Staff ReportsPresident Joe Biden has decided to wade into the murky waters of Sudanโs civil conflict, which has been dragging on for a staggering 17 months. His recent statement lays the blame squarely at the feet of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). One can only imagine how the folks in those organizations are reacting to the Presidentโs finger-pointing, probably just as concerned as the average American when their Wi-Fi drops during a heated online game.
In what can only be described as an ode to humanitarian crises, Biden lamented the plight facing the Sudanese population, which has apparently devolved into one of the worldโs worst scenarios. Nearly 10 million displaced people โ sounds like a small city suddenly vacuumed into the void. The President reportedly highlighted the increased dangers for women and girls, warning of kidnappings and horrific abuse. Famine looms larger than the U.S. national debt, especially in Darfur, putting pressure on an already beleaguered situation.
The terrible suffering in SUDAN!
President BIDEN's STATEMENT
Read full Statement here->https://t.co/EoTpF8frIT pic.twitter.com/ObpinFBEPe
โ AWPS SPACE NEWS (@MarsSpaceNews) September 18, 2024
Bidenโs notes specifically called out the beleaguered city of El Fasher, which has become the poster child for the chaos in the region. For those keeping score, itโs been under siege from the RSF for months. The city is apparently under bombardment, which might come as a surprise to anyone who thought there was such a thing as a peaceful siege. Meanwhile, the U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. is fretting over the โserious escalationโ of violence in El Fasher, which reads more like a post from a concerned aunt on social media than a robust foreign policy strategy.
In a heartfelt directive reminiscent of a parent nagging their kids about cleaning their room, Biden urged both warring factions to think about the innocent civilians caught in the crossfire. He called for what could only be characterized as a โplease-and-thank-youโ approach from both the SAF and RSF, asking them to facilitate humanitarian aid. Negotiations to end the war also made the wish list, which is about as likely as the cats and dogs in the neighborhood signing a peace treaty.
The President also took the opportunity to remind everyoneโa, shall we say, enthusiastic audienceโabout the dastardly deeds of the SAF and RSF, claiming that members of the latter group have engaged in ethnic cleansing. With the sanctions already flying like confetti, it seems the mighty U.S. Treasury is putting in what they call โworkโ to clip the wings of those flying high on war crimes. One can only shake their head in disbelief at how easily the Biden administration goes from issuing stern letters to slapping sanctions as if they were droughts of tongues between them and Sudanโs warring factions.
Biden made it clear that the U.S. stands in solidarity with the suffering Sudanese people. While that sounds noble, observing this kind of foreign policy from the sidelines tends to resemble a game of dodgeballโeveryone throws things from the sidelines but is too timid to step onto the court. Meanwhile, a call for accountability among the aggressors feels more like a low-budget reality show than serious diplomacy. In the end, it leaves one wondering if this โcommitmentโ to peace is just another case of political lip service strutting around the global stage.
