While recovering from past political issues, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo have each found themselves in a crisis.
Amidst ongoing events, the world has been too preoccupied with trivial topics to notice the impacting wars and genocide ensuing in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The Sudanese are in another unstable political situation that threatens the safety of the people and country. On the other hand, not only have the people of the DRC experienced genocide through the exploitation of labor, but are now introduced to additional political issues.
The conflict in Sudan arose in April of this year, and since then has escalated into a devastating massacre. The Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) originally joined together to overthrow the Bashir regime in 2019. But, since their successful mission, the groups have faced rising agitation between each other. This is a result of conflict stemming from efforts of collaboration and democratic transition. Heated battles that began in the Sudanese capital (Khartoum) have spread across the entirety of the country. The Sudanese, who have had no desire to participate in this conflict, are caught between the military and the militia, fighting to rule them. The seven-month long conflict has led to the forced displacement of over 5 million people.
The Congolese have been experiencing what some call modern-day slavery. The DRC contains the richest cobalt reserves in the world and as a result of the exploitative, deadly working conditions, the working population has decreased from a high number of fatalities.
Over a million have been displaced from their homes, as they are “in the way” of efforts to uncover other reserves. In addition to the genocide through exploitative labor, the March 23rd Movement (M23) backed by Rwanda has committed several war crimes of rape and murder of innocent civilians. Sexual assault rates have increased significantly because of the lack of humanitarian aid and justice.
Andrea Lee ‘26 breaks down her understanding of these conflicts: “I am aware of the genocide occurring in [the DRC], however, I do not know much about what is going on in Sudan.” She explains that she has not seen any news coverage regarding these issues and was brought up to speed through social media.
“I think there hasn’t been much awareness raised for [the DRC] because we, as people in America, benefit from the cobalt extracted from the [periphery country] because of its use in electronic goods like our cell phones or laptops. Large corporations are profiting off of this exploitative labor and are trying to cover it up to keep consumers buying these products.”
Lee describes a necessity for people to make a collective effort to support these humanitarian crises, saying, “People tend to turn their heads when it comes to acknowledging these situations so that they don’t get affected by it. We should be more adamant about giving aid to the Sudanese and Congolese affected because even though these conflicts are unfolding from afar, these citizens deserve treatment all the same as Westerners who have access to stable infrastructure.” She concludes that communities should help the cause by raising the needed awareness.
Many are not even up to date on the blatant ethnic cleansing occurring in these countries. The ignorance of society and higher powers is a contributing factor to the violence that has unfolded in these countries. When it comes to these international conflicts, educating yourself is one of the most important steps in supporting these issues. An understanding of the situations in Sudan and the DRC can help spread what the affected need. Sharing accurate information, supporting humanitarian organizations (including the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and Islamic Relief Worldwide), and engaging in conversations regarding these issues will go a long way in supporting the affected communities.
In the face of the harrowing crises in Sudan and the DRC, the global community must shift its focus from trivial matters and acknowledge the pressing need for intervention in these regions. The stories of internal displacement, exploitation, and violence underscore the urgency for international awareness and aid, as the people of Sudan and the DRC endure the devastating consequences of conflict and human rights abuses.
By breaking down the complexities of these conflicts and emphasizing the role of education, accurate information-sharing, and support for humanitarian organizations, there is hope for a collective effort that can pave the way toward easing the suffering of those affected.
