Arabs and Sudan: An Absence of Solidarity or a Presence of Condescension?

By Dr. Ismail Sati
Every time Sudan’s wounds deepen, its people wait—even if just for a gesture of genuine solidarity from their Arab brethren—one that matches the gravity of their suffering or repays some of history’s debt. Yet what often reaches them is little more than hollow statements or lukewarm initiatives that fail to grasp the essence of their tragedy.
Is this mere political impotence? Or does it stem from a deep-seated condescension that keeps Sudan perpetually on the margins of Arab priorities, no matter how severe its plight?
We are not here to revisit the usual questions raised whenever an Arab official comments on Sudan, whether in support of its government or in opposition. The substance of these statements is nearly identical: some vaguely express backing for Sudan’s “legitimate institutions” without explicitly naming its army among them; others limit themselves to “humanitarian concern,” proposing food or medical aid for a people portrayed as helpless victims; and the worst of them call for warring parties to sit at the negotiating table “as equals,” ignoring the fact that the crisis stems from a military faction’s rebellion against the state.
This brings us to the 34th Arab Summit, which commenced today in Baghdad. We will not dwell on the glaring omission of Sudan’s crisis from the speech delivered by the representative of Bahrain’s king—whose country chaired the previous session—nor on the “oversight,” whether intentional or not, when Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani announced a fund to rebuild Arab nations affected by war, pledging 20millionforGazaandanother20millionforGazaandanother20 million for Lebanon, while Sudan went unmentioned—as if deliberately erased from the Arab world’s political and emotional map.
We do not highlight these indicators for their own sake, but rather to pose a deeper, more pressing question:
Do Arab elites and governments still view Sudan with condescension that relegates it to the bottom of their priorities?
Arab Media: Between Neglect and Superficiality
This condescension is not confined to official political discourse—it echoes clearly in Arab media, which often treats Sudan as a “marginal news item,” relegated to the bottom of bulletins unless disaster strikes. Rarely is Sudan presented as a nation with a rich cultural and civilisational heritage, nor is its political and economic reality analysed within its geographic, regional, and internal context—or its dual Arab-African identity.
Serious, balanced coverage is absent, replaced by oversimplification or outright neglect—as if Arab media, consciously or not, reflects Sudan as a “peripheral” entity rather than an active participant. Worse still, many reports fall into the trap of a patronising tone, portraying Sudan either as a land without people or as a “perpetual victim” in need of others’ pity, with no acknowledgement of its people’s dignity or resilience.
Yet, on the other side, ordinary Arabs do not seem to share this narrative. Among the public and on social media, there are clear displays of human empathy and cultural appreciation for Sudan and its people. Many ordinary Arabs see Sudan as a brotherly nation with its own standing and history, expressing genuine sorrow for its current state—without condescension or paternalism.
This disconnect between popular sentiment and the discourse of some official and media institutions highlights a deeper flaw in how the Sudanese issue is addressed within the Arab system—raising questions about who shapes this narrative and why.
Sudan… A Partner, Not a Dependent
Since its independence, Sudan has been one of the most committed Arab nations to pan-Arab causes—politically, militarily, and culturally. Its soldiers have fought in wars of shared destiny, its land has hosted Arab summits, and its borders and policies have consistently supported the causes of the Arab world, foremost among them Palestine. It has never hesitated to answer the call of Arab solidarity, making it a cornerstone of its foreign policy.
Yet, in return for this steadfast commitment, Sudan has faced repeated marginalisation by Arab regimes and political elites shaping regional decisions—sometimes by ignoring its crises, sometimes by confining its role to symbolic or emergency participation, and at other times by deliberately excluding it from support, integration, and solidarity projects.
Has the time not come to reconsider this dismissive attitude?

Shortlink: https://sudanhorizon.com/?p=5665