Sudan's Escalating Civil War Puts Canadian Aid and Diplomatic Efforts to the Test

Sudan is bleeding. More than a year after a brutal power struggle erupted between the country's top two generals, the nation of 49 million has descended into a state of near-total collapse, creating what the United Nations has called "one of the worst humanitarian nightmares in recent history." The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, has triggered the world's largest displacement crisis and pushed millions to the brink of starvation.

The war, which began in April 2023, has recently entered a terrifying new phase with the RSF's capture of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur and the last SAF stronghold in the vast western region. The city's fall was accompanied by reports of widespread atrocities, including ethnically targeted killings, sexual violence, and the razing of entire neighbourhoods, echoing the genocide that ravaged Darfur two decades ago. UN officials have warned that the violence bears the hallmarks of a deliberate campaign of ethnic cleansing, primarily targeting non-Arab communities.

The humanitarian statistics are staggering. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), over 10 million people have been internally displaced, while another 2 million have fled to neighbouring countries like Chad and South Sudan, which are themselves struggling with instability. Nearly 25 million people—half of Sudan's population—require humanitarian assistance, and at least 5 million are on the verge of famine. Access for aid organizations is severely restricted, with both warring parties accused of deliberately obstructing relief efforts and looting humanitarian supplies.

Canada's Response: Aid, Sanctions, and Diplomatic Pressure

Amid this catastrophic backdrop, Canada has positioned itself as a key humanitarian donor and a vocal advocate for a peaceful resolution. In May 2024, Canada's Minister of International Development, Ahmed Hussen, announced $132.2 million in international assistance funding for Sudan and its neighbours. This funding is directed towards experienced humanitarian partners providing life-saving services, including food, water, sanitation, health services, and protection for the most vulnerable, particularly women and children.

"The scale of suffering in Sudan is unimaginable, and the international community's response has not been sufficient," Minister Hussen stated during the announcement. "Canada is committed to standing with the people of Sudan. We are not only providing aid but also using our diplomatic channels to push for an immediate ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian access."

Beyond financial aid, Ottawa has deployed sanctions as a tool to pressure the conflict's architects. Global Affairs Canada has imposed sanctions on key individuals and entities associated with both the SAF and RSF. These measures target high-ranking officials and companies linked to the financing and execution of the war, aiming to disrupt their military operations and hold them accountable for human rights abuses. However, the effectiveness of these sanctions is limited without broader, coordinated action from major global and regional powers.

Canada has also implemented special immigration measures to support Sudanese nationals. This includes prioritizing the processing of applications from those already in Canada and waiving certain fees, providing a safe haven for those who have managed to escape the conflict.

A Fragmented International Response

Despite the severity of the crisis, the international response has been criticized as slow, underfunded, and disunited. The conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza have captured the bulk of global attention and resources, leaving the crisis in Sudan dangerously overlooked. The challenge of mounting a coherent international effort is complicated by the geopolitical interests of regional powers. The RSF has reportedly received support from the United Arab Emirates, while the SAF is backed by Egypt, turning the internal conflict into a proxy war.

This lack of a unified front stands in contrast to other international crises where more decisive action has been taken. For instance, Canada has been a strong supporter of the Kenyan-led security mission in Haiti, providing funding and logistical support to help stabilize another nation gripped by violence. The situation in Sudan, however, has not seen a similar push for a multinational security or peacekeeping force, largely due to the scale of the country and the entrenched positions of the warring factions.

For Canada, the Sudanese crisis is a significant test of its diplomatic capabilities and its commitment to a rules-based international order. It requires navigating a complex web of regional rivalries and global apathy. This challenge is emblematic of the multifaceted foreign policy landscape Canada must manage, which includes everything from responding to state collapse to engaging with complex political transitions, such as the one presented by the recent election of a new president in Iran. Each situation demands a tailored approach, but the core challenge remains mobilizing international consensus in a fractured world.

What Lies Ahead

The future for Sudan looks grim. Peace talks have repeatedly failed, and both the SAF and RSF appear committed to a military solution, regardless of the civilian cost. Humanitarian agencies are warning that without a massive and immediate scale-up of aid and unfettered access, Sudan will face a famine of historic proportions in the coming months. The window to prevent a complete state collapse and further atrocities is closing rapidly. For Canada and its allies, the challenge is to translate condemnation and aid into effective pressure that can bring the generals to the negotiating table and end the suffering of the Sudanese people.