Dear Editor: Located between Egypt to its north and Ethiopia to its south, with an eastern border on the Red Sea, the Republic of Sudan is Africa’s third-largest country by area.
Two weeks ago, Sudan was not a topic of conversation. Since then, in the midst of a faltering transition to a democratic civilian-led government, a power struggle has erupted between Sudan’s military loyal to the de facto ruler and a paramilitary force consisting of a collection of militias that support a former warlord. The capital city of Khartoum has incurred bombings resulting in damage to buildings, to airport runways, and the deaths of more than 100 civilians.
Last week, our government closed its embassy in Khartoum. Overnight on Sunday, U.S. special forces successfully evacuated government personnel – diplomats and staff – from the embassy. However, it is estimated that some 14,000 Americans, many with dual citizenship, remain in Sudan and not all are ready to leave.
Concern for the safety of these U.S. nationals is high, especially since our government has no deep relationship with the leadership in Sudan and, therein, limited leverage. Any further evacuation will likely involve overland vehicular transport to the coastal city, Port Sudan.
Fears are growing that escalating conflict could further fragment the country, worsen political turbulences, and draw in neighboring states all further complicating the chance of a successful transition to a civilian-led government.
As Sudan may be teetering on the verge of civil war, the U.S., Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Britain, along with the United Nations and the African Union are sponsoring mediation in Sudan. As the country’s strategic location and agricultural wealth are attracting regional power plays, Western powers fear the potential of Russia establishing a military base on Sudan’s border on the Red Sea.
Even though our international attention seems to be immediately focused on the existing conflict in Ukraine and looming aggression by China toward Taiwan, we should not underestimate the burgeoning struggle in Sudan. How we respond could well be the next critical measure of U.S. geopolitical resolve.
Peter Wibell, Rutledge