With a faint voice marked by the strain of fatigue and physical frailty, Sheikh Awad Abdulrahman spoke to us about the humanitarian situation in war-torn areas of central Sudan nearly a year and a half after the outbreak of war due to the rebellion of the “Rapid Support Forces” against the Sudanese army on April 15, 2023.

Abdulrahman, a professor of English literature and a pious sheikh overseeing a Quranic school in Al Jazirah State, said: “In the early months of the war, the city had food supplies, and the communication network allowed residents to receive financial assistance from family members working in safer areas in Sudan or abroad through banking apps. However, shortly afterward, there were widespread attacks on the communication network and organized looting of markets, driving us into a severe food crisis alongside the constant threat of death.”

Describing the situation further, the sheikh continued: “At that time, people began to establish a new pattern of life based on sharing food. They would bring whatever food they had, whether little or much, to a designated place in each neighborhood where they shared the food and the pains of war. This food was very scarce and, without a doubt, lacked real nutritional value. I lost about 20 kilograms during this period, and this is a common condition.”

In a press conference in Port Sudan at the end of his visit to Sudan on September 8, 2024, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus pointed out that 25.6 million people in Sudan, more than half of the population, are facing high levels of acute food insecurity.

Revival of the Takiya

Inspired by their religious heritage, Sudanese people called the communal food place “Takiya.” In the early days of the war, residents in Khartoum and other cities did not need food aid, but the situation at the border crossings with Egypt was different. Tens of thousands of people were crowded at the border gates waiting for permission to enter Egypt, an unprecedented event in the border town of Wadi Halfa. The city could no longer feed the massive crowds of men, women, and children.

In response to this strange situation, a Sudanese girl with roots in the city launched the first initiative to feed those stranded at the border. Sudanese people quickly interacted with her by transferring money to her bank account. This small initiative soon turned into a large phenomenon that provided relief to Sudanese people stranded in war zones stretching from the city of Al Junaynah on the Sudanese-Chadian border in the west to the city of Al-Dinder in the far northeast near the Sudanese-Ethiopian border.

In Omdurman, the largest of the three cities that make up the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, Sufi Sheikh Al-Amin Omar Al-Amin opened his mosque complex (including the mosque and the attached residences for students and followers) to the residents of the Beit Al-Mal and Abu Rouf areas who were besieged in their homes by fierce armed clashes. The mosque complex became a refuge where people from nearby neighborhoods would come daily to receive food and find relative safety, which Sheikh Al-Amin managed to secure through communication with the fighting parties.

Young lawyer Sohanda Abdelwahab represented a face of charity to which people turned for food aid. Her charitable initiative, supported by thousands of Sudanese through small financial donations, extended to a large social project that provided aid to other afflicted cities, along with food.

In early November 2023, prominent Sudanese journalist Osman Al-Jundi launched the “Takiya Fakit Riq” initiative, meaning “Feeding those who woke up with no food.” Al-Jundi explained his initiative to Xinhua News Agency, saying: “The idea of the Takiya was to provide morning tea with milk and local baked goods. It then developed to the stage of offering daily lunch and Friday breakfast for more than 300 war-affected families in the northern neighborhoods of Omdurman.”

Engineer Mohamed Awad Faqir’s initiative, “Supporting the Armed Forces,” aimed at supporting the families of martyrs and frontline soldiers by providing food, clothing, and medical care for those defending their country. This initiative became one of the first and largest of its kind, providing aid exceeding 500 million Sudanese pounds (about two million dollars) in just 14 months.

These initiatives are not limited to the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, alone. The Ansar Al-Sunna Muhammadiya group in the River Nile State launched the “One Body” initiative to aid those affected by floods and rains in addition to the war, with an initial cost exceeding 18 million Sudanese pounds.

Kuwait’s Contribution

Meanwhile, Kuwait's Ambassador to Sudan, Dr. Fahd Al-Dhafiri, announced the arrival of the twelfth plane in the new air bridge to assist those affected by the war, floods, and rains in Sudan.

