan had just got independence in 1956 after 58 years of joint rule from Britain and Egypt. And when seized power the country was already in the middle of 21 years civil war between north and south.

   

Janjaweed ( which translates as devils on horseback) is the Arab militia active in Sudan. Musa Hilal who heads a small but powerful Darfurian Arab tribe, is suspected by the US state department of being the head of Janjaweed. For Janjaweed actions in Sudan were commanded by Mohamed Mmdan Dagalo also know as "Hemedti". More than 15000 villagers were killed by the government backed by Janjaweed between 2003 and 2004 in Dafur, about 4 millions were displaced from their main land and currently 7 million are at hunger risk. Janjaweed has also been accused of raping Sudanese women.
Sudan is formed by a lot of ethnic groups Bashir maintained it's power by keeping the minority suppressed.

Accusations against Omar al-Bashir

 Genocide

• killing members of Fur, Masalit, Zaghawo ethnic groups.
• causing bodily and mental harm.
• causing these groups to suffer from physical destruction.

war crimes

• attack on villagers in Dafur.
• sacking towns and villages.

Crime against humanity

• murder 
• extermination
• rape
• forcible transfer
• torture

What has the rest of  world done so far?

Two times the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant first in 2009 for genocide and war crimes in Dafur and another in 2010 but the case was suspended in 2014 because of lack of support from United Nation's council.

• Five counts of crime against humanity ( murder, extermination, torture, rape, forcible transfer).
• two counts of war crimes ( internationally directly attack against a civilian population and pillaging)

"The United states will no longer provide indiscriminate assistance across the entire continent. our goal is the nations of the region to take ownership over peace and security in their own neighborhood"-John Bolton ( national security Adviser of US). This shows that america wants no involvement in Sudan
.
European Union is heavily involved in Sudan, but mainly out of self interest. Sudan is a huge hub for migrants, at peak of the migration crisis Sudan had around four million refugees and was trying to displace people to Europe.  EU started Khartoum process to make the migration route safer with which EU pays millions in aid to African government and non profits to keep Africans in Africa.

United Nation Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) and United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) 

• have reconnected communities through market reviving.
• provided financial support the to women of Sudan. Women are among the poorest in the region, facing multiple challenges. lack access to education and position to have a voice, women are left out of opportunities to earn livelihood.
• built a dam in Beleil locality in south Dafur state.
• health check up and shelter camps for the suffering and localized civilians.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) have installed camps and daily checks are being carried around these camp parameters for the past three years, but still some 20 cases of rape per week are reported by each IRC. 

FAO (food and agriculture organisation) is providing new variety of seeds suited to local condition and training in techniques that will reduce losses from drought and flood.

Rape as a weapon of war

Rape is being used to revenge the entire committee by Janjaweed and Rapid Support Force (RSF:  again led by Hemedti). Some 65% of south Sudanese women have experienced rape or physical violence that's twice the global average. Victims as young as eight years old were targeted. UN investigators found that at least 175 women and girls have been raped or suffered other sexual or physical violence between September and December 2018. And to say it's not likely to be the entire picture  the actual levels are considerably higher. though attacks have been decreasing significantly since the peace accord was signed on 12 September 2018.

 ‘If we go by the main road we are raped, if we go by the bush, we are raped. I was raped among others in the same area repeatedly on three separate occasions.”- testimony to UN investigator.

 Omar al-Bashir coup, but why still the crisis?

Omar al-Bashir was overthrown by Sudan military and he resigned just 24 hours taking charge ending it's 30 years of dictatorship. Military says that Mr Bashir is in custody and has not been publically seen since coup. But he may be put in trial in Sudan itself according to military rules.

Military moved in and initially claimed to agree with civilian rule, developing a reported plan to rotate power between military and civilian. However the talks dissolved, LT Gen Awad Ibn Auf said there will be 3 months of state of emergency and two year transition period to  prepare for civilian rule but Sudanese Professional Alliance (SPA: a collaboration of doctors, lawyers and health workers.The proportion of women among the protesters has been as high as 70%. the protesters were both from minority and Arab majority) demands immediate elections and civilian rule for a long period of transition.

This led to the Pro-democracy movement led by SPA. Civilians staged a non violent protest on June 3 which had a violent response killing 52 protesters

and injuring over 700 plus civilians( data according to WHO).

Some reports have put the death count over 100, the number keeps climbing and lumps of bodies were dumped into Nile river.
To prevent their victims from reporting the crimes or asking for help from the global community, the military has shut down internet nationwide. Following the killing the SPA called for "complete civil disobedience and open political strike".

Where to donate to help the people of Sudan today-

• The World Food Program-100% volunteer run and spanning across 75 countries.[link]
• The United Nations Children's fund- works to helps children in 190 countries across the globe in need of health care.[Link]
• The International Rescue committee- offers both nutritional support and emergency medical assistance to malnourished children and women.[link]
• The University of Khartoum Alumni Association Fundraiser- created by Bakri Ali, this fundraiser on Facebook are directly working with local Sudanese volunteers, organisations and committees to assist people of Sudan with both food and medical care. They have so far managed to raise more than $375,000 but still far from their goal of $500,000. [link] .