- The conflict in Sudan has severe humanitarian consequences, with up to 150,000 deaths and millions displaced.
- Sudan’s Red Sea coastline is crucial for global trade, and the conflict threatens the security of shipping routes through the Suez Canal.
- The conflict could lead to increased refugee flows into Europe and further destabilize the global economy.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan, Africa’s third-largest country, has significant implications for global trade, particularly through the Suez Canal, as analyzed by The Economist newspaper. The situation has largely been ignored by global media despite its potential impact on international shipping routes and the broader global economy, reports Seatrade Maritime.
The Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan
The conflict in Sudan has led to catastrophic humanitarian consequences, with up to 150,000 people reportedly killed and more than 10 million displaced. Bodies are accumulating in makeshift cemeteries visible from space. Some estimates suggest that as many as 2.5 million people could die by the end of the year.
Sudan’s conflict is exacerbated by its porous borders with seven neighboring countries, including Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Libya, which are themselves fragile states. These countries represent 21% of Africa’s landmass and are home to 280 million people, creating a significant risk of regional instability.
Threats to Global Shipping and the Suez Canal
Sudan’s 800 km Red Sea coastline is a critical sea route between Asia and Europe. The conflict poses threats to shipping in this region, with some shipowners rerouting vessels around the Cape of Good Hope to avoid danger, adding significant distance and time to voyages.
Others continue to risk the Red Sea route via the Suez Canal, despite the heightened dangers.
International Involvement
The conflict is being fueled by various countries, including Russia and Iran, which seek to establish a naval base on the Red Sea in exchange for arming Sudanese forces. If Sudan descends into permanent anarchy or becomes hostile to the West, it could further threaten the operation of the Suez Canal, which is critical to global trade, carrying an estimated one-seventh of the world’s trade.
The Sudan conflict could trigger a new wave of refugees, particularly affecting Europe, where migration is already a contentious issue. The Economist warns of a potential refugee crisis, with 60% of people in camps in Calais being Sudanese.
This adds to the global economic strain following the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and rising tensions in the South China Sea.
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Source: Seatrade Maritime
