Thanks versus tanks in Sudan鈥檚 war
Now in its third week, a civil war in Sudan between competing armed forces has something working against it: a high degree of hospitality in neighboring countries toward people fleeing the violence as well as gratitude for those assisting the exodus and offering sanctuary. The world saw a similar response in Europe just 14 months ago toward Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion. That compassion helped fortify Ukraine鈥檚 morale.
The United Nations warns that 800,000 people could soon leave Africa鈥檚 third most populous nation, up from the more than 100,000 people who have already fled to neighboring countries such as Chad, Egypt, and South Sudan. More than 330,000 are internally displaced. The prospect of even greater outflows helps explain why so many officials are thankful for any sort of welcome mat across Sudan鈥檚 borders.
鈥淐had has been generously welcoming in Sudanese refugees,鈥� says David Miliband, head of the International Rescue Committee. In Egypt, people have 鈥渙pened their homes and everyone is racing for free full hospitality鈥� while the Sudanese refugees insist they pay for their accommodation 鈥渟o as not to become a burden on the Egyptians,鈥� according to the EMEA Tribune. In addition, the U.N. thanked France for help in evacuating its personnel while Germany thanked Egypt for assisting 700 people of 40 countries to exit.
Sudanese are also aiding their own, especially people from the capital where the fighting is fierce and who have headed toward Port Sudan. 鈥淓very village & town we passed thru people would come out with their kerkade (hibiscus) juice and cold water for the 鈥楰hartoum travellers鈥�,鈥� tweeted one Sudanese woman. Near the Egyptian border, one woman living in a mud hut offers bread to the displaced people. 鈥淲e will welcome any guest who comes to us. Generosity exists and goodness exists,鈥澛燦aamat Jabal Sayyid Hasan told Africanews.
The northeast region of Africa has experienced so many conflicts that most of the countries have long hosted refugees from the others. Last week, the African Union asked Sudan鈥檚 neighbors and its international partners to 鈥渇acilitate the transit鈥� of civilians fleeing the violence 鈥渨ithout hindrance.鈥� It was a subtle reminder to keep expressing the generosity that already largely exists.
