MEP Gyöngyösi: Time to focus on Sudan

Sudan, one of the largest African countries has recently seen clashes breaking out between the Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary group created by former head of state Omar al-Bashir back in 2013, and the armed forces of the current president who also began his military career under al-Bashir.

The region is characterized by a marked presence of Russia’s Wagner Group as well as the Chinese government, which already established strong positions and significant business interests in this African country.

If the intensifying clashes lead to an extended civil war, we will likely feel the effects of it here in Europe, too. If Sudan gets destabilized even more than it is now, the situation may cause yet another refugee crisis, especially if Moscow follows its usual agenda and uses the refugees to incite strife in Europe.

Although the European public is understandably focused on the Ukraine conflict at the moment, it is high time for the EU to take a more active role in shaping the future in Sudan, not just because Ursula von der Leyen promised a more active foreign policy and greater attention to African relations, but also because remaining passive in an increasingly polarizing world may easily lead to our continent’s downfall.

Disclaimer: the sole liability for the opinions stated rests with the author(s). These opinions do not necessarily reflect the official position of the European Parliament.

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