Genocide declared in Sudan: The urgent need to support local peacebuilding
The United States has recognised the atrocities in Sudan—marked by mass killings, systematic and gender-based violence, and displacement—as genocide, and imposed sanctions on perpetrators. The announcement comes over a year after Sudanese civil society called for decisive preventative action against further atrocities being committed.
Sudanese people, as well as the international community, played a vital role in documenting attacks on predominantly non-Arab communities across Darfur for over 21 months and famine in 5 areas, which may have contributed to this genocide determination.
Today, 30.4 million people need humanitarian support. Since the most recent escalation of the conflict began in April 2023, 14.6 million people have been forcibly displaced – the world’s worst displacement crisis. More than 25 million people face severe food insecurity, with 775,000 suffering ‘catastrophic food insecurity’ – meaning people are dying daily from starvation.
What now?
This genocide determination must be a call to action – for governments, organisations, and individuals to invest in locally led solutions.
At Peace Direct, we know that lasting peace begins with those most affected by conflict. Local peacebuilders understand the conflict, needs and barriers to peace better than any international actor. Their work, often unnoticed and underfunded, is vital in preventing further escalation and creating pathways to reconciliation.
We call on you to #KeepEyesOnSudan and support local peacebuilders working tirelessly to support their communities and end unimaginable violence.
In October 2024, we shared Sudanese peacebuilders’ insights into the war’s impact on peacebuilding efforts. They called on the international community to support a ceasefire and immediate humanitarian relief. They added,
