One year into the ‘forgotten’ war, France hosts conference on Sudan

France is hosting an international conference on Sudan on Monday, exactly a year after war broke out in the northeast African country, leading to a humanitarian and political crisis. The conference aims to bring attention to the crisis in Sudan, which has been overshadowed by ongoing conflicts in other parts of the world.

The French foreign ministry is seeking contributions from the international community to address the crisis in Sudan, which has resulted in one of the worst humanitarian disasters in recent memory. Millions of people in Sudan are facing starvation, mass sexual violence, ethnic killings, and displacement.

Despite the severity of the situation, only five percent of the 3.8-billion-euro humanitarian appeal has been funded so far this year. The conference will bring together representatives from Sudan’s neighbors, Gulf nations, western powers, regional organizations, and the United Nations to discuss political and humanitarian issues in Sudan.

Civil society representatives from Sudan, including activists, unionists, and journalists, will also participate in the conference to discuss a possible peace process and post-war reconstruction. Human rights organizations are hoping that the conference will deliver a strong message to the warring parties in Sudan, including threats of sanctions for blocking humanitarian assistance and targeting aid workers.

The conference is seen as a crucial opportunity to raise awareness about the crisis in Sudan and mobilize international support to address the humanitarian and political challenges facing the country. It is a reminder that Sudan should not be forgotten amidst the global conflicts and crises that dominate the headlines.