Arms trafficking escalating amid Sudan’s humanitarian crisis – Vatican News

Report on the Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan and its Impact on Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

The ongoing conflict between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has precipitated a severe humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by a burgeoning illicit arms trade. This situation represents a catastrophic setback for Sudan’s progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning peace, hunger, health, and sustainable communities.

Illicit Arms Trafficking: A Direct Threat to SDG 16

A recent report from the Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime highlights a significant escalation in weapons trafficking, which directly fuels the conflict and undermines SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. Criminal networks are exploiting the instability to revive and expand smuggling operations.

• Trafficking Routes: Illicit arms are being moved through established and new routes via Darfur, Eastern Chad, and southern Libya.
• Impact on SDG 16: The influx of weapons perpetuates violence, prevents peace-building, and leads to a complete breakdown of law and order, making the establishment of just and inclusive societies impossible.

Humanitarian Crisis and Regression on Core SDGs

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) confirms a rapid deterioration of living conditions, with devastating consequences for several key SDGs.

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger: The conflict has pushed 25 million people, constituting half of Sudan’s population, into acute hunger or famine. The destruction of infrastructure in regions like Darfur and Kordofan has crippled food supply chains.
2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The collapse of essential services has triggered a public health emergency.
   • Healthcare infrastructure has been destroyed.
   • Outbreaks of cholera, dengue, and malaria are rampant, particularly in areas affected by flooding which has washed out supply routes.
   • Civilians, especially in besieged cities like El Fasher, are subjected to extreme violence, including sexual violence, which has severe physical and mental health consequences.
3. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: Access to basic utilities has been severed. Residents in major urban centers like Khartoum have been cut off from electricity and water systems, heightening the risk of waterborne diseases and violating the fundamental right to clean water.
4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The conflict has rendered communities unsafe and unsustainable. The RSF siege of El Fasher, indiscriminate attacks on camps for internally displaced people, and the destruction of urban infrastructure are direct assaults on this goal.

Obstruction of Aid and Failure of SDG 17

The ability of international partners to provide assistance, a cornerstone of SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, is severely compromised.

• Targeting of Aid Workers: Humanitarian personnel face abductions, arbitrary detention, and intimidation, particularly in besieged towns like Dilling and Kadugli.
• Attacks on UN Facilities: The attack on the UN compound in El Fasher on September 20, resulting in the loss of vehicles and supplies, exemplifies the hostile environment for humanitarian operations.
• Conclusion: Despite these challenges, humanitarian partners continue to deliver vital assistance where access is possible, but the systematic obstruction of aid prevents a comprehensive response to the crisis and undermines the global partnerships essential for achieving the SDGs.

Analysis of SDGs in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • The article explicitly states that “25 million people, or half of Sudan’s population, are facing acute hunger or famine,” directly addressing the core issue of this goal.
2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The text highlights a severe health crisis, mentioning the destruction of healthcare services and “outbreaks of cholera, dengue, and malaria.” This connects directly to ensuring healthy lives.
3. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • The article notes that residents in Khartoum have been “cut off from the basic utilities like electricity and water systems,” which relates to the goal of ensuring access to water.
4. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The central theme of the article is the ongoing war, “arms trafficking,” and the breakdown of order. It mentions “indiscriminate attacks,” “sexual violence, forced recruitment and arbitrary detention,” all of which are direct challenges to peace, justice, and the rule of law.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 2 (Zero Hunger):
   • Target 2.1: End hunger and ensure access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food. The article’s report of 25 million people facing acute hunger shows a severe failure to meet this target.
2. Under SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being):
   • Target 3.3: End the epidemics of communicable diseases. The mention of “outbreaks of cholera, dengue, and malaria” indicates a regression from this target.
3. Under SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation):
   • Target 6.1: Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water. The fact that residents are “cut off from… water systems” demonstrates a lack of access, moving away from this target.
4. Under SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions):
   • Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates. The ongoing war, “indiscriminate attacks,” and “sexual violence” are direct contradictions to this target.
   • Target 16.4: Significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows. The report on “growing weapon trade” and “illicit smugglers” reviving “old trafficking routes” directly relates to the failure of this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For SDG 2, Target 2.1:
   • Indicator: The number of people facing acute hunger. The article provides a specific figure: “25 million people, or half of Sudan’s population.” This serves as a direct indicator of the prevalence of severe food insecurity.
2. For SDG 3, Target 3.3:
   • Indicator: The incidence of specific communicable diseases. The article explicitly mentions “outbreaks of cholera, dengue, and malaria,” which can be tracked to measure health outcomes.
3. For SDG 6, Target 6.1:
   • Indicator: The proportion of the population with access to safely managed drinking water services. The article implies a negative trend for this indicator by stating residents in Khartoum have been “cut off from… water systems.”
4. For SDG 16, Target 16.1 and 16.4:
   • Indicator (for 16.1): The number of civilian casualties and victims of violence. The reports of “indiscriminate attacks,” “sexual violence, forced recruitment and arbitrary detention” serve as qualitative indicators of widespread violence.
   • Indicator (for 16.4): The prevalence of illicit arms trafficking. The report from the Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime detailing a “growing weapon trade” and the revival of “trafficking routes” is a direct indicator of illicit arms flows.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: vaticannews.va