Devendra Kumar
Celebrities and scholars are calling for decisive action to end the war in Sudan, which has been ravaging the country for over a year. The devastating conflict, which began on April 15, 2023, has led to the displacement of 8.2 million people internally and externally. The situation is particularly dire for women and girls, who are facing sexual and gender-based violence with alarming frequency.
According to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, at least 118 cases of sexual violence have been reported, including rape, gang rape, and attempted rape, between April 2023 and mid-December. The Rapid Support Forces have been responsible for “many” of these violent acts, and the numbers include 19 children. The war has persisted for far too long, and it is imperative that the world comes together to demand an end to the conflict.
A coalition of famous individuals, including actors Bill Nighy and Alan Cumming, singer Paloma Faith, and film producer Barbara Broccoli, have penned an open letter to UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron, urging further action to bring an end to the war. The letter, organized by the global feminist organization the Circle, asserts that the conflict has persisted for too long and that it is time for decisive action.
The signatories are demanding that the UK government and other key states apply pressure on the warring parties and states that are supporting them to cease hostilities. They are also calling for sanctions to be imposed against key individuals on both sides, with more needing to be done to bring an end to the conflict. The Circle has also supported the South Sudan-based non-governmental organization Root of Generations, established by a woman who was displaced as a child by war in the region.
The founder of Root of Generations, Grace Dorong, emphasizes the vulnerability of women and children during times of conflict and urges decision-makers and leaders to consider the consequences of their actions on the lives of women and children. It is time for the world to come together and demand an end to the war in Sudan, with the letter urging that “enough is enough.” The situation is grim, but with the collective voices of these celebrities and scholars, it is hoped that the crisis will be brought to an end.