The conflict in Sudan is being overlooked as Russia, Iran, and others allegedly supply weapons to fuel the fighting.

The devastating year-long conflict between government and rebel forces in Sudan has resulted in the displacement of up to 10 million people, with some sources claiming that up to 150,000 people have been killed and five million are facing famine.

But observers say it is a forgotten war.

The third-largest country in Africa is being destroyed while the world focuses on a smaller conflict in Gaza, and Sudanese people are questioning why this is happening, according to Hadeel Oueis, editor-in-chief of Jusoor, who spoke to Planet Chronicle Digital.

"Abu Muhammad, a businessman in Sudan, stated to the Center for Peace Communications (CPC) that there is no significant media coverage of events in his country, and people do not care about what is happening there. He explained that the minimal attention they receive quickly fades away, in contrast to Gaza, where all media coverage is focused on the ongoing conflict."

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) president Christos Christou stated in April that the situation in the country, with an estimated 25 million people needing humanitarian assistance, is unacceptable and "this level of international neglect is shocking."

In Sudan, student Muhammad Khalid informed CPC that the media prioritizes ratings-driven decisions, resulting in a focus on global hot-button issues.

"While the media concentrates on other topics such as the conflict in Ukraine or Palestine, Sudan's issues are viewed as monotonous for Europeans and Middle Easterners, with no interest in watching them anymore."

In Sudan's North Darfur, MSF reported that 75 people are dying daily from malnutrition and disease in the Zamzam refugee camp. A State Department spokesperson told Planet Chronicle Digital that five million people in Sudan are at risk of famine. The spokesperson demanded that all parties remove obstructions to humanitarian aid and allow full, rapid, safe, and unhindered access to humanitarian assistance, including cross-border and cross-line.

The ordinary people of Sudan are facing a double tragedy as they flee from Khartoum to Gezira, then from Gezira and its capital, Wad Madani, and finally to the east when the Rapid Support Forces (rebel forces, the RSF) take control of the area. There is little media coverage, and nobody seems to care about what is happening in Sudan.

According to Oueis, the people of Sudan hope that the world's major powers will acknowledge the severity of the humanitarian crisis caused by the war in Sudan, or at least recognize the significant geopolitical implications.

Oueis stated that Iran, along with its Russian and Chinese allies, will certainly dominate Sudan if the U.S. and Europe remain inactive.

The longer the conflict in Sudan continues, the more influential external players become. According to Cameron Hudson, senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, after a year of fighting, both sides are now heavily dependent on outside support and resupply. The UAE has been the principal backer of the RSF from the start. Recently, Sudan’s army has begun receiving aid from Iran, and in the last week announced a deal with Russia to allow them a refueling port on the Red Sea in exchange for undisclosed weapons transfers.

"Senator James Risch, R-Idaho, stated that the crisis in Sudan, including the ongoing genocide in Darfur, is a human catastrophe. He added that President Biden has the power to address this tragedy but has remained silent."

Risch stated that the Biden Administration's response to Congress and the Sudanese people's calls for more action was limited to empty promises and no concrete accountability.

The State Department appointed Tom Periello as special envoy to Sudan in February, but Risch is not impressed.

The U.S. envoy, despite having the chance to provide more U.S. leadership on Sudan, exhibits the same incompetence and apathy towards politics that has defined this administration since the start of the war, according to him.

Antony Blinken, the Secretary of State, contacted Sudanese Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and urged him to immediately put an end to the ongoing conflict in Sudan.

According to Hudson, it had been over a year since Blinken last spoke with him before Blinken's call. Despite Blinken's intervention at the last minute, it has had minimal impact, showing how limited the US's influence is over the parties.

"Hudson suggested that the U.S. should have utilized its influence over countries such as the UAE to halt their support for the war, and also encouraged closer allies like Turkey and Egypt to do the same. However, instead, the army has turned to Russia and Iran as their last resort suppliers, over whom the U.S. has no direct leverage."

The State Department spokesperson informed Planet Chronicle Digital that the Administration is collaborating with international partners to resolve the conflict, address humanitarian requirements, and facilitate a democratic transition.

"The SAF and RSF are being urged to engage in direct ceasefire negotiations, immediately cease fighting, adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law, and take immediate steps to improve humanitarian access to meet the emergency needs of civilians."

According to analysts, gold from Sudan's mines and geopolitical influence are the primary reasons external players have become involved in the conflict. The State Department spokesperson stated that Sudan's warring parties are "seeking to take advantage of Sudan's fragile state and resources, exacerbating the suffering of the Sudanese people."

"The US opposes external interference in the Sudan conflict, as it will only prolong and intensify the conflict, and potentially cause more regional instability."

In April, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield mentioned the UAE while discussing the conflict in Sudan with reporters, stating, "Both sides are receiving support, including weapons, to continue destroying Sudan. We have engaged with parties, including the UAE, on this issue."

The UAE government official rejected the ambassador's comments and denied providing any military, logistical, financial, or political support to any faction in Sudan.

The ongoing conflict and deteriorating humanitarian situation in Sudan seem to be the real focus of the allegations that the UAE is taking sides or supporting one party over the other.