JOHANNESBURG – A surge of scrutiny encircles the Biden administration as it takes precarious strides toward addressing what many label “the largest humanitarian and displacement crisis in the world today” – the ravaging conflict in Sudan. As fighting intensifies, some observers liken these actions to a sort of electioneering—a frantic bid to secure a legacy.
The United Nations paints a grim picture. Approximately 25 million people are desperately in need of aid, with estimates suggesting up to 150,000 lives lost since hostilities erupted last year. Health Policy Watch conveys that “over half of Sudan’s citizens face acute hunger.” Analysts, however, warn that this renewed effort by the U.S. represents a classic case of too little, too late.
As Cameron Hudson, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and former director for African affairs at the National Security Council under George W. Bush, opines, “The Administration is making an 11th hour attempt to put the situation on a better footing, not least because the humanitarian situation is so desperate. There could be 2 million Sudanese dead from famine by the time he (Biden) leaves office.”
A stark reality underpins this desperate plea for change—each of the 11 million displaced Sudanese carries a unique horror story. Katie Striffolino, director of policy and advocacy at Mercy Corps, recounts a chilling encounter: “I met a mother who had given birth while being displaced in the back of a pickup truck, with no medical care. She was at an informal displacement site with her newborn, lacking food or water, unable to breastfeed due to malnutrition.”
Mercy Corps operates within nine of Sudan’s 18 states, yet Striffolino laments, “We can physically reach these people—and they are still starving to death. This indicates massive manmade aid blockages.” Indeed, the paramilitary forces of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been accused of obstructing or rerouting vital aid streams.
The humanitarian plight is exacerbated further by reports from organizations like Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), which highlighted that the Zamzam camp in North Darfur lies under blockade, isolating 300,000 to 500,000 residents from essential supplies and food. Sudan researcher Eric Reeves articulates the despair of countless Sudanese: “The people of Zamzam camp are desperate for the defeat of the RSF and their allied militias to foster security for humanitarian convoys. As we speak, children are perishing from starvation, mothers are unable to lactate, and the elderly succumb to malnutrition and disease.”
In a bold moment during his address at the U.N. General Assembly, President Biden implored nations to “stop blocking aid to the Sudanese people,” insisting, “The world must unite and tell the generals to cease their destructive path and end this war now.” Vice President Kamala Harris echoed these sentiments, affirming unwavering support for Sudanese aspirations for peace. Yet, Hudson warns that Biden’s call to action comes far too late; it’s been over a year since he last publicly acknowledged the crisis. “That plea, made more than 15 months after a public mention of the conflict, hardly demonstrates a consistent engagement with the world’s largest conflict,” he asserts.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently delivered a video message emphasizing a unified call for an end to violence and a negotiated resolution. A State Department spokesperson reiterated commitment, affirming, “The United States and our regional and international partners call for immediate cessation of hostilities, urging adherence to international humanitarian law.” With over $2 billion allocated to humanitarian efforts since the start of the 2023 fiscal year, the U.S. remains the largest contributor to Sudan’s response.
However, doubts linger. Hudson reflects on the disappointing reality of ongoing peace negotiations, stating, “It is evident that neither side shows genuine interest in political dialogue currently. The administration would be wise to prioritize increasing humanitarian access and saving lives rather than risking precious time on likely fruitless talks.”
Standing at the precipice of an imminent humanitarian catastrophe, Striffolino warns of preventable deaths, stating, “Children are starving, and they cannot afford to wait for the international community to act. People in Sudan are being starved to death, and it’s entirely preventable.”
Outbreaks of diseases such as cholera, malaria, and measles are rampant, threatening the health of 3.4 million children under five, as highlighted by UNICEF. Amidst this turmoil, Hudson remarks, “Even now, it’s not too late to make a difference. The Biden administration should support indictments through the International Criminal Court against offending leaders, ensuring accountability that will linger long after Biden’s departure.”
As nearly two years pass since Biden’s optimistic promises made at a Washington summit with African leaders, the gap between expectations and outcomes seems stark. “Ultimately, the Biden administration will be judged not just on its policies but on the vast chasm between those policies and the aspirations it ignited,” Hudson concludes poignantly.