Ambassador Al-Dhafiri stated that this initiative stems from the noble directives of His Highness the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, may Allah protect him, to stand with our brothers in Sudan and alleviate the disaster of war, floods, and rains.

Ambassador Al-Dhafiri noted that the new air bridge is an extension of the air bridge that began at the start of the war in Sudan, which included 18 planes and two ships of aid, one of which carried life-saving medications for cancer patients worth one million dollars. Kuwaiti charitable associations and institutions working in Sudan have also implemented dozens of humanitarian projects to alleviate the suffering of those affected across different parts of Sudan.

He expressed his appreciation for all the efforts made by official and popular entities in Kuwait, which resulted in the swift completion of this air bridge.

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With a little reflection and contemplation, as well as study, we can see that the Zionist interest in Sudan is not only driven by political and strategic motives aimed at fragmenting it and plunging it into conflicts, thereby entrenching division, backwardness, dependency, and poverty. This is something openly stated by Zionist leaders and thinkers, as a strong Sudan would pose an existential threat to the entity occupying Palestine. This entity cannot live in safety, stability, progress, or prosperity and would not even have a survival chance, except in a backward, conflicted, fragmented Arab and Islamic environment. In truth, there are other religious, Torah-based, and Jewish heritage motives behind the Zionist interest in Sudan, which we will attempt to discuss in this article.

Debate over the Birthplace of Prophet Moses (PBUH)

In 2017, former Sudanese Minister of Culture Ahmed Osman made statements saying, “The Pharaoh of Prophet Moses’s story was Sudanese.” These statements sparked a wide debate on social media, to the extent that the Egyptian government expressed its regret over the controversy caused by these statements.

Sudanese writer Nile Abdulqader Abu Qaroun mentioned that Prophet Moses and Pharaoh were Sudanese and that their famous story took place in an area in northern Sudan, or the land of Nubia. He noted that he based this analysis on Quranic ayahs and what he claimed were archaeological discoveries supporting his view.

This was detailed in Abu Qaroun's book titled “Moses, A Prophet from the Land of Sudan.”'

Supporting this view, the Book of Numbers, one of the Torah's books, mentions that Prophet Moses (1526–1406 BC) married a Cushite (Sudanese) woman, which caused his siblings Aaron and Miriam to complain (Numbers 12). This opinion finds some acceptance in certain cultural circles.

Even Al-Tabari’s tafsir describes Prophet Moses with Sudanese characteristics, saying, “Moses (PBUH) was a man of dark complexion, with a hooked nose, curly hair, and tall stature.” (The History of the Prophets and Kings, Dar Al-Fikr, p. 290)

Sudan in the Torah

Sudan has a notable presence in the Torah, being mentioned over 25 times. The original Hebrew and Aramaic texts use the word “Cush” to refer to the land of Sudan, but the Greek and Latin translations of these texts render Cush as Ethiopia, indicating present-day Sudan. The Greeks referred to the land of Cush as Ethiopia, a Greek term meaning the land of black or sunburned faces. In the Torah, Cush is the son of Ham, the son of Noah, and the land of Sudan in the Old Testament is named after him: “Therefore, I am against you and against your streams, and I will make the land of Egypt a ruin and a desolate waste from Migdol to Aswan, as far as the border of Cush.” (Ezekiel 29:10)

In this prophecy, God announces His intention to bring destruction and devastation to the land of Egypt, from the city of Migdol in the north to Aswan in the south, reaching the borders of Cush (Sudan).

It is observed from the text that the border of Egypt with Sudan was at Aswan, which is nearly identical to the current border.

