Emtithal Mahmoud on Sudan's Civil War: 'Don't Help Us Without Us'

The Escalating Crisis in Sudan

• 💔 The civil war in Sudan, now in its second year, has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and displaced over 13 million people, creating the world's worst humanitarian crisis.
• ⚔️ Fighting began on April 15, 2023, between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the regular army, quickly escalating into widespread conflict across Khartoum, Darfur, and Kordofan.
• 🚨 International Criminal Court investigations warn of alleged war crimes, including attacks on civilian populations and internally displaced persons (IDP) camps.

Personal Impact and Predicted Atrocities

• 😥 Emtithal Mahmoud's family has been directly affected, with members displaced multiple times and recent harrowing events at the Zamzam refugee camp resulting in hundreds of deaths and widespread displacement.
• ⚠️ Mahmoud warns of impending massacres in Al-Fasher, the capital of Darfur, predicting it will be the next target for the RSF following the events at Zamzam.
• 🌍 The city where her father was born no longer exists due to genocide, climate change, and other factors, highlighting the devastating long-term impact of the conflict.

Calls for International Action and Civilian Inclusion

• ✊ Mahmoud emphasizes that the struggle is for collective liberation, stating, "None of us are free until all of us are free."
• 📢 She calls for the international community to pressure both the RSF and the SAF to end the war, open aid routes, and ensure unfettered humanitarian access.
• 🗣️ A key demand is the inclusion of civilian voices in all international processes, from humanitarian aid to peace negotiations, advocating for meaningful collaboration rather than mere token participation.

Challenges in Aid Delivery and Safe Passage

• 🚫 Aid routes are frequently blocked by both RSF and SAF, hindering the delivery of essential supplies to those in need, particularly in areas like Al-Fasher.
• 🚶‍♀️ Civilians are forced to undertake perilous journeys, sometimes walking dozens of kilometers to reach relative safety, with many dying from thirst due to famine conditions.
• ⚠️ Even designated places of refuge, like IDP camps, are not safe, with some being destroyed and their inhabitants killed or kidnapped, including young girls.

The Role of Civil Society and Grassroots Efforts

• 🤝 Sudanese civil society, particularly through emergency response rooms (ERRs) and IDP networks, has been crucial in providing aid and support, often driven by small donors.
• 🗺️ While these grassroots organizations are effective, they cannot manage the crisis alone and require greater support and expertise from international partners.
• ⚖️ Mahmoud stresses that aid distribution must be guided by local expertise and leadership, ensuring that funds reach the intended recipients and that decision-making processes are inclusive.

Accountability and Funding

• 💰 Concerns are raised about funds being raised in the name of Sudanese civilians but not reaching them due to a lack of involvement in governance and decision-making.
• 🌍 Both warring parties receive significant external funding and support, while civilians are left to fend for themselves.
• ⚖️ There is a call for accountability for past atrocities and for partners of both the RSF and SAF to cease their support.