Sudan's Conflict Expands to Port Sudan

 The Middle East Eye published on 19 September 2023 an article titled "Port Sudan: Army and Beja Fighters Face Off in Burhan Stronghold" by Mohammed Amin.

Aljazeera published on 21 September 2023 an article titled "Analysis: Port Sudan Fighting Reflects Tribal-army Tensions" by Mat Nashed.  

Eastern Sudan has supported the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and Abdel Fattah al-Burhan since the outbreak of conflict with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).  The region has generally avoided the conflict facing the rest of Sudan.  In fact, Port Sudan has become the de facto capital for the SAF and the center for sending relief supplies to the rest of the country.  

An incident between the SAF and a local ethnic leader's militia this week in Port Sudan has raised questions about stability in eastern Sudan and the alliance between local ethnic groups, especially the Beja, and the SAF.  This does not mean the Beja and other ethnic groups are switching support to the RSF, but it does pose a challenge for the SAF if handled badly.  

U.S. Policy toward Sudan and South Sudan

The House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations held a hearing on 26 February 2014 titled "U.S. Policy toward Sudan and South Sudan."  The hearing, chaired by Chairman Smith, examined the need for a more unified, wider- ranging and proactive policy that can advance long-term U.S. goals in Sudan and South Sudan. 

The full text of the opening statements of each witness is available by clicking the name of the witness.  The witnesses included Donald Booth, special envoy to Sudan and South Sudan, U.S. Department of State; John Prendergast, co-founder, Enough Project; Walid Phares, co-secretary general, Transatlantic Group on Counter Terrorism; and Adotei Akwei, managing director for government relations, Amnesty International US.