It is written in “Isaiah 43:3”: “For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead,” and in “Amos 9:7”: “Are not you Israelites the same to me as the Cushites?” declares the LORD. It is mentioned in “Nahum 3:9”: “Cush and Egypt were her boundless strength,” and in “Isaiah 18:1”: King Taharqa sailed after his father Piye to the Fertile Crescent to protect Jerusalem from the Assyrians. (Piye and Taharqa were Cushite Pharaohs who ruled the Nile Valley up to Palestine.)

Sudan and Solomon's Temple

Sudan holds special significance for certain Jewish religious groups that believe large parts of Sudan are where the Prophet Moses lived, where he was born, cast into the river, and rescued, as well as where he met the righteous man at the confluence of the Blue and White Nile.

There is a large rock marking the site of this meeting, which Jews visit annually. These groups are also interested in eastern Sudan, as they believe the Prophet Moses spoke to God on some of its mountains (noting that Jewish groups do not universally agree on this view, and most Muslims do not support it).

Reports have circulated about the cutting of a mountain in this region since the era of Gaafar Nimeiry, continuing into the early 2000s. Its stones were exported to a European country and used to prepare the components of the alternative Solomon's Temple, which the occupying state dreams of replacing the Al-Aqsa Mosque with. These stones were transported to occupied Palestine, as rabbinical rulings require the temple to be built from blessed stones according to Torah laws.

Zionist writings claim a historical Jewish presence in Sudan, exaggerating it based on religious interpretations of certain Torah texts. The Old Testament, Genesis 15:18, states: “To your descendants I give this land, from the Wadi of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates.” The “river of Egypt” is interpreted as the Nile, thus including most of Sudan in the land between the Nile and the Euphrates, the alleged land of the children of Israel.

Thus, it can be inferred that the Zionist interest in Sudan goes beyond merely plunging Sudan into crises and conflicts to keep it weak, poor, and backward, despite its enormous potential and strategic location. The Zionist involvement in Sudanese affairs and conspiracies has deeper motives, including establishing a foothold in Sudan and controlling parts of it based on dubious historical and Torah interpretations.

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1. Cairo Responds After Uproar Over “Sudanese Pharaoh of Moses.”
2. “Sudan Through the Centuries” by Dr. Makki Shabeka.
3. Sudan in Biblical Texts.
4. “Moses, A Prophet from the Land of Sudan” by Nile Abdulqader Abu Qaroun.

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The education sector in Sudan is facing the danger of losing an entire generation of students, turning them into a sector of dropouts haunted by the specter of illiteracy. This is due to the destruction of many schools, the seizure of schools by rebel forces and their conversion into military barracks, as well as the fleeing of teachers from the horrors of war in search of livelihoods to support their families. A significant number of teachers have also been killed by rebel forces. This sector is experiencing an unprecedented crisis since Lieutenant General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo "Hemetti" declared rebellion against the army on April 15, 2023.

The war has led to a complete disruption of the educational process in many areas, causing millions of children to be displaced and turning many schools into shelters for the displaced.

The Sudanese Teachers Committee has confirmed that most public education institutions in conflict-affected areas are not ready to receive students due to their destruction by shelling or their use as platforms for war or military barracks.

UNICEF: Sudan on the Brink of Becoming Home to the World's Worst Education Crisis

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has warned that the collapse of the educational system in Sudan constitutes a disaster for an entire generation. The escalation of violence and insecurity in many areas has led to the closure of more than 10,000 schools. The organization estimates that 18 million children have been out of school during the war in Sudan, and as the conflict enters its second year, this figure is expected to reach between 19 and 21 million children due to some ages reaching school age.

Mandeep O'Brien, UNICEF's representative in Sudan, explained that Sudan is on the verge of becoming home to the world's worst educational crisis. She added that children have experienced the horrors of war, and now, having been forced to leave their classrooms, teachers, and friends, they are at risk of falling into a void that threatens the future of an entire generation.

Abdelkader Abdullah, Secretary-General of the National Council for Childhood, explained that the armed conflict has forced 3 million school-age children to flee from the Darfur region, while 2.5 million other children have been displaced from Khartoum state, and 1.2 million children from the Kordofan region. This mass displacement has exacerbated the educational crisis, depriving many children of the opportunity to continue their education.

