In a show of solidarity and urgency, demonstrators gathered at Freedom Plaza in the US capital to demand global and US intervention to end the ongoing war in Sudan. The conflict, which erupted a year ago between the Sudanese army (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has led to a devastating humanitarian crisis, prompting calls for immediate action.
Protesters at the rally, organized under the banner of “United For Sudan,” carried placards with messages like “Sudan Can’t Wait!” and “Keep Eyes on Sudan,” emphasizing the need to prioritize Sudan’s plight amid other global conflicts. Samah Salman, a co-organizer of the rally and head of the US-Educated Sudanese Association (USESA), highlighted Sudan’s dire situation as the largest humanitarian crisis globally and called for President Joe Biden’s active involvement in addressing the conflict.
US Congressman Jim McGovern joined the rally, condemning both SAF and RSF and advocating for sanctions against the warring parties. He stressed the importance of ensuring humanitarian aid reaches Sudanese civilians affected by the conflict.
Doctors Without Borders provided grim statistics, noting that over 8.4 million people have been displaced since the conflict began, with an estimated 15,000 lives lost and ongoing refugee flows. Despite the severity of the crisis, the international response has been deemed inadequate, with only five percent of the required humanitarian funding received.
American-Sudanese participants like Sarah Zeinelabdin and Jasmine voiced their concerns, urging increased awareness and political action to halt the war in Sudan. They called on President Biden and other world leaders to intervene decisively to bring peace to Sudanese civilians caught in the crossfire.
UN chief Antonio Guterres warned of potential war crimes and crimes against humanity in Sudan due to indiscriminate attacks on civilians. However, efforts to mediate and negotiate a ceasefire have faced challenges, with two generals obstructing serious peace efforts.
In a parallel development, world donors pledged over $2.1 billion in humanitarian aid for Sudan at an international conference in Paris, signaling ongoing global efforts to address the crisis and alleviate the suffering of Sudan’s 51 million people.
