A global African crisis? Neighbors of concerned Sudan

The fierce wars that have erupted in Sudan have upset many its neighbours both on the part of security and economic and humanitarian policy. Bundeswehr continues evacuations from Sudan.

Bundeswehr has continued the evacuation flights on Sunday successfully, is announced by the German Army itself. 311 people have arrived in Jordan, some have continued to Berlin. According to German government data, several hundred Germans were registered for evacuation from Sudan.

“Sudani is the centre of continuing crises, there are often war clashes”, says Marina Peter, founder of the Sudan and South Sudan Forum in the interview for DW. “When a conflict breaks out in one of these countries, it is always affected by neighboring countries, whether Egypt, Libya, Chad, the African Republic, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Eritrea- looking at the Red Sea, Saudi Arabia.” In Sudan, which has been in an untamed political state for a week, fought the two most powerful generals and their entities to rule the country. General's forces, Abdel Fattah al-Buhan against Mohammed Hammed Hamdan Daglos' RSF militia. But with the outbreak of war in Sudan rising the risk of destabilizing a region, Peter points out.

South Sudan: Oil as a Source of Revenue

All countries have an interest in good relations with Sudan, says Martina Peter. But especially South Sudan, which in 2011 declared independence from the north. Various groups of the population have crashed into power from the beginning. Civil war broke out in 2013, hundreds of thousands of victims. Of some 11 million southern Sudanese, several million fled to neighboring countries or other parts of South Sudan. By 2020, war is officially considered completed, but peace is fragile. Until now there is fighting among rebels in various countries of South Sudan”, explains Sudan expert.

Common history links both countries, says Gerrit Kurtz, expert for Africa and the Middle East at the Berlin Science and Politics Foundation. A lot of people from both countries reside or stay in the other country, there are refugees and certainly have close economic and political ties”, Kurtz explains. The expert points out, that the South Sudan is dependent on the camels selling crude oil. About 95% of public income relates to the sale of oil, and Sudan plays a crucial role for export. The pipelines run through Sudan to the Red Sea. The government of South Sudan, therefore, has great interest in keeping the relationship intact. But the government is divided, so far RSF leader Douglas had operated as mediator. After the start of the war, the Yugoslav parties are positioning themselves. According to Kurtz, conflict in the north can cause violence in southern Sudan as well.

The humanitarian crisis in Chad

Chad's army has announced that it has disarmed 320 paramilitary forces from Sudan, who had crossed the border. But more are civilians crossing the border towards Chad. Minister of Communication, Aziz Mahamat Saleh told DW that refugees from western Sudan have come to Chad, where fighting takes place. Although the 1,500-mile border is closed. “We appeal for support from international partners to help us in the context of this seemingly humanitarian crisis, Saleh said. Chad already cares about 500,000 refugees. A constant struggle could harm the area of Sahel and trade between countries.

Egypt as an ally

Egypt too has a common history with Sudan, not only as a trading partner. Sudan in Pharaoh's day was part of Egypt and was called Nubyen. The nubis also ruled Egypt for a time, and later the two countries submitted to British colonial rule. The two countries share similar culture, the relationship of some elites in Sudan and Egypt is close, according to experts from Berlin for Africa, Kurtz. Many Sudanese have studied in Egypt, and military forces have been trained in Egypt or hold training yet.” At the time of the outbreak of the recent conflict in Sudan were the military of Egyptian civilian aviation. 177 people were evacuated. Egypt sees more of an ally in the Sudan military government. “Relations are tight, but especially those between the armed forces and the military”, Kurtz points out.

Another aspect is the current water dispute since Ethiopia builds a large hydro power plant “GERD” Egypt wants “to have Sudan in its camp in this conflict”, says Kurtz. There's been negotiations for years, but there's still no deal. Egypt, along with South Sudan, are immediately offered as mediator between the army and RSF. Both countries have an interest in a stabilised Sudan. / DW