“As people of faith, we know a better world is possible,”: Groups plea for end of Sudanese crisis

(CWR, Yaoundé)  As the conflict in Sudan enters its fourth year, major faith-based organizations are uniting to demand immediate international action to protect civilians. In an April 15th statement, groups including ACT Alliance, Caritas Internationalis, and Islamic Relief Worldwide called for an immediate, enforceable ceasefire and accountability for violations of international humanitarian law.

“As people of faith, we call for an end to the violence in Sudan and urge the international community to secure an immediate, enforceable ceasefire and scale up the humanitarian response without delay,” the statement read. “At a time of deep global instability, the defense of international law, including international humanitarian law, must be a non‑negotiable.”

“As people of faith, we know a better world is possible,” says Alistair Dutton, Secretary General, Caritas Internationalis, in the statement. “Stop the hatred and war. Silence the weapons. Build a brighter future for this beautiful land.”

The human cost described by these organizations is staggering. “Since April 2023, the war has continued to devastate civilian life and cause vast destruction of critical civilian and humanitarian infrastructure, including humanitarian offices and warehouses being seized, looted or destroyed,” they noted.

Father John Gbemboyo, the Pastoral and Social Communication Coordinator for the Sudan and South Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference, confirmed this grim reality in an interview with CWR. He highlighted severe restrictions on movement and the collapse of basic services.

“It seems difficult to get the full scale of how people are suffering in Sudan due to the active conflict,” Father Gbemboyo said.

“The conflict is worsening the situation of the people each day in terms of shortages of food, medicines. There is an increase in cases of malnutrition and other diseases among the people who are confined by the conflict to some areas.”

He added that distrust between warring parties is hampering aid efforts. “It is very difficult for the humanitarian organizations to operate freely due to suspicion among the warring parties.”

The statistics back up the priest’s observations. The United Nations has described the situation as the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. According to the Council on Foreign Relations, more than two-thirds of the population—an estimated 33.7 million people—are now in need of humanitarian assistance.

Data from the UN refugee agency’s Operational Data Portal, as of April 2026, indicates that nearly twelve million people have been forcibly displaced, including over 6.8 million internally and close to 4.5 million who have fled to neighboring countries. Due to restricted media access, the exact death toll is unknown, with estimates ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands.

This catastrophe has deep roots. Sudan descended into civil war in April 2023 following a fallout between the two generals who ousted Omar El Bashir in 2019: Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (generally referred to as “Hemedti”) of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

While the two found unity in removing the dictator, they disagreed on timelines for integrating the RSF into the army and returning the country to civilian rule. Their ambitions to control the nation’s power and wealth eventually pushed them into a bitter conflict.

However, the war is being fueled by foreign interference. Michelle Gavin, a CFR senior fellow for Africa policy studies, stated that the conflict “has been enabled by external powers who continue to provide arms and financing” to both sides.

Reports indicate that Egypt maintains close ties to the SAF, while the RSF has reportedly received military supplies from Khalifa Haftar, the Russian-backed Libyan warlord. Russian influence deepened in February 2025 when Sudan confirmed a deal allowing Russia to establish a naval base on the Red Sea coast.

By February 2026, reports emerged that Ethiopia was hosting camps to train RSF soldiers. Meanwhile, the UAE faces persistent accusations from the Sudanese army and U.S. lawmakers regarding arms supplies to the RSF—claims Abu Dhabi denies, despite The Wall Street Journal reporting increased Emirati deliveries in late 2025.

The crisis threatens to destabilize the entire region. It jeopardizes economic cooperation on Nile water resources and major oil pipelines transiting Sudan. Environmental factors, including devastating droughts and floods driven by climate change, have further displaced populations and strained natural resources. Additionally, Sudan’s Red Sea ports face security risks from attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels, while the SAF has reportedly utilized Iranian drones—a connection both Tehran and Khartoum deny.

Diplomatic efforts by neighbors in the Horn of Africa and the Sahel have so far failed to stem the violence. A UN fact-finding mission found evidence of war crimes, including starvation and sexual violence.

“We cannot allow Sudan to descend further into a nightmare of violence, hunger, and despair,” UN experts warned in October. “The deliberate targeting of civilians, combined with the use of starvation, sexual violence, disappearance and displacement as weapons of war, is creating a humanitarian catastrophe of historic proportions.”

Against this backdrop, faith-based humanitarian groups are calling for sustained international engagement. Dirk Hanekom, Sudan Country Director for Norwegian Church Aid, emphasized the need for long-term support.

“The war has inflicted such deep damage to the economy that even when it ends, Sudan will require sustained support to restore inestimable losses to public and private infrastructure, businesses, and livelihoods,” he said.

The faith groups echoed this, urging a “civilian-led peace” that includes women, youth, and trusted faith leaders. They warned that cutting aid to focus only on immediate emergencies damages community resilience and peace efforts.

Shahin Ashraf of Islamic Relief Worldwide highlighted the critical role of local groups, noting that solidarity kitchens in mosques and churches have saved countless lives. She urged international governments to show the same compassion. Similarly, Sr. Bridgita Mwawasi, representing the Association of Consecrated Women in Eastern and Central Africa, called for urgent action to ensure aid reaches women and girls suffering the war’s worst effects.

Kayode Akintola of CAFOD observed that while the world’s attention has been elsewhere, faith groups have been on the front lines. “Across Africa and in the UK, faith leaders and people of faith have followed this brutal war; raising funds to support humanitarian work and raising their voices for peace,” he said. “There is so much violence and suffering happening across the world right now, but at this time, we urge everyone to see the suffering in Sudan.”

Ultimately, Father Gbemboyo believes the resolution lies in political will that is currently lacking. He noted that third parties often benefit from the chaos, but insisted the focus must return to the people’s needs.

“The resolution to bring about real peace in Sudan is proving difficult due to a lack of political will to sit down and negotiate,” he told CWR.

He lamented that other global crises have overshadowed Sudan. “The wars in Ukraine and Iran have overshadowed the suffering Sudanese people and, as such, Sudan is not given priority… There is no intermediary body persuading the opposing parties in Sudan for peace.”

Yet, he remains hopeful that the international community will listen to those on the ground. “The voices of the humanitarian agencies… need to be listened to by International and Regional groups, like African Union, IGAD, etc.,” Father Gbemboyo concluded. “The humanitarian agencies present on the ground are witnesses to the plight of the people, and they need to be listened to and helped to care for the people.”

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