Geopolitical Briefing: Sudan
19 May 2025
- Sudan’s humanitarian crisis deepens as U.S. aid cuts leave critical food supplies unused, risking expiration.
- Drone attacks on Port Sudan by RSF mark a significant escalation, disrupting vital infrastructure and aid delivery.
- Sudan severs diplomatic ties with the UAE, accusing it of supporting RSF operations.
- Russia and Sudan reaffirm commitment to establishing a Russian naval base on the Red Sea coast.(Reuters, Jamestown)
Sudan’s humanitarian crisis has intensified due to significant U.S. aid cuts, leaving approximately 60,000 metric tons of food—enough to feed 3.5 million people for a month—stranded in storage facilities across Djibouti, South Africa, Dubai, and Houston. Valued at over $98 million, these supplies risk expiration and may be destroyed or repurposed as animal feed. The aid freeze stems from the decommissioning of USAID and contract terminations, halting the distribution of food despite increasing global hunger driven by conflict and climate change. Humanitarian organizations report severe disruptions, with children already dying in countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo due to halted programs. UNICEF warns that 2.4 million malnourished children might miss critical nutrition aid due to shrinking supplies. The situation highlights the urgent need for action to prevent the wastage of critical humanitarian resources during a time of unprecedented global hunger. (Reuters)
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have launched a series of drone attacks on Port Sudan, a strategic city previously considered safe. These attacks targeted key infrastructure, including the main airport and power stations, leading to widespread power outages and water shortages. The RSF’s use of drones in this region marks a significant escalation in the conflict, aiming to disrupt the Sudanese Armed Forces’ (SAF) logistics and governance capabilities. Port Sudan serves as a critical hub for humanitarian aid, and these attacks have severely hampered relief efforts, exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation. (The Times, BBC, Institute for the Study of War)
In response to the escalating conflict and alleged foreign interference, Sudan has severed diplomatic ties with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), accusing it of supporting the RSF. Sudan’s Defense Minister Yassin Ibrahim stated that the UAE violated Sudanese sovereignty by allegedly backing the RSF, which is engaged in armed conflict with the national army. The UAE denies supplying weapons to the RSF and recently avoided a genocide-related lawsuit at the International Court of Justice due to jurisdictional limitations. This move indicates Sudan’s attempt to assert political independence and reduce external influence over its internal affairs.
Sudan and Russia have reaffirmed their commitment to establishing a Russian naval base on Sudan’s Red Sea coast. An agreement signed years ago for the creation of a Russian naval base remains on the table following talks in Moscow, Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Yusef Sharif said in an interview with Russia Today on Wednesday. This development reflects Sudan’s strategic efforts to diversify its international partnerships and enhance its geopolitical standing. By engaging with Russia, Sudan aims to bolster its security infrastructure and assert greater control over its maritime borders, potentially reducing reliance on Western powers and fostering a more balanced foreign policy approach.