Sudanese Set Up Alternative Schools and Institutes in Homes and Mosques as Safe Educational Experiments

The closure of schools has led to new problems in Sudanese society. The rate of marriage among girls who dropped out of secondary and preparatory stages has increased, especially after two cohorts of secondary certificate students accumulated due to the impossibility of conducting exams last year. This has also pushed male students into the labor market in search of money to meet their needs and the needs of their families. These issues are compounded by chronic problems such as a lack of textbooks, insufficient schools, and teachers migrating abroad.

Poverty Haunts Education

The education system in Sudan faces enormous challenges beyond the effects of armed conflict, with poverty casting a dark shadow over children's opportunities for education. Teacher Iman Murtada, with 25 years of experience in education, points out that the fundamental reasons for school disruptions in Sudan go beyond displacement and war to include the extreme poverty many families endure. As economic conditions worsen, the idea of sending a child to school has become a luxury many parents cannot afford.

Researchers confirm that hunger resulting from armed conflict reduces communities' willingness to send their children to school, pushing them instead to the labor market to earn a living. Hungry children cannot concentrate on their studies, lack the energy needed for learning, and the situation worsens with the lack of security due to displacement and refuge, making education a secondary issue for many families.

The Sudanese Armed Forces revealed the presence of a large number of children recruited as fighters by the Rapid Support Forces in exchange for money and promises of war spoils. On several occasions, the army has presented hundreds of these children, most of whom are of secondary and university age.

Leaders of "Justice and Equality" and "Sudan Liberation Army" Set Up Schools to Educate Students in Their Homes

International organizations have warned about the recruitment of children attributed to the "Rapid Support Forces," especially with reports of children being chained to four-wheel-drive vehicles to prevent them from fleeing the fighting. Education experts view child recruitment as one of the worst factors threatening the educational process in the country, as it provides boys with money and fake heroics that appeal to them during adolescence.

Crisis Challenge

Sudanese people have been establishing alternative schools in homes and mosques as safe educational experiments, and this initiative has met with reasonable success in secure states. Many retirees have volunteered to manage these schools and take on the roles of teachers, who are in short supply in the states due to many fleeing to neighboring countries, being killed by the Rapid Support Forces, or even joining the combat operations

Leaders from the Justice and Equality Movement and the Sudan Liberation Army have adopted the establishment of schools and institutes to educate students in their homes. The Sudanese curriculum is taught along with memorization of parts of the Quran and some general information on how to avoid conflict zones and maintain personal safety.

These home schools have gained widespread recognition in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, which has received a significant influx of African tribes from the other four Darfur states now controlled by the Rapid Support Forces. One of the most successful examples of home schools is the "Mashaal" schools, which are increasingly popular among students.

UNICEF Established 1,000 Safe Learning Spaces and Enrolled 941,000 Children in Education

Among the grassroots initiatives addressing the education crisis is the "People’s Teacher" initiative, which has branches in the city of Damazin, the capital of Blue Nile State. The initiative has successfully established three centers in the city, accommodating over 400 students of basic education age, focusing primarily on receiving students displaced from other states.

UNICEF reported that it has successfully created 1,000 safe learning spaces and enrolled 941,000 children in education. In a serious attempt to reach children in conflict areas, the organization has provided a digital platform designed to meet the needs of conflict-affected children. This platform is free and provides access to the Sudanese curriculum. To address the issue of disrupted communications, the organization has also provided comprehensive educational programs that are updated every two months without requiring internet access.

Nevertheless, the devastating effects of war on the educational process in Sudan, affecting students both internally and externally, can only be mitigated by ending the conflict, halting the war, and starting an extensive process of rebuilding the educational system, including schools, textbooks, and teachers.

