The Gold, the Coast and the Natural Recourse: Sudan’s Quest for Trade, not Aid By Eiman Baldo

08:00 PM March, 20 2025

Sudanese Online
ايمان بلدو-السودان
My Library
Short URL


The Gold, the Coast and the Natural Recourse: Sudan’s Quest for Trade, not Aid

By Eiman Baldo

Away from the Great Power Politics paradigms of international relations, realism in relationships between states have stumbled on the path of transnationalism in the international regime. This article aims to offer Alternative Modalities of Financing the Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan.


The Augury of an Anniversary

With the second anniversary of the April war in Sudan emotively approaching, the crisis is described as the world’s worst humanitarian disaster for decades.
Statistics released by OCHA on the 10th of March 2025 , provide stark figures: more than 30 million people in need of assistance. The toll on pregnant women and children under the age of five is catastrophic with 3.7 of these suffer acute hunger and malnutrition. Geographically, famine has been declared in five localities in Darfur and Nuba Mountains. Many more regions will follow especially with the deterioration in health services as many people are still on the move due to the fact that fighting continues to metastasise. One in four Sudanese is currently displaced internally with more than 3 million forced to migrate outside Sudan. In addition, about 17 million children are out of schools. OCHA estimates that more than 6 billion dollars are needed for 2025 with only 4.2% of pledges being honoured so far. With the cuts in funding in bilateral aid especially in the US and the cuts in the development budget in the UK, Sudan has to look for alternative modalities in order to rescue the situation and avert the impending disasters. The UN declares that it will try to assist about 20 million while ten million will remain without provision. The resources available as of 11th March 2025 are dwindling by the day with only 2 weeks for IOM according to the recent press release. Agencies like the WFP and UNICEF have no better certainty.
Divide and Mis Rule
Sudan warring parties have divided Sudan into regions of control with more than 13 regions under (RSF) while (SAF) is controlling five states in the North and the East of the country. A separate governance structure prevails in Nuba Mountains under SPLA Al Hilu group while another endures under Sudan Liberation Army, Abdulwahid Al Nour group in Gebel Marra in Darfur. The recent configuration of partition that concluded in Nairobi on the 18th of February 2025 between, RSF, some armed groups in addition to political parties and civilian groups, accentuates the de facto partition of the country that adds to the humanitarian crisis. The priority now is to work for a sustained ceasefire and to galvanize 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, AU 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 the war 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.

The Pivotal Role of a Stabilisation Fund under UNDP
UNDP uses the Regional Stabilization Facility (RSF) as a funding mechanism to support governments and communities in conflict-affected areas, with the goal of reducing violence, implementing peacebuilding programs, and promoting long-term recovery and development. In addition, stabilisation work to safeguard against the resurgence of violence and extremism by restoring essential services, facilitating employment opportunities, and building cohesive, peaceful communities. In Sudan, many sources of income are available to feed into the Fund. 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 are concluded during the Bashir regime. 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 (Port Sudan, March 2025). 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 established and traced and used for humanitarian programs in areas under RSF control. In addition, fines should be imposed on countries through which gold is smuggled and 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 war lords and allied companies need to be designed with a strategy. Frozen assets constitute funds that could work as a collateral for loans to be given by commercial banks, and loans from Bi lateral and multilateral facilities. Money and assets seized by the Committee for Dismantling the Structures of consolidation (tamkeen) of the 30th of June regime could also be used as a collateral for these loans. Fifthly, 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 funding that can contribute to the Stabilisation Fund for Sudan. As far as the delivery of humanitarian programs is concerned, the focus should be on localisation of service delivery mainly through the Emergency Response Rooms and Communal kitchens, in the first instance.
With under three weeks until April 15th, it is imperative that the warring factions recognize the disgrace of waging a war that has devastated civilians merely seeking change, freedom, peace, and justice. The Stabilization Fund represents 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.

Arabic Forum