Addressing the Crisis in Sudan: Strategies to Counter Disinformation, Gold Smuggling, and Arms Embargos

The Sudanese Civil War, often dubbed “the forgotten war,” has been raging for over a year, resulting in over 15,550 lives lost, 7.7 million people displaced, and 18 million facing acute food insecurity. Despite the devastating toll, the conflict remains underreported compared to other global conflicts. At the heart of the conflict is a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), both of which have committed war crimes, including ethnic cleansing in Darfur.

The conflict also presents a geopolitical challenge to the United States, as Iran seeks to increase its influence over the SAF. Iran’s involvement in supplying military equipment to the SAF and attempting to negotiate the construction of a military port on the Red Sea raises concerns about Iranian influence in Sudan. To counter this, the U.S. has introduced House Resolution 982 condemning the violence in Sudan and appointed a Special Envoy for Sudan to mediate a peaceful resolution.

To address the conflict, the U.S. must take steps to counter disinformation campaigns by the SAF and RSF on social media, tackle gold smuggling financing both sides of the conflict, and expand arms embargos to prevent external powers like Iran and the UAE from supplying military aid. By pressuring social media platforms, PR firms, and countries involved in gold smuggling, the U.S. can disrupt the elements fueling the conflict and potentially bring the warring factions to the negotiating table.

The U.S. must not overlook the Sudanese Civil War, as the longer the conflict persists, the more leverage Iran gains over the SAF, posing a threat to regional stability and U.S. strategic interests. By taking decisive action to address the root causes of the conflict, the U.S. can work towards a peaceful resolution and prevent Iran from establishing a stronghold in Sudan.