In recent months, Sudan has been experiencing a deepening crisis between its Army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The RSF is a paramilitary force created to fight against rebel groups in the western region of Darfur, but it has since grown in power and influence. 

On Saturday, April 15, following both parties' differing visions for the 'power' future of the North African country, a fight broke out, leaving the people of Sudan and other residents displaced and fearing for their safety.

Similar to the situation in Sudan, Ukraine, the second largest country in Eastern Europe, has had its fair share of crises after a war broke out with Russia on February 24, 2022.

In the case of Ukraine, its forces have fought back Russian invaders on all fronts, with many killed and several others displaced as the war continues.

With the ongoing war in Ukraine, the world has to deal with the crisis between the Army and the RSF in Sudan. However, most worrisome are concerns raised about international governments’ support of Sudan in comparison to Ukraine.

Support from Nations

Although the crisis in both countries differs due to their distinctive nature, in the case of Ukraine, the governments of both the United Kingdom and the United States of America provided non-lethal military aid, including communications equipment, body armour, and medical supplies in response to the ongoing crisis with Russia.

It has also provided economic assistance, such as trade deals and financial support and placed sanctions on Russia to help Ukraine's economy.

On the other hand, in Sudan, the US has been primarily focused on providing diplomatic assistance to address the needs of the population affected by the ongoing conflict. Both the UK and the US have also continued the evacuation of the nationals from the crisis-torn Sudan.

These countries are involved in diplomatic efforts to support a peaceful resolution to the conflict, including supporting negotiations between the Sudanese government and RSF.

Overall, the UK and US efforts in Ukraine and Sudan are tailored to address each situation's needs and challenges. In Ukraine, the UK has prioritized supporting the Ukrainian government and military in its war with Russia. In Sudan, the focus has been on providing humanitarian assistance and supporting diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict peacefully.

Evacuation: A case of discrimination against people in time of crisis?

The UK government announced the Homes for Ukraine Scheme, which allows individuals in the UK to sponsor a choice Ukrainian national or family to live with them for six months providing they have suitable accommodation to offer. The scheme allows Ukrainian families or individuals up to three years in the UK to access essential benefits like health care services.

In October 2022, a BBC analysis showed that almost 30,000 Ukrainian refugees had been in the UK for nearly six months and counting, but for Sudan, that appears to be different.

In a series of tweets, Dr. Nadia Baasher, a member of the Sudanese Junior Doctors' Association who works in the UK under the NHS (National Health Service), described the approach adopted by the UK government in its evacuation process in Sudan as disappointing.

Dr. Baasher highlighted some of the challenges faced by her colleagues who had visited families or acquaintances in Sudan and are trapped in the crisis. She said about 75 NHS doctors are currently in the North African country.

She said:

"The UK government will only evacuate those who are British nationals. We are deeply saddened that the daily selfless hard work in the NHS and through a pandemic does not make them worthy of a seat on the evacuation flight."

She added that NHS colleagues holding a biometric residency had taken the risk to journey to Wadi Seidna but were denied evacuation after putting themselves and their families at risk.

The same goes for Wathig Ali, a British citizen evacuated from Sudan alongside his wife, Haifa, and their six-year-old son, Oday.

Ali successfully drove his family from his house in Khartoum to the airstrip in Wadi Seidna Air Base – a 22 kilometres drive –  on Wednesday, April 26. With his papers, their marriage certificate paved the way for his wife to join him and on the evacuation flight to the UK

However, his mother, who is 70 and sick, was not granted access to the evacuation flight because of her nationality despite persuasion and plea by Ali, BBC reports.

Ali said: 

"It was heartbreaking that I had to say goodbye to my mum."

African Nation Vs. European Nation

At this point, it is worth wondering what makes one individual different and gives them unconditional access to some essential life-saving plans in times like this.

A security expert in Nigeria, Senator Iroegbu, told AMAKA that international politics is a matter of interest, and a nation is only willing to commit to the extent its interest or values are at stake within a conflict situation.

He said the problem is that African nations still need to mediate between the warring parties in Sudan, something the global community will not do because they will firstly consider what will benefit their national interest.

Iroegbu's says, "I won't see the US or the West's direct intervention, but they could use other means, including working through the African Union or calling on other allies and regional players like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and UAE.

"Ukraine, like the UK, is a European and white nation, just like it will be easier for more Sudanese refugees to be accommodated in neighbouring African countries than somewhere else."

While much is expected from the global powers, much more will be appreciated if African nations, including the AU, live up to their responsibility and salvage the situation in Sudan.