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One of the worst disasters that humans face are wars and conflicts due to their negative consequences socially, economically, and environmentally, and the resulting psychological and social destruction that is difficult to mend at all levels and over the years.

Women, in particular, are among the most affected by the ravages of war, as they are the safety valve of the family and society and the cornerstone upon which a healthy society is built. At the same time, they are the tools to undermine this cornerstone if subjected to any form of negative exploitation. Thus, they are directly targeted in wars in an attempt to demoralize and defeat the enemy.

Since April 2023, Sudanese women have faced the most severe violations due to various forms of violence inflicted upon displaced and refugee women and girls in cities and affected states. This violence is systematic and multifaceted, driven by the search for safe havens and suitable shelter. The regional and international response has been limited compared to the massive violations against Sudanese women, who have historically stood by social and political causes regionally and internationally in thought and practice.

Sudanese women faced the harshest violations through incidents of physical and property assault and looting

The sudden outbreak of war in Khartoum did not allow most residents to even think about or plan for their situation during or after the war. The attack was comprehensive across many parts of the capital, coinciding with attacks on several areas in the states of Darfur and Kurdufan, exacerbating the shock and confusion among all segments of society, especially women and children.

Sudanese women faced the harshest violations through incidents of physical and property assault and looting that coincided with the attack, in addition to terror, beatings, and killings. It can be said that most homes attacked by the “Rapid Support Forces” were subjected to all the violations mentioned, especially those invaded by young fighters, as evidenced by some videos and recordings by them.

Many legal and civil organizations active in human and women's rights have documented severe violations against women since the start of the war. The latest of these was the invasion of the city of Sinjah in the state of Sennar, where thousands of residents were forced to flee their homes, leading to forced displacement outside the city on foot under extremely challenging environmental conditions. The region, being in the rainy season, faces heavy rains that make movement difficult, especially for children, the elderly, and pregnant women. Stripped of their money and belongings, hundreds lost contact with their relatives in other states in the search for safe havens.

Horrific Violations

Many organizations working in the field of women's rights have documented and listed most of the violations against Sudanese women since the start of the war more than a year ago, confirming the violence they have endured. Various human rights groups have detailed the abuses faced by women in Sudan, including physical assaults, lack of educational and health rights, and deteriorating security, living conditions, and environmental situations, as highlighted by human rights activist Duaa Mamoun.

Women suffer from severe food shortages due to the war, besides the fear of the unknown during the internal displacement crisis

Women and girls are experiencing severe food shortages due to the war, along with the fear of the unknown during the internal displacement crisis, rising housing costs, and the lack of camps. The number of internally displaced people has reached nearly 8 million, while more than 2 million have sought refuge in neighboring countries and the Gulf states. Additionally, many are stranded between South Sudan, Egypt, Uganda, Libya, and Chad, facing harassment and various forms of humiliation.

The Sudanese Group for Victims of Enforced Disappearances reported a large number of cases of enforced disappearance among women, who are likely subjected to rape and sexual slavery or forced into domestic labor. This was confirmed by a group of detainees who managed to escape from homes used by the forces for accommodation or as bases in cities like Khartoum and Bahri, or from strategic areas and institutions taken over by the invading forces as temporary barracks for resuming military operations against the army and civilians, aiming to forcibly displace them from their areas and settle in them to achieve goals of settlement and stability.

The UN Human Rights Commission attributed 70% of confirmed sexual violence incidents to fighters wearing “Rapid Support Forces” uniforms, with no regard for humanity and indifferent to the presence of children, women, or the elderly.

Sexual Violence

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, stated that sexual violence, including rape, as a weapon of war remains a despicable and distinctive feature. He added that his office has documented 60 incidents of conflict-related sexual violence involving at least 120 victims across the country, the vast majority of whom are women and girls. Türk expressed regret that these numbers do not reflect the true situation, likely due to the difficulty of reaching the actual number of victims amidst the ongoing war.

