Dear Editor,

Just a few days ago clashes broke out across Sudan between rival factions of the country’s military Government. This seemingly perpetual cataclysmic fighting in Sudan is not an unprecedented occurrence, but, regrettably, another chapter in the country’s tragic history of infighting for various reasons.

This can be traced back to the 19th century when the British/Egyptian colonisation of present-day Sudan and South Sudan established inequalities between the Arab-dominated north and the black African-dominated south. I must first declare that in no way am I perpetuating the false narrative that violence is endemic to the continent of Africa. The two major world wars (started in Europe) as well as the latest armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine will validate the assertion that violence transcends ethnicity and geographical locations.

As it stands, approximately 200 people have lost their lives, with rival groups expressing repudiation regarding a permanent ceasefire. What is concerning is the scarcity of condemnation from the international community. Yes, there is the odd statement from the UN castigating the actions of the belligerents; however, the silence is deafening from major international players.

When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, almost instantaneously there was a collective denouncement of such an action. Additionally, aid, in terms of military assistance and the opening of refugee corridors, along with other forms of help, was offered to Ukraine. The hashtags went viral on social media, display pictures were changed to depict the colours of the Ukrainian flag, football matches displayed messages of support, among other acts of unity and empathy with the people of Ukraine. The same was done for France after the 2015 Paris attacks. To date, the hashtags are almost non-existent for the people of Sudan.

This is not new, as the world seems unbothered for the most part when acts of violence against humanity are committed on the African continent, in Haiti, Latin America, and even in parts of Asia. When will African lives or non-white lives, for that matter, be seen as important to the point at which the world openly condemns and support the individuals affected? That change, in my view, starts with us. We need to put the same energy into condemning acts of violence on the African continent as we would if it happened in Western Europe. We need to value African lives as all lives are important.

Mikhail A Graham

mikhailgraham@yahoo.com