Wishing peace for Sudan- millions displaced

[MushMonster]

Just putting this here, in case you any of you have not heard much about it, as it is remains almost unreported in UK media. There are millions of people displaced, blood chilling numbers. I have donated, via Unicef. Hoping that others will too. And hoping they get a final long lasting peace agreement.

I watched a video about The Western Sahara conflict the other day, I don't think I'd ever heard of it before or at least not significantly. Tens of thousands displaced on both sides, previous use of napalm and white phosphorus on refugee camps, a massive wall full of landmines (7 million landmines in the general area). All about politics, resources and sovereignty.

In general we live in bubbles, getting only the information the media decides is important (based on their bias) unless we go and seek it out.

I'm glad of the reminder about Sudan, and the other people at risk too, trying to step outside the bubble and support if I can seems a fair aim for this year.

Absolutely

This is about Sudan indeed.
There are endless threads about Israel-Gaza. Hopefully celebrating the recent ceasefire which should start tomorrow and see families re-united, thanks God and finally!

This is about mentioning the suffering and athrocities suffered by the Sudanese. Without diminishing any others suffering, of which we have too much in this world.

I do still think that this conflict is not tribal and deserves more mention and political action. Of course I do not mean military intervention. On the contrary, I mean for the gun suppliers to stop supplying the fighters, both sides and any other para-military group operating in all this. They are also stripping the country of the resources they would have to re-build what has been destroyed.
I think we do need to care about the patterns emerging, because it could be us tomorrow. The devaluation of human life in recent conflicts does not fill me with any trust in humanity. It would be much better to live in a world without guns trade. I like the idea that if they want guns, they should be making their own. It will cost us money originally, but in the long run, we would be much better off. Plus getting back to produce as much as what is possible inside the country to be used in. Better for the environment and it will give us independance. No more trade routes affected by wars, gas supplies, petrol supplies, food supplies, insurance costs .... affected by conflicts miles and miles away. More resilence for each country. And zero tolerance on useless politics and politician who insist in being blind to the suffering they cause. None of the sudanese generals killing their own civilians seems to be giving too much thought about what they are doing to do with the country if they win? How are they going to get schools working, hospitals, food enough for the millions returning home, heal the massive scars left behind?
I do know one thing for sure. None of them is sparing a single thought about their people or their country. Nothing.

I agree, it's the world's worst humanitarian crisis and you are totally right, the devaluation of human life threatens us all. Years ago I worked in communications and PR in a non profit and I'm always interested why some crisis get "traction" and some just don't. So apologies in advance if my observations sound a little cold, I have my communications hat on here.

I think it's a little bit of racism - pick up on the Rwandan genocide was poor initially. Africans killing other Africans kind of thinking.

But in 2005 there was large movement for the people of Darfur. So people are out there are ready to support the cause:

Another reason is that it's really difficult for journalists to get access to Sudan. Journalists within Sudan have had to flee. And generally internet and media infrastructure is down in many of Sudan's states. So there is a lack of content basically. Stats are all well and good but what really gets compassion is seeing how the conflict has affected a real person. Compelling content is the single most important factor in getting attention

There is no clear "baddie" and the situation is really complex so it's hard for people to get their head around.

There also are not simple answers (and by simple I mean simple to explain rather than simple to implement)

Also people's attention is really fickle. The situation in Sudan deteriorated over a long time and the eyes of the would quickly move on. It's always the case that the attention of the world is only on one crisis at a time. I can nearly list them going backwards - Gaza now, before that Ukraine, Afghanistan in 21, bit of Myanmar in 19 for a while....I'm sure I am forgetting a few but you get my point.

That's my two pence anyway.

It's absolute heartbreaking for the people in Sudan and shameful that they aren't getting the support and compassionate response from the rest of the world.

I agree.

I have been watching what is happening in Sudan and reading about the conflict there. In fact when people talk about Gaza I have often pointed out that in terms of sheer numbers of humans there are several other conflicts that have received very little attention.

Of course it’s the Islam vs The West aspect that makes the Gaza conflict more topical. Israel is a tiny ally in a strategically vital area and fighting Islamic terrorism is a Western priority.

And of course us wringing our hands doesn’t help the desperate humans who have to live in countries at war with themselves or each other. What to do? Western paternalism and interference is going out of style. We rarely help long term. Look at Afghanistan. We just enabled the unsustainable population explosion that is now suffering.

We can’t force democracy and human rights on to different cultures. We’re often struggling to maintain them in our own countries.

It is devastating to hear the few reports that come through from Sudan. Women and children with zero help or protection. No attention. No hope. What can we do though? We can’t turn back time and leave Africa alone.

I can’t conceive of a time when things will get better although Rwanda gives some comfort. They seem to have learnt and have decent governance in place.