As of April 15, 2026, it has been three years of devastating war in Sudan. In its fourth year, the war and the organizing efforts that have emerged in response across Montreal and the diaspora. Despite being the largest humanitarian crisis in the world, many are still unaware of the scale and devastation of the war in Sudan. Local 514 host Kalden Dhatsenpa speaks with Duha Elmardi about the escalating humanitarian crisis amid ongoing fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This includes mass displacement, famine, attacks on civilians, and reports of ethnic cleansing in Darfur and Al-Fashir. She outlines the collapse of healthcare and education systems, the widespread use of sexual violence against women and girls, and the dangers faced by activists, journalists, and humanitarian workers on the ground. It is a layered crisis beyond the comprehension of many, as is evident in the weak analyses in The Atlantic’s piece “The war about nothing,” which has since been renamed.
Duha shares with us the realities facing Sudanese refugees and diaspora communities in Canada, from immigration delays and family reunification struggles to the emotional toll of witnessing ongoing violence from afar. Duha speaks about grassroots solidarity efforts led by the Sudan Solidarity Collective and highlights inspiring collaborations with Black, Palestinian, and migrant justice movements across Canada. At the same time, she points to areas where stronger solidarity is still needed, including campaigns targeting the UAE’s role in the war and demands for accountability over Canadian-made weapons found in Sudan. Throughout the interview, Duha emphasizes the importance of sustained public engagement, collective action, and international solidarity.
Articles mentioned:
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2025/09/sudan-civil-war-humanitarian-crisis/683563/
https://breachmedia.ca/in-the-genocide-in-sudan-canada-has-a-hand-in-the-violence/
https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/sudan-rsf-massacres-canadian-rifles-sterling-cross-9.6969856
https://continent.substack.com/p/is-the-sudan-war-really-about-nothing
Organizations mentioned:
https://www.sudansolidarity.com
https://www.instagram.com/mtl4sudan/