Billionaire Mo Ibrahim urges swift response on Sudan crisis

In a pressing call to action, Mo Ibrahim, the Sudanese-British telecoms billionaire and a potent voice for governance in Africa, has underscored the urgency of addressing the ongoing crisis in Sudan.

His annual governance forum, held from June 1 to 3 in Marrakech, serves as an unofficial council of elders for the continent. This year’s gathering was notable for its diverse participation, featuring former leaders like ex-prime minister of Ethiopia, Hailemariam Desalegn, alongside emerging opposition figures, such as Uganda’s Bobi Wine.

The forum predominantly centered on strategies for Africa to mobilize domestic resources amidst declining Western aid budgets. Yet, Ibrahim’s focus gravitated towards the continent’s security crises, particularly the devastating civil war in Sudan. The conflict has resulted in the displacement of approximately 14 million people and claimed over 150,000 lives.

Ibrahim’s rhetoric was poignant and pointed as he posed a critical question to attendees: “Why raise cash to spend on roads and bridges if you are just going to destroy them?” He emphasized the necessity of achieving peace as a foundational requisite for any political or economic progress, asserting that “Political process, economic development, ownership – these will all remain a pipedream in Sudan, and all other countries still gripped by conflict, unless we achieve peace.”

Echoing Ibrahim’s sentiments, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the beleaguered head of the World Health Organization (WHO), offered a similar assertion regarding the intertwining of peace and health in conflict zones. He highlighted the dire situation in Sudan, where countless individuals are succumbing to preventable diseases due to lack of access to war-torn areas for health services. “Peace is the prerequisite for health – the best medicine,” he stated, reinforcing the critical need for stability before any effective healthcare can be delivered.

However, achieving peace in Sudan would require significant financial resources, a challenge that is increasingly difficult, particularly for the global health body, which is grappling with cuts to foreign aid. Recent reductions have disproportionately affected Africa, resulting in a staggering $150 million shortfall at the WHO, leading to the curtailing of essential health programs. The cuts reflect broader concerns regarding Africa’s development landscape, as external funding sources dwindle and the international order continues to show signs of strain.

“The international order was already fraying,” remarked Carlos Lopes during The Africa Report Debate at the governance weekend. He articulated that protectionist policies, stalled climate financing, and a retreat from multilateralism had become more pronounced during recent years. Lopes lamented that the realization of being “on our own” became starkly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly when vaccine nationalism took hold. The transactional nature of previous partnerships, a concept echoed by former U.S. President Donald Trump, further complicates Africa’s path toward sustainable development.

The situation has illuminated the prominence of “middle powers” in African affairs, as traditional Western partners recede from the continent. Ibrahim pointed to Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates as key obstacles to resolving the Sudan crisis, noting their backing of conflicting factions within the country. The inability of the UK Foreign Minister David Lammy to identify specific barriers during a recent conference on Sudan further highlights the complexities and challenges of international diplomacy in the region.

Ibrahim framed the increasing involvement of these middle powers as a critical concern for Africa’s future. Deputy UN Secretary-General Amina Mohammed painted a stark picture of this emerging reality, describing these new actors as “predators” and underscoring the need for African nations to adapt to this shifting landscape. She insisted that while “we are still here,” the new dynamics pose a “reality check” for African leadership.

In light of these challenges, Ibrahim posited that Africa ought to invest in its own diplomatic institutions, particularly the African Union (AU). During what proved to be an uncomfortable exchange for outgoing AU chair Moussa Faki Mahamat, it was disclosed that of the AU’s $650 million budget, an alarming 70% is funded by foreign sources. This reliance underscores a significant vulnerability in African governance structures.

To foster the legitimacy required for African governments to raise the necessary taxes and strengthen state infrastructure without external dependence, trust must be established among citizens, Ibrahim emphasized. He pointedly criticized several African leaders for their treatment of political opposition, a situation that undermines public confidence in governance.

Specifically, Ibrahim called out Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan, citing the unacceptable actions of Tanzania’s security forces, which have included the recent arrests, kidnappings, rapes, and torture of activists. He also directed pointed criticism at Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni, urging him to “rein in your son” after reports of the kidnapping and torture of opposition leader Bobi Wine’s bodyguard surfaced, with chilling updates posted on social media by Museveni’s son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

Ibrahim’s reflections resonated with the warnings issued seven years prior by the late German president Horst Köhler, a former member of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation board. Köhler stated that “peace and prosperity are inextricably linked,” arguing that “Economies are based on trust,” and questioned why political systems would be any different.

As the forum concluded, Ibrahim’s call for an immediate response to the crisis in Sudan serves as a reminder of the intertwined nature of governance, peace, and sustainable development in Africa. The emphasis on investing in domestic resources and prioritizing peace reflects a critical turning point for African nations as they navigate an increasingly complex global landscape. The urgent need for a cooperative, coherent response to challenges like the Sudan crisis cannot be overstated.

To ensure a better future for forthcoming generations in Africa, leaders must confront the pressing issues head-on and work collaboratively towards sustainable solutions that prioritize human dignity and peace over division and strife. Ibrahim’s words echo a profound truth: while the road ahead is fraught with obstacles, it remains imperative for Africa to reclaim its narrative and assert its agency in shaping its destiny.