Port Sudan, once a remote trading hub, now stands as the sole city in Sudan where Westerners can cautiously venture. With the ongoing war casting a long shadow over the country, this coastal town has emerged as the defacto capital of Sudan. Although life here appears to continue on in a semblance of normalcy, a tense peace reigns, and beneath the surface, the realities of Sudan’s war and political turmoil are never far away.
The War in Sudan: A Divided Country at War with Itself
The war in Sudan is a complex and multifaceted conflict that has its roots in years of internal strife, compounded by regional and international meddling. At the heart of the conflict are two main factions: the Sudanese Army (SA) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The RSF, initially formed as a paramilitary militia, grew into a powerful force capable of commanding significant military power. Its rise to prominence was closely linked to the infamous Janjaweed militias that operated during the Darfur conflict, and many of its members continue to be involved in brutal warfare today.
The RSF, which has a notorious reputation for its involvement in human rights abuses, has been accused of targeting civilians and engaging in illegal activities. However, they are not the only group to blame for Sudan’s instability. The Sudanese Army, while not as infamous for its abuses, remains deeply entrenched in the country’s political power structure. The army’s leadership, bolstered by decades of military rule, has shown little desire for meaningful change or reconciliation, perpetuating the cycle of violence.
So who is supporting whom in this conflict? The UAE has been a key supporter of the RSF. The UAE, with its increasing influence across Africa, has often been accused of turning a blind eye to the atrocities committed by the RSF. The situation becomes even more absurd when considering the hypocrisy of international politics: some Western powers label countries like Cuba as state sponsors of terrorism, yet the UAE, which has funded and supported a militia responsible for heinous war crimes, remains relatively untouched. The RSF’s role in Sudan is not merely one of military dominance—it has evolved into a force that is financed, trained, and empowered by foreign actors with no interest in the well-being of the Sudanese people.
Turkey, too, is playing a curious role in this conflict, providing funding and support to both sides of the war. The Turkish ambassador was touring Suakin when I was in Port Sudan, a gesture that raised more questions than it answered. I asked our interpreter whether Turkey planned to stop its support of the RSF. He smiled and offered no clear response, a diplomatic silence that spoke volumes about the
ambiguity of international involvement in Sudan’s war. It’s as if everyone involved, from the UAE to Turkey, is playing a game of geopolitics, with little regard for the destruction left in their wake.
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Port Sudan as the De Facto Capital
With Khartoum reduced to chaos, Port Sudan has taken on the role of the defacto capital of Sudan. It’s a title that, in normal circumstances, would come with great prestige. But in a country where the government is fractured and weak, this new status carries little weight in the grand scheme of things. As you walk through Port Sudan, the war is never far away—its presence is felt in the unease that pervades the city, in the constant whispers of power struggles, and in the tension hanging in the air.
One of the more bizarre sights in the city is the unfinished presidential palace. Standing as a symbol of Sudan’s political dysfunction, the palace is half-built, a monument to the country’s failed promises. I couldn’t help but ask our guide about it. “That’s the presidential palace,” he said with a straight face. “Really?” I replied, “With all the hard work and all those elections?” We both laughed, but the truth was that it was a laugh tinged with bitterness. Sadly Sudan just doesn’t really do elections with the
army hoping for them in “5 years” and the RSF saying “at least 10”.
Nevertheless, Port Sudan remains the place where embassies still exist and foreign diplomats still venture—albeit with considerable caution. The United States, China, Russia, and various European
nations maintain embassies here, although their diplomats do little more than monitor the situation from behind secure gates. These embassies are a far cry from the active diplomatic hubs you’d find in more stable nations. Instead, they serve as reminders of how Sudan has been relegated to the periphery of international concerns.
Port Sudan as a Guide to Peace?
In a land torn apart by conflict, one might think that Port Sudan could serve as a beacon of hope—a model of peace and stability amidst the chaos. However, the reality is far more complicated. Sudanese people are, by and large, desperate for peace. They long for an end to the violence, the bloodshed, and the endless cycle of war. And while the Sudanese Army is far from perfect, it is, in the eyes of many Sudanese, the lesser of two evils.
The Sudanese Army, despite its flaws, has maintained a sense of order in many regions, even as the RSF wreaks havoc with its predatory tactics. The RSF, driven by mercenary interests, has been accused of stealing cars, robbing civilians, and committing even worse acts of violence. The people in Port Sudan, who are caught between these two forces, often look to the army with a sense of reluctant trust. “Life goes on under army control,” they tell you, “but under the RSF, you’re never safe.”
Despite the clear differences between the Sudanese Army and the RSF, the international community has failed to acknowledge the need for real support to the Sudanese Army. Rather than placing pressure on foreign powers to stop funding the RSF, the West has turned a blind eye. Instead of intervening to stop the violence, Western governments seem content to watch the country burn from a distance, as if Sudan’s pain is of little consequence.
Sadly, this is all too typical of the international community’s response to African conflict—treating it as an afterthought, dismissing it as just another “African problem” that doesn’t warrant attention. And yet, the parallels to Ukraine are undeniable. In both cases, the West has been slow to act, reluctant to take a
stand. When the Sudanese Army, the legitimate force in the country, seeks support, the international community looks the other way, preferring to maintain the status quo rather than intervene in any meaningful way.
A Lack of Support for Sudan’s Army
If the world truly wants peace in Sudan, they must support the Sudanese Army in their fight for stability. Without the support of the international community, Sudan will continue to spiral into further chaos. The RSF will continue to exploit the situation, enriching themselves on the backs of Sudanese civilians, while
foreign powers continue to fund both sides of the conflict. It’s high time that the world stops pretending that Sudan’s problems can be solved by diplomatic games. The Sudanese Army needs support, and if the international community truly cares about the future of Sudan, it must step up and offer that support.
As long as the RSF is allowed to operate with impunity, peace will remain a distant dream for the people of Sudan.
Conclusion
Port Sudan stands as a peculiar symbol of a nation in turmoil—on the one hand, it represents a tenuous grasp on stability, but on the other, it reflects the deep political fractures that divide Sudan. With the UAE and Turkey meddling behind the scenes, Sudan’s struggle for peace will not be easily won. For now, the world watches, indifferent to the suffering of the Sudanese people, as their country remains trapped in a brutal war, with no end in sight.