When war broke out in Sudan in April 2023, it made headlines around the world.

Now more than seven months into the brutal conflict, "the world is scandalously silent," as a spokesperson for the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, put it. Since the conflict began, nearly 6.2 million people (about one in every eight people in the country) have fled their homes. There have been outbreaks of cholera and other diseases. 

"The war that erupted without warning turned previously peaceful Sudanese homes into cemeteries. Now, fighting is growing in scope and brutality," said the UNHCR spokesperson.

All our colleagues at our counterpart organizations have fled their homes and are now scattered and regrouping across Sudan and neighbouring countries. 

We must not be silent

On November 30, Inter Pares held a virtual conversation to talk about the political and economic root causes of the devastating conflict in Sudan.

Watch the conversation below.

With guest speakers Reem Abbas, a feminist activist and fellow of The Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy, and Magdi El-Gizouli, a writer and fellow of the Rift Valley Institute, we discussed the parties to the conflict and their histories, dug into how they are being resourced and explored recommendations to break these cycles of resourcing.

Rebecca Tiessen, professor at the University of Ottawa and director of the Gender, Peace and Security Collaboratory, provided closing reflections.

Rita Morbia, co-manager at Inter Pares, moderated the discussion.

About the panelists

Reem Abbas is a political commentator with expertise in women's rights and civic spaces, and a feminist activist. She is a former member in the coordination committee of the Sudanese Women in Civic and Political Groups known as MANSAM. She is currently a 2023-2024 Nonresident Fellow at The Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy.
 

Magdi El-Gizouli is a Sudanese academic, writer and a fellow of the Rift Valley Institute. He writes on Sudanese affairs on his blog: stillsudan.blogspot.com.
 

Rebecca Tiessen is a professor in the School of International Development and Global Studies and Director of the Gender, Peace and Security Collaboratory at the University of Ottawa. Her current research examines feminist foreign aid priorities and the role of civil society actors in promoting gender, peace and security. Some of her recent publications include: “Towards a Transformative Vision for Gender and Canadian International Policy: the Role and Impact of ‘Feminist Inside Activists’” (2023), International Journal (co-authored with Nnenna Okoli); and “Whose Feminism (s)? Overseas Partner Organization’s Perceptions of Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP)” (2020), International Journal (co-authored with Sheila Rao).
 

Rita Morbia (moderator) is a co-manager at Inter Pares. She works on issues related to women’s rights, feminist movement-building and health, including sexual and reproductive rights, in Canada, Africa and Asia. She currently works with activists, particularly in the Philippines and Sudan, on access to healthcare, bodily autonomy and women’s political participation.

Program undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada provided through Global Affairs Canada.