Conflicts

 

                                                                      Soudan Soldier

                                                                 Watercolor by Anmarie

Armed conflicts never solve geopolitical problems, and they sometimes last a very long time. Sudan is in a forgotten war, deliberately ignored by the world because of its complexity. Rebels clash with government troops while the weakened population has been suffering from famine for decades, causing an unprecedented global crisis in the region.
They often cause more suffering than concrete solutions, leaving fractured societies, weakened economies, and generations marked by the loss of loved ones. Force does not guarantee peace; only dialogue and cooperation can. Rather than resolving disagreements, wars reinforce mistrust and prolong instability. Destroy cities, countryside, lives, structures, and historical sites. Countries can sometimes take a century to rebuild afterward.
It is crucial to rethink our methods for resolving conflicts. We must invest in preventive diplomacy, peace education, and structures to promote international mediation, rather than consider war as inevitable. Societies that listen to and seek compromise foster innovative solutions, meeting the aspirations of people without violence. Humanity should exchange weapons for speech to build bridges instead of walls. Wars are expensive and harm the economy and budgets of countries, which could invest that money in science and education.
Adopting this perspective involves revisiting collective memory, listening to the stories of survivors and affected communities to draw lasting lessons for the future. We must recognize the resilience of those who, despite the scars of war, work to rebuild the social fabric and promote peaceful values. Moreover, citizen engagement is crucial: by participating in solidarity actions and by supporting access to education and culture, everyone helps to ease tensions and promote mutual respect. In short, relying on collective intelligence and human creativity fosters true peace based on shared justice and dignity. Numerous current examples show how a strong commitment to peace can transform the destiny of nations on a global scale. Disarmament actions, reconciliation processes, and intercultural exchanges show the great potential of human cooperation. We must draw inspiration from the successes of multilateral dialog, where understanding the other is more important than victory. By focusing on conflict prevention through education, exchanges, and diplomacy, societies avoid losses and cultivate a culture of respect and shared responsibility. This ambitious horizon requires collective mobilization and a continuous questioning of our governance models and priorities as a global community. Finally, let's remember that peace is not just the absence of war but a dynamic process requiring vigilance, commitment, and creativity from everyone. It is based on social justice, equity, and respect for the dignity of all. By investing in these values, humanity will be able to overcome destructive cycles and build a future of solidarity and reconciliation.

 Each month, thousands of Sudanese flee to neighboring countries. A year after clashes between armed factions, Sudan remains at war, with 15,000 dead, eight million civilians displaced, 25 million in need of assistance, and an imminent famine. Since mid-April 2023, a wave of violence has been sweeping across the country without interruption. Humanitarian aid workers often must leave the territory due to the dangerous security situation, endangering their most courageous volunteers. Although humanitarian supplies are available in Port Sudan, they are hampered by looting of warehouses, bureaucratic obstacles, insecurity, and communication breakdowns. According to UNICEF, children are the main victims. The older ones are forcibly recruited by armed groups. Women and girls have been raped, leading to new pregnancies. Some are too weak to feed their babies. We are entering a vicious cycle that is difficult to break. Militias are killing people based on their ethnicity. A ceasefire seems impossible; the international community must bring the opponents to dialogue to avoid disaster for the Sudanese people, and the future of Africa's third-largest country is at stake. The survival of millions of people is at risk, as well as the stability of a region exacerbated by a growing famine. This war is destroying agriculture, businesses, and national economies; after this, it will be complex to get the economy back on track.