Opinion Today: Has the world forgotten about Sudan?

The people of Darfur are at risk of a genocide — again.

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story December 11, 2023 By Krista Mahr Senior International Editor, Opinion On April 15, war erupted in Sudan. Tensions between Sudan's army chief and a powerful paramilitary leader exploded into a national conflict, killing thousands and forcing millions from their homes. Although the world has shifted its attention to a new devastating war, the violence in Sudan has not ended — on the contrary, it has escalated furiously. Now, the people of Darfur, in western Sudan, are at risk of experiencing a genocide for the second time in 20 years, Alex de Waal and Abdul Mohammed warned in a recent guest essay. How can this be happening again? Some of the perpetrators were involved the first time. Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which have been carrying out the series of deadly attacks in Darfur, evolved from the Janjaweed militias that pillaged scores of villages in the region two decades ago. Then, they were under orders by the president at the time, Omar al-Bashir, to crush Darfuri rebels. Now, R.S.F. fighters are once again targeting specific ethnic groups with killing, displacement and starvation. And as De Waal and Mohammed write, they are "widely reported as using dehumanizing language typical of perpetrators of genocide." Secretary of State Antony Blinken said last week that members of the R.S.F. and its opponent in the war, the Sudanese army, have both committed war crimes, and that R.S.F. members have also committed ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity. The Treasury Department has just sanctioned three former Sudanese officials, and the U.S. has helped lead peace talks, along with Saudi Arabia, in Jeddah. At a summit over the weekend, a body that has been mediating talks between the warring parties said they had agreed to commit to a ceasefire, potentially a step in the right direction. But there is much more that must happen to secure peace in Darfur — and that the Biden administration can do, the authors write. "Without action at the highest level, America risks becoming a near-silent witness to another genocide," the authors write. "Mr. Biden can change that." Read the guest essay: Agence France-Presse — Getty Images Guest Essay The War the World Forgot The people of Darfur are caught in a battle between Sudanese armies. By Alex de Waal and Abdul Mohammed Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT Here's what we're focusing on today: Editors' Picks Guest Essay For Palestinians, the Future Is Being Bulldozed The West Bank is policed by armed settlers and littered with destroyed houses that residents are forbidden to repair. By Megan K. Stack and Samar Hazboun More From Opinion The Conversation Even in Washington, Weasel Words Will Only Get You So Far Even in Washington. 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