In the regions of Darfur, Khartoum, Kurdufan, and Al-Jazira, which are among the most affected areas, food shortages threaten more than 7,000 new mothers in the coming days if urgent assistance is not provided, according to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

Food shortages threaten more than 7,000 new mothers in the coming days if urgent assistance is not provided

Amid the ongoing suffering caused by this war, the UNFPA, together with partners, is working to deliver reproductive health services to women and girls, as well as protection and response services for gender-based violence, as the conflict in Sudan approaches its second year.

Mohamed Al-Amin, the UNFPA representative, noted that it is difficult to obtain accurate statistics on the extent of gender-based violence in various parts of Sudan, especially in cities that have experienced internal fighting.

While the “Rapid Support Forces” seek to control Sudanese cities and states, their violent violations clash with Arab customs and traditions and the Sharia law advocated by Islam, which strictly prohibits targeting women, children, the elderly, the weak, clergy, and workmen.

Although Islamic law prohibits the practice of taking captives and kidnapping civilians, many girls have been abducted from Khartoum and relocated to other places. This has been documented by the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA), which reported 104 cases of abduction and enforced disappearance of women and young girls since the beginning of the war.

The principles of international humanitarian law prohibit and criminalize the kidnapping of civilians and mandate their protection, aligning with the principles of Sharia law and the Sunnah of the Prophet.

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With the Sudan war entering its eleventh month, American policy appears significantly confused in finding a suitable formula to deal with the ongoing situation. This is especially true given the United States' substantial political and diplomatic investment in supporting Sudan's democratic transition, such as backing the political agreement following the decisions of the Chairman of the Sudanese Sovereignty Council, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, in October 2021.

The new development on the American scene is the emergence of several movements, most notably within Congress, to pressure President Joe Biden's administration to take concrete steps to address the escalating situation in Sudan due to the ongoing war with no clear end in sight. This comes amid increasing risks of its expansion, threatening the fragile stability in Sudan's neighboring countries, alongside clear external interventions driven by conflicting interests and opposing factions.

This article aims to study the recent American movements concerning the conflict in Sudan, the extent of these movements, and how successful they might be in creating a breakthrough that could lead to an acceptable formula to stop the war and expedite the achievement of a comprehensive peace agreement.

Congressional Moves: Concurrent Resolution

A concurrent resolution regarding the situation in Sudan has been presented to Congress by the Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, Benjamin Cardin, and the ranking Republican member, Jim Risch, along with a group of bipartisan lawmakers, citing numerous reports.

The resolution states that the Senate "condemns the atrocities, including those reaching the level of genocide, committed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militias against the Masalit tribe and other ethnic groups in Darfur." The resolution reveals that the RSF has carried out "extrajudicial arrests, torture, beatings, extortion, sexual and gender-based violence, gang rape, sexual slavery, and forced displacement." ⁽¹⁾

The resolution, which could pave the way for subsequent steps from the administration, calls for mediation to achieve a comprehensive ceasefire and end the violence and atrocities being committed. It urges the U.S. administration to take urgent steps to work with the international community to find means to protect civilians, "including the establishment of humanitarian corridors and safe zones," and to activate the UN Security Council resolution on the arms embargo to Darfur. It also proposes adopting specific steps and measures to monitor violations and crimes for the purpose of accountability.

The resolution, which could potentially become law, calls on the U.S. administration to support the regular documentation of atrocities and genocidal practices related to Sudan, and to support international criminal courts and investigations to hold the RSF accountable. It also calls for the Atrocity Prevention Task Force to "conduct a comprehensive review of its efforts to prevent, analyze, and respond to atrocities in Sudan in line with the U.S. 2022 Strategy to Anticipate, Prevent, and Respond to Atrocities. " ⁽²⁾

The movement of this group of Congress members interested in Sudan emerged against the backdrop of criticisms directed at the Biden administration for not giving sufficient attention to the Sudanese crisis and for the President not showing tangible interaction or serious concern despite the gravity of the situation. Last week, these members presented a resolution more severe in its content than previous ones, classifying the RSF's practices in Darfur against specific ethnic groups as "genocide." This classification draws a parallel to the events in the Sudanese region between 2003 and 2004 by the Janjaweed militia, which led Congress and then-President George W. Bush's administration to declare genocide in Darfur, followed by subsequent punitive measures.

