By Rachel Avraham
A conference titled “Sudan in Crisis: Turning Humanitarian Action into Lasting Peace” was held today at the European Parliament in Brussels, bringing together Members of the European Parliament, experts, researchers, and journalists to discuss the latest developments in Sudan and the urgent need to support a population suffering from systematic human rights violations, famine, and mass displacement since the outbreak of war on 15 April 2023.
The debate was moderated by Manel Msalmi, human rights advisor at the Milton Friedman Institute. Claude Moniquet, journalist and former intelligence expert, emphasized the role of the Muslim Brotherhood and Iran in fueling the conflict. He pointed to evidence of Iranian arms smuggling through the Red Sea to the Sudanese army, warning that the establishment of such a network of Iranian influence would pose a strategic threat to Europe and the wider region.
Paulo Casaca, former MEP and founder of the South Asia Forum, noted that Qatar and other states have strongly supported Islamist forces in Sudan. He added that Sudan’s rulers have dismantled the international mechanisms designed to curb their human rights abuses, much like what happened with UNITAMS.
Heath Sloane, Director of Geopolitical Intelligence at B&K Agency, underlined that Islamists have become a strategic actor in the current war, with the influence of the Muslim Brotherhood and the Iran–Houthi axis deeply entrenched. He stressed that the war in Sudan matters to Europe due to migration pressures, the threat of exporting extremist ideologies, and the risk of hostile external powers gaining a foothold in the country. He urged the EU to support Sudanese actors committed to pluralism—particularly women’s groups, minorities, journalists, and civic organizations.
Khalid Omer Yousif, former Sudanese Minister of Cabinet Affairs and a leading political figure, stressed that the conflict represents the world’s largest humanitarian catastrophe and has no military solution. He noted that its roots lie in decades of military rule that suppressed Sudan’s diversity. He highlighted grave violations committed by both parties and called for accountability. He also emphasized that the Sudanese Islamic Movement is prolonging the war and should be designated as a terrorist organization. He concluded by urging Europe to support the Quad’s 12 September roadmap, scale up humanitarian assistance, and back the international fact-finding mission to ensure justice.
Andy Vermaut, journalist and human rights defender, began by recalling the 2019 Sudanese revolution and the hope it inspired, before the Islamist and military leaders plunged the country into atrocities and mass killings in 2021. He highlighted the devastating consequences of the war, including famine, sexual violence, and suffocation caused by chemical weapons. He called on the EU to act in line with its commitments to human rights and democracy, to ban the Muslim Brotherhood, isolate extremist actors, and ensure unhindered humanitarian aid to civilians. He regrets that the Egyptian Army and intelligence services are actively supporting the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), prolonging the civil war.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar have financed the purchase of Chinese weapons for SAF through black-market channels. SAF has deployed Chinese and Russian aircraft — reportedly procured with Qatari support — to bomb churches and mosques.
Sudan has offered Port Sudan as a strategic gateway for Russia into Africa. This move threatens European security interests by enabling Moscow to arm militias across the continent.
The conference ended by a screening of a France 24 investigation report on the use of chemical weapons by the army against civilians published last week.
