From Externalization to Humanitarian Aid: Reforming EU Policies to Address Sudan's Crisis
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has plunged the country into one of the most severe
humanitarian crises witnessed globally. With an estimated 14,000 lives lost and a staggering
8.1 million people displaced, including 6.3 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) and 1.8
million refugees, the situation is dire, as reported by the United Nations. The turmoil has
particularly affected regions like Darfur, Kordofan, and Al Gezira, where communities face
acute food insecurity, with 17.7 million Sudanese people, representing 37% of the population,
struggling to meet their basic dietary needs.
Despite the challenges, civil society organizations and community sources have intermittently
reported on the humanitarian tragedies unfolding across Sudan. In Darfur and South
Kordofan, the lack of access to food has resulted in deaths, especially among vulnerable
groups such as children and the elderly. Moreover, the cessation of humanitarian convoys to
Darfur and the blockage of vital routes in South Kordofan have compounded the crisis, leaving
many without essential aid.
The withdrawal of humanitarian organizations from Sudan has left vulnerable populations
even more exposed. In IDP camps like Hassa Hissa in Central Darfur, the absence of food
assistance has led to a rise in malnutrition-related deaths. Although local initiatives have
attempted to fill the gap, limited resources have hindered their effectiveness, underscoring
the urgent need for international support.
Tragically, the humanitarian situation shows no signs of improvement, with civilians in Darfur
and Kordofan bearing the brunt of food insecurity and disease outbreaks. The escalating crisis
has forced many families to flee their homes, seeking refuge in neighboring countries such as
Chad, Central Africa, Uganda, and Libya. However, the lack of assistance in refugee camps has
driven some, particularly youth, to embark on perilous journeys to Europe in search of safety.
Beyond the immediate humanitarian concerns, the conflict in Sudan has far-reaching security
implications for the region. The ethnicization of the conflict, coupled with increasing banditry
and transnational criminality, poses a significant threat to stability. Additionally, the Niger
withdrawal of multinational joint forces from the Lake Chad Basin and the potential crisis
facing the Chad government exacerbate security challenges, potentially impacting
neighboring countries from Mali to the Red Sea.
In the face of these mounting challenges, the European Union (EU) must take decisive action.
Mere financial aid to authoritarian regimes is insufficient to address the root causes of the
crisis. The EU's approach to managing
migration through externalization,
including significant
funds allocated to various countries and initiatives such
as the 2023 €127 million deal with
Tunisia, and $2 billion to Egypt
to curb migration should be reassessed.
Critics, including researchers and MEPs, have raised concerns about the
lack of transparency
and the diverse sources of funding in the EU's externalization policies. Funds spread across
different EU funds make it difficult to discern the exact purposes and impacts of the spending.
Moreover, there are calls for stringent oversight to ensure that the money doesn't
inadvertently support abusive practices, such as the EU's support for entities like the Libyan