Understanding the war in Sudan

 With so many Sudanese at risk of starvation, USAID must continue

 By Ed Fallon, reprinted with permission, Feb 08, 2025; also at https://fallonforum.substack.com/p/understanding-the-war-in-sudan

 

 Until recently, the war in Sudan has received scarce attention in the US media, despite the terrifying reality that so many people have died (estimates vary, from 31,000 to 150,000) and that between 30 and 50 percent of Sudan’s population is at risk of starvation.

Joining me on this week’s Fallon Forum (CLICK HERE TO LISTEN) is Jeffrey Weiss (with me in photo). Jeffrey is a poli-sci prof at Des Moines Area Community College and a regular guest on my program because, well, he knows more about foreign policy than anyone I know. This program was taped on January 20.

 As with most wars, this one is a rich man’s war. Two powerful generals are fighting to fill the political vacuum left after dictator Omar al-Bashir was overthrown in 2019.

 Resources also play a role in the war, since Sudan is wealthy with water (the Nile River and Red Sea), minerals, and oil. Because climate change is expanding the desert, many Sudanese have been pushed south, creating additional instability.

Both the UN and US have accused both sides of war crimes, including attacks on schools and hospitals, attacks on civilians, and sexual violence.

America’s track record is a mixed bag. As Jeffrey points out, “The US has correctly pointed the finger at both sides for human rights violations.”

 At the same time, the US sells all kinds of weapons to United Arab Emirates (UAE), and UAE is the biggest supplier of arms to one side of the conflict.

 Congressional Democrats tried to address part of that problem. In December, 2020, two resolutions were offered in the House to cut off certain weapons sales to UAE. One would have blocked F-35 fighter jets, the other MQ-9 Reaper drones. Both failed on a close vote. Kudos to Democrats for trying.

 Something the corporate media rarely if ever talk about is how the “defense” industry enriches itself through war. The conflict in Sudan is no exception.

 Jeffrey: “We’ve seen new trends in the military-industrial complex. Former US military officials are going to work for foreign governments, including the UAE. Any time you have a war you’re talking about a lot of profit to be made from killing large numbers of people, with the stock price of Lockheed Martin and Raytheon rising.”

And it’s not just Sudan. On the continent of Africa — home to 54 countries and 1.5 billion people — 12 countries are currently experiencing armed conflict.

One question Jeffrey and I didn’t discuss that has since gained importance in the past week is how President Trump’s decision to shut down USAID will affect Sudan. A February 6, 2025, CBS News story had this to say:

 “It is the largest humanitarian crisis in the world, but probably the one you've heard the least about. Fueled by nearly two years of civil war, Sudan is in the grip of a man-made famine. More than 25 million people are starving — more than half of the African nation's population — and of those, 3.2 million are children under the age of 5 who are suffering from acute malnutrition.”

Given this deeply disturbing reality, Trump’s 90-day suspension of foreign aid is a death sentence for many in Sudan who are already frightfully close to starvation.

[As we go to “press,” a federal judge has put a pause on Trump’s decision to kill USAID. That’s a small piece of good news.]

 WHAT CAN YOU DO? Please contact your member of Congress. Tell them you’re deeply concerned about what’s happening in Sudan. Encourage them to maintain USAID funding for those in need. Millions of lives — not just in Sudan, but in so many troubled countries — hang in the balance.

 

[Former state representative Ed Fallon has hosted The Fallon Forum for 15 years. The program airs on eight community-owned stations and is available as a podcast.]