WORLD NEWS: After three years of war in Sudan, international donors meet in Germany
In a major development, the following story has emerged from the international scene.
Residents receive aid from the World Food Program, in Omdurman (Sudan), March 11, 2026. EBRAHIM HAMID/AFP In Sudan, the war between the army and paramilitaries is entering its fourth year, after having plunged the majority of Sudanese into poverty, uprooting 11 million of them from their homes and spreading hunger. On the anniversary of the start of this conflict, Wednesday April 15, an international conference brings together donors in Berlin to revive faltering peace talks and raise funds for the “worst humanitarian crisis in the world”, according to the United Nations (UN). The Berlin meeting brings together governments, humanitarian agencies and civil society organizations, but excludes the two belligerents, the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, will represent France at this meeting. Similar meetings in London and Paris over the past two years have not resulted in diplomatic progress. Despite the tens of thousands of deaths it has caused since April 2023, this war “is not very often in the spotlight”, regretted the German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz. Nearly 700 civilians have been killed in drone strikes since January, as both sides have intensified their attacks, particularly in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states, according to the UN. 1.7 million people returned to Khartoum A fragile calm has, however, settled in the capital, Khartoum, recaptured by the army in 2025, where reconstruction has begun in certain sectors. The markets have reopened, automobile traffic has resumed, the final secondary school exams were held this week, after almost two years of massive school closures. According to the UN, around 1.7 million people have returned to Khartoum. But the danger remains and authorities are slowly working to neutralize tens of thousands of unexploded bombs. Diplomatic efforts led by the Quad (United States, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Egypt) have so far failed, with the two camps continuing to compete for control of the territory of this third largest country in Africa, benefiting from the support of foreign sponsors. Read also | Article reserved for our subscribers Abdulmonam Eassa, winner of the World Press Photo for his reporting in Sudan: “It’s a story that has very personal resonances” Read later Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey support the Sudanese army, and the United Arab Emirates are accused of arming the RSF. All deny any direct involvement in the hostilities. The Quad-led talks were also disrupted after army chief Abdel Fattah Al-Bourhane questioned Abu Dhabi’s participation. Unprecedented humanitarian crisis “Repetition of sexual violence, repetition of displacements, repetition of deaths. We have the impression of being stuck in a loop,” denounced the UN official in Sudan, Denise Brown, on Monday. The conference must discuss how to “exert influence on key players,” said German diplomatic spokesperson Kathrin Deschauer. Stay informed Follow us on WhatsApp Receive the essential African news on WhatsApp with the “Le Monde Afrique” channel Join “Le Monde Afrique” newsletter Every Saturday, find a week of news and debates, from the editorial staff of “Le Monde Afrique” Subscribe “Many external actors are involved in this war,” noted Luca Renda, the representative of the United Nations Development Program in Sudan. “As long as this continues, unfortunately, the chances of peace will remain very slim. » Beyond the widespread destruction of infrastructure, the war has pushed the population – some 50 million inhabitants – further into food insecurity and poverty. But the appeal for donations launched by the UN for 2026 is currently only 16% funded. Famine was declared last year in the capitals of North Darfur, El-Fasher, and South Kordofan, Kadougli, with 20 other areas at risk, according to the UN. In Berlin, the president of the African Union Commission, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf welcomed the German initiative, “while the whole world focuses on Iran, Ukraine and other crises.” But “we are not yet” at a cessation of hostilities, he admitted. Read also | Article reserved for our subscribers David Miliband, of the NGO International Rescue Committee: “In the new global disorder, Africa cannot be forgotten” Read later Le Monde with AFP
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This development could have far-reaching consequences for global politics in the months ahead.
The implications of this story extend beyond borders and could affect millions of people globally.
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Source: This article was originally published in another language by International : Toute l’actualité sur Le Monde.fr. and has been translated and adapted for our global English-speaking audience. Read the original article here.