Sudan has vast riches in gold and natural resources: Use them to fund aid
With the second anniversary of Sudan’s war approaching next month, the resulting crisis remains the world's worst humanitarian disaster despite grave competition from other conflict zones.
Statistics by the United Nations office of humanitarian affairs (OCHA) released earlier this month provide stark figures: more than 30 million people are in need of assistance.
The toll on pregnant women and children under the age of five is catastrophic with 3.7 percent of these suffering from acute hunger and malnutrition. Geographically, famine has been declared in five localities in Darfur and the Nuba Mountains.
Many more regions will follow, especially with the deterioration in health services as many people are still on the move as fighting continues to metastasise. One in four Sudanese is currently displaced internally with more than three million forced to migrate outside Sudan. Additionally, about 17 million children are out of schools.
OCHA estimates that more than $6bn is needed for 2025 with only 4.2 percent of pledges being honoured so far.
New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch
Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters
With the funding cuts in bilateral aid by the US under President Trump and the cuts in the development budget by the UK government, Sudan has to look for alternative modalities in order to rescue the situation and avert the impending disasters.
The UN declared that it will try to assist about 20 million Sudanese while 10 million will remain without provision. The resources available as of 11 March 2025 are dwindling by the day.
Agencies like the World Food Program (WFP) and Unicef have no better certainty.
Ceasefire a priority
Sudan’s warring parties have divided the country into regions of control with more than 13 regions under the control of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) while the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) is controlling five states in the north and the east of the country.
A separate governance structure prevails in Nuba Mountains under the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLA), led by Abdelaziz al-Hilu faction, while another endures under the Sudan Liberation Army, headed by Abdulwahid a-Nour faction, in Gebel Marra in Darfur.
A recent meeting held in Nairobi between the RSF, some armed factions, political parties and civilian groups accentuated the de facto partition of the country which adds to the humanitarian crisis.
The priority now is to work for a sustained ceasefire and to galvanise political and diplomatic efforts to unify negotiation platforms in order to curb the flow of weapons into the country and to work with the UN, African Union and others to negotiate a lasting peace.
In the meantime, the protection of civilians is paramount. One of the first steps to stop the war is to deplete the resources that fuel it and divert resources towards saving the population from hunger and disease before the onset of the rainy season.
Another step is to secure resources for the return of the displaced in the short term and a third step is to enter into partnerships for the long-term rehabilitation and reconstruction phase.
Stabilisation fund
The UN Development Programme uses the Regional Stabilisation Facility as a funding mechanism to support governments and communities in conflict-affected areas, with the goal of reducing violence, implementing peacebuilding programmes, and promoting long-term recovery and development.
In addition, stabilisation works to safeguard against the resurgence of violence and extremism by restoring essential services, facilitating employment opportunities, and building cohesive, peaceful communities.
It is imperative that the warring factions recognise the disgrace of waging a war that has devastated civilians merely seeking freedom, peace and justice
In Sudan, many sources of income are available to feed into the funding facility.
Firstly, the returns of exports from gold and other minerals are very significant.
We first call for the revision of all trade agreements with regards to gold and other resources that were concluded during the regime of former President Omar al-Bashir. In addition, the review of new agreements is also in order. These include agreements relating to investments in mining, agriculture, and other resources as well as agreements on military bases at the Red Sea coast.
Despite the ongoing conflict, "Sudan achieved record output in 2024 totalling 64.4 tonnes in 2024", according to a recent report by the state-run Mineral Resources Company. Gold exports via official channels provide millions of dollars every year.
Notably, gold production in RSF-controlled areas is also rising, however, output needs to be traced and used for humanitarian programmes in areas under RSF control.
In addition, fines should be imposed on countries through which gold is smuggled and the funds therefrom to be deposited into the fund. Secondly, sovereign funds deposited with banks, both inside and outside Sudan, can constitute a lucrative source of funding.
Thirdly, when Sudan was under US sanctions, assets were frozen with many financial institutions. These funds constitute a major source of income to the fund.
Fourthly, sanctions against warlords and allied companies need to be designed with a strategy. Frozen assets constitute funds that could work as collateral for loans to be given by commercial banks, and loans from bilateral and multilateral facilities. Collateral are assets to ensure repayment. It is a banking procedure and a method followed by the G7 and others in relation to conflict zones.
Money and assets seized by the committee for dismantling the 30 June 1989 regime's structures of power (known as Tamkeen) could also be used as collateral for these loans.
Sudan also needs to claim the returns of air traffic tariffs owed by countries like the United States for decades.
Finally, and more importantly, funds from Waqf and Zakat, especially during the holy month of Ramadan, are sustainable sources of funds that can contribute to the Stabilisation Fund for Sudan.
As far as the delivery of humanitarian programmes is concerned, the focus should be on localisation of service delivery mainly through Sudan's volunteer networks - the Emergency Response Rooms and communal kitchens, in the first instance.
With under three weeks until the 15 April anniversary, it is imperative that the warring factions recognise the disgrace of waging a war that has devastated civilians merely seeking freedom, peace, and justice.
The stabilisation fund could represent a means of justice and a way to restore what rightfully belongs to the citizens of Sudan. For far too long, impunity has prevailed over justice. It is time for that to end.
The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Eye.
Middle East Eye delivers independent and unrivalled coverage and analysis of the Middle East, North Africa and beyond. To learn more about republishing this content and the associated fees, please fill out this form. More about MEE can be found here.
