Sudan’s government on Wednesday slammed a donor conference hosted by Germany as “surprising and unacceptable,” claiming the event meddles in the country’s internal affairs. According to a report by France 24, Khartoum officials criticized the Berlin-based meeting for being organized without their consultation.
The conference aims to revive failing peace talks and mobilize aid for one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. However, the Sudanese government warned that engaging with paramilitary groups during such forums undermines state sovereignty.
The brutal war between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) is now entering its fourth year. The meeting in Berlin brings together aid agencies, civil society groups, and various governments, but notably excludes both the army and the RSF.
A humanitarian catastrophe
Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz previously described the conflict as “the greatest humanitarian crisis of our time, which is not very often in the public eye,” according to France 24. The conflict has displaced 11 million people, with twice as many facing starvation.
Recent violence has intensified, with the United Nations reporting that nearly 700 civilians have died in drone strikes since January. The attacks have specifically targeted the southern Kordofan region and Blue Nile State.
Despite the ongoing violence, some signs of stability have emerged in the capital. The army re-established control over Khartoum last year, leading to the return of roughly 1.7 million people, according to UN data.
In some sectors of the city, reconstruction has begun and markets have reopened. National secondary school exams even took place this week following two years of school closures.
Yet, the physical scars of the war remain visible. Residents describe a landscape of destruction and loss.
“Three years of war have worn people down. We have lost work, savings and any sense of stability,” said Amgad Ahmed, 42, a resident of Omdurman.
Al-Basheer Babker al-Basheer, 41, who recently returned to the capital, described the sight of the city center as “heartbreaking.” He noted that the walls of his former university are now black from the conflict.
This Berlin summit follows similar failed diplomatic efforts hosted by London and Paris over the last two years, according to the outlet.
