Mediaboss Marketing

We are already in week two of the deadly fighting between Sudans military and the paramilitary organization known as Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the chaotic evacuation of Western citizens proves an end to the conflict is nowhere in sight.

The possibility of the battle escalating into a full-blown humanitarian crisis is growing by the hour. Sudan already accommodates some of the biggest refugee populations in Africa and the current instability could be a catalyst for a refugee crisis of unparalleled magnitude.

Already the current strife is expected to inflame tensions in the Horn of Africa. Countries like Chad, Ethiopia, and Libya, which are already grappling with internal conflicts, will be among the first to feel the impact before it reaches Europe and beyond.

But the West is not prepared. In fact, its decisions have led to this problem.

Back in 2014, the European Union (EU) entered into a contentious agreement with Horn of African nations to finance local initiatives aimed at regulating the influx of migrants from the sub-Saharan Desert into Europe. However, the Khartoum Process also funds groups notorious for human rights atrocities, including Sudans RSF.

In 2019, after the RSF killed more than 120 demonstrators at an anti-government protest, the EU halted its financial aid to Sudan. But it still provides support to countries like Libya, where migrants are subjected to brutal mistreatment.

With the Wests migrant strategies in the African region and at home failing, its clear it must rethink how it can prepare Africa and itself. After all, its only going to get worse. In the next 30 years, the climate crisis, of which Africa and the wider Global South have little responsibility for, will lead to 1.2 billion climate refugees.

While the conflict in Sudan is a showdown over Sudans long-anticipated transition to civilian governance, the reality is there is also a global surge in civil wars. However, these conflicts cannot be attributed solely to political volatility. Rather, the escalation of violence is also a consequence of climate-induced economic uncertainty, which the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) discovered has led to almost half of internal clashes globally over the last six decades, including Sudan.

Click to expand

During the early 2000s, the RSF, known at the time as Janjaweed militias, were accused of perpetrating a genocide campaign in Darfur, Western Sudan which resulted in the deaths of approximately 500,000 civilians. The United Nations later declared this conflict was the first-ever to be directly influenced by climate change and resource shortages, cautioning climate wars would become the new norm.

Rather than ignoring what is happening in Africa as shown by the absence of EU leaders at a recent African climate summit the West must redirect its attention to the development and protection of African nations. Besides revisiting outdated and harmful migration policies, it is imperative we forge stronger connections with non-governmental organizations and civil society figures who can provide viable alternatives to volatile and fragile political systems.

For instance, climate interfaith NGO Faith For Our Planet (FFOP), which was established by Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa, the Secretary General of the Islamic NGO Muslim World League (MWL), brings together civil society leaders to find solutions to climate change in the Global South. Earlier this year, FFOP organized the Faith and Climate Forum in The Gambia, where they educated African civil society leaders on climate action and trained them to engage with their communities on the issue, effectively surpassing political influence.

It is urgent that we implement climate and refugee mitigation strategies in Africa and other parts of the Global South, not only through grassroots initiatives but also through larger international efforts. We must follow through on promises regarding the Loss and Damage Fund, while also prioritizing climate security, conflict prevention, and peacebuilding at upcoming COP and UN conferences.

Because without immediate action, Africa will be the epicentre of a multitude of intersecting crises, all of which will inevitably impact the wider world.

Read the original post:
Sudan conflict will trigger unprecedented refugee crisis and West is not prepared - Toronto Star