Africa in anguish: Sudan’s civil war deepens, Nigeria’s Christians under fire

The continent of Africa, long celebrated for its spirit of perseverance and communal solidarity, now finds itself bearing the weight of two deeply troubling crises: the escalating civil war in Sudan and the persistent killings of Christian communities in Nigeria. These events raise a haunting question: where is the solidarity among nations and institutions to protect innocent lives?

Sudan: “A killing field” in Darfur

In western Sudan, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has seized the city of El Fasher in North Darfur after an 18-month siege.  In the aftermath of the city’s fall, reports from doctors, satellite imagery, and human‐rights monitors describe mass killings of civilians, house-to-house executions, ethnic targeting and credible allegations of genocide. 

Medical and humanitarian aid workers have documented scenes of utter devastation: hospitals attacked, displacement camps bombarded, families starving—among them children who have known nothing but war. The world’s largest humanitarian crisis has unfolded in Sudan. 

Despite this scale of suffering, responses from regional institutions and international bodies have often been too slow, fragmented or mediated by foreign powers with vested interests. The African Union’s role in peace-keeping, mediation and enforcement of human rights is being deeply tested.

Nigeria: Christian communities targeted, global alarm raised

Meanwhile in Nigeria, attacks on Christian villages continue with alarming frequency. In Plateau State, at least 13 people — among them children — were killed when militants struck Christian communities in October. 

These incidents are part of a complex tapestry of violence — militant groups, herder-farmer conflicts, ethnic tensions and religious fault-lines. While some Western politicians label the events as “Christian genocide,” analysts warn that simplistic narratives risk mis-diagnosing the root causes of violence and may hamper real solutions. 

The United States has even threatened to cut off aid or press for military action if the Nigerian government does not prevent killings of Christians.  This injects external pressure into an already volatile situation and raises the question: have domestic and regional African actors done enough?

Where is the solidarity? Where is the African Union?

In both Sudan and Nigeria, the African Union is formally positioned as the principal regional body mandated to uphold peace, security, governance and human rights. Yet in practice:

In Sudan, despite huge civilian suffering, mass displacement and allegations of genocide, the AU’s enforcement structures (e.g., peace-keeping, sanctions) have been limited in impact. In Nigeria, where internal security, religious freedom and inter-communal harmony are at stake, the AU’s voice is muted compared to the noisy international headlines triggered by Western governments.

It begs the question: when does the African Union move from discussion to action? When its member states convene, do they speak of early warning systems, rapid deployment forces, protection of religious minorities, and accountability mechanisms — or do they default to diplomatic statements? The urgency of the moment demands more than words.

A call for humanitarian solidarity

Citizens, NGOs and faith-based organisations across the continent and beyond must offer solidarity: funding humanitarian relief, documenting abuses, pressuring governments, and ensuring survivors’ voices are heard. In Sudan, displaced families and children are starving, vulnerable and abandoned. In Nigeria, entire communities live in fear of attack.

Africa’s moral compass, guided by shared values of Ubuntu (“I am because we are”), must not evaporate in the face of bullets, war, sectarian violence and foreign indifference. If the African Union cannot act decisively, civil society must step up. If regional leaders shy away, the world will see — yet again — Africa in anguish without meaningful protection.

Conclusion

From the blood-soaked streets of El Fasher to the vulnerable hamlets in Nigeria’s Christian belt, Africa is crying out. The question is no longer just “Where is humanity?” but “Who will stand up now?” For the African Union, and for every African country, the time for talk is over. Lives are at stake. Solidarity must become action — swiftly, fiercely, compassionately.