Molly Phee's Efforts

On the other hand, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee has been active in the region, reiterating her country’s commitment to finding a peaceful solution to the conflict in Sudan. In a virtual press conference, she emphasized that the United States is highly concerned about the Sudanese issue and is working through various channels with other partners to achieve sustainable peace. However, she denied any knowledge of the U.S. administration planning to appoint a special envoy to Sudan. ⁽³⁾

Molly Phee attended African Union meetings in Addis Ababa recently, seeking a new pathway to rescue the negotiation processes that have failed under U.S. auspices, including the Jeddah and IGAD platforms. She also met with the delegation of the Democratic Civil Forces Coordination (Taqaddam) in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, discussing the developments in Sudan, efforts to end the war, achieve peace, and the future plans of the Taqaddam coordination. ⁽⁴⁾

The U.S. and Sudan: Upcoming Scenario

From recent congressional moves and Molly Phee's tour, it appears that the United States may shift from its previously lukewarm response to the violent developments in Sudan, drawing on its stances toward other conflicts in the Middle East and Africa over the past decade. ⁽⁵⁾ This shift could involve crafting new, astute approaches to handling the Sudanese issue, leveraging its influence in international economic, financial, and political institutions due to its institutional legacy. The U.S. Department of State should learn from past mistakes in Iraq and Afghanistan, as relying on groups lacking moral, intellectual, historical, and social standing can hinder progress and lead to setbacks, plunging the country into further despotism and corruption.

The U.S. seems to lack sufficient leverage over the Sudanese military, which has recently been armed by countries considered adversaries of the United States, such as Russia, Iran, and China. Moreover, there is no clear roadmap or action plan from the U.S. administration.

The information on which the administration bases its decisions seems to be often inaccurate and serves the interests of groups close to the U.S. administration within Sudan more than it protects long-term U.S. interests. This deprives decision-makers of an accurate understanding of the situation, leading to policies and interventions that are less effective.

Applying pressure in the Sudanese arena through various means, such as sanctions and accountability for war atrocities, remains America's preferred policy. However, the main determinant of the U.S. approach to developments in Sudan is its reflection on U.S. interests. Washington's policy toward the Sudanese conflict in the coming months may be subject to some change, influenced by the presidential race of 2024 and potential changes in leadership at the White House.

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(1) Rana Abtar, "A Draft Resolution in Congress Accuses the Rapid Support Forces of Committing Genocide Crimes," Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, February 13, 2024, link: https://shorturl.at/ginBZ.

(2) Othman Mirghani, "What is America Planning for Sudan?" Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, February 15, 2024, link: https://shorturl.at/uwHP1.

(3) U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs: "We are Working to Change the Reckless and Destructive Course of the Warring Parties in Sudan," Radio Dabanga, January 30, 2024, link: https://shorturl.at/elsux.

(3) A Delegation from "Tagammu" Meets U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Molly in Addis Ababa, Radio Dabanga, February 15, 2014, link: https://shorturl.at/dlEFJ.

(6) Maha Allam, "Calculated Engagement: Washington and the Violent Developments in Sudan," Egyptian Center for Strategic Studies, May 22, 2023, link: https://ecss.com.eg/34211.

(4) Alwaleed Adam Madibo, "Rebellion or Collapse of a Political and Military System," Al-Taghyeer Electronic Newspaper, February 15, 2024, link: https://shorturl.at/orsAD.

(5) Othman Nawai, "American Policy Towards Sudan: Where is it Leading?" Al-Rakoba Newspaper, February 16, 2024, link: https://shorturl.at/qKSVZ.

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