As the sun sets over Sudan, the shadows cast by faltering peace talks and escalating conflict paint a grim picture of a nation teetering on the brink. The recent breakdown in Jeddah of negotiations brokered by Saudi Arabia and the USA dashes hopes for an end to a crisis that has displaced more than 6.5 million people; shattered the economy, and unleashed ethnically driven massacres in Darfur. The pressing question remains. How did a country that once united to oust former ruler Omar al-Bashir find itself mired in internal strife? The army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), once comrades in the struggle against Bashir, have turned on each other over a transition plan, plunging Sudan into a vortex of chaos.

The dire situation in Sudan demands global attention and concerted efforts for resolution. The lack of progress at the peace talks is a harsh reminder that the international community’s role goes beyond mere mediation. It is a call to action, a plea to address the root causes of the conflict and not merely its symptoms. What unfolds in Khartoum is not just a political power struggle. It is a humanitarian catastrophe. Civilians bear the brunt of the conflict, facing artillery attacks that tear through their homes. The RSF’s occupation of much of Khartoum raises concerns about the safety and well-being of the capital’s residents. It is a stark reminder that the cost of political discord is often paid in the currency of human suffering. The plight of Sudan should prompt nations around the globe to re-evaluate their approach to conflict resolution.

The United States, having recently sanctioned Bashir-era intelligence officials, must now seize the opportunity to play a more active role in fostering lasting peace. Mediators, while ready for talks, rightly insist that the warring parties demonstrate tangible commitment to their promises. The international community should not settle for mere rhetoric. Actions on the ground must align with the pledges made at the negotiation table. The RSF’s advances in Darfur and Kordofan intensify the urgency of the situation. The international response cannot be confined to diplomatic chambers. It must extend to on-theground humanitarian assistance.

The re-opening of markets and hospitals in Darfur by the RSF may offer a semblance of normalcy, but it should not overshadow the atrocities committed during the conflict. Sudanese Army Chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan’s proclamation that the war “would not end until every inch of this country soiled by the rebellion is free” rings hollow against the backdrop of a nation fractured and bleeding. The international community must hold both the army and the RSF accountable for their actions, urging them to prioritise the well-being of the Sudanese people over power struggles. The time for action is now, as every delay deepens the wounds of a nation in turmoi