Egypt and Chad Ties with Sudan
As the international community scrambles to complete evacuation of their citizens, Sudanese people have been left to fend for themselves as the humanitarian crisis intensifies. Many Sudanese people have fled to neighbouring countries while others have had no choice but to stay in Sudan. Prices to leave Sudan have skyrocketed with reports of bus tickets to cross the border from Sudan to Egypt costing as much as $400 per person. Not only are ticket prices soaring but so are the prices for basic necessities, such as food, medicine, and fuel, as shortages are being reported around the country. Food prices have increased by 40 to 100 percent. Sudanese are also left to collect water from anywhere they can, leading to concerns of illness and disease that will likely deepen the humanitarian crisis.
The intensity of the fighting has made it harder for international organisations to distribute aid, following the deaths of three World Food Programme (WFP) workers. The WPF had suspended operations but as of the 1st of May have resumed their work. Supply chains have been destroyed due to fighting with many factories becoming ravaged from arson and air strikes. Vital shipments of wheat, one of Sudan’s biggest imports, have also decreased. The RSF, who have major control of Khartoum, have been seen looting and robbing shops while forcing civilians out of their homes in order to shelter themselves from air strikes.
In Darfur, looting of the WFP and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) warehouses left 4,000 metric tons of humanitarian goods unable to be distributed. The United Nations has worked relentlessly to try and get aid into the country, however, threats from both opposing forces have made this mission harder. It is critical for both sides to accept and follow through with the ceasefire for life saving humanitarian aid to safely enter the country. Greater pressure is needed by the international community in order to achieve a successful ceasefire.
The journey is not over for those who have fled into neighbouring countries. Immense pressure has been put on countries, such as Chad, one of the world's poorest countries, and Egypt who is facing its own economic and financial crisis. Chad has long been accepting Sudanese refugees from the Darfur region prior to the outbreak of conflict. But now over 20,000 refugees have arrived since the 15th of April. The current Humanitarian Response Plan for Chad is reported to be 97 per cent underfunded. There is also the alarming prospect of fighting spilling into Chad as the Janjaweed, made up of Sudanese Arab Militia, currently operate within the Eastern Chad area. This militia group has had links with the RSF and so pose a threat to the region and beyond.
Egypt, who has had strong ties to Sudan, has called for a ceasefire in a meeting with other Arab League nations. Egypt and de-facto ruler al-Burhan have had close relations, especially in terms of military cooperation, Red Sea security, and trade. This has increased tensions between the RSF leader Hemedti and Egypt. Egypt has shown their support for Burhan, sending him fighter jets prior to the outbreak of conflict and pilots after the fighting had begun. The ongoing Egypt-Burhan relationship is perceived as a threat to Hemedti.
Burhan and Hemedti successes favour different stakeholders and it is clear their disagreements were cause for conflict. This makes it less hopeful for fighting to cease as escalation to a civil war are fears for neighbouring Chad. A spillover is increasingly possible due to Chad’s ethnic ties with Darfur refugees. Egypt has close ties with Sudan, highlighting its important role in diplomatic efforts to stop the conflict. However, their support of Burhan is an immediate threat to the RSF and will likely make diplomatic efforts more difficult.