
Tawakkol Karman speech at 2025 community movements conference: Forgotten Conflicts: Sudan and Yemen - Canada
Dear Friends,The most tragic fate one can endure is to be caught in a forgotten war—one that the world chooses to ignore.
Wars that capture international attention often face pressure to end, but those that unfold in silence continue for years, leaving deep scars on nations and societies. Forgotten wars breed humanitarian crises under the shadow of global neglect, as warlords commit atrocities with impunity.
Today, we must confront two of the most devastating yet overlooked conflicts in the world: the wars in Yemen and Sudan. These wars have not only brought immense human suffering but also exposed the failures of the international system in addressing prolonged conflicts. Both Yemen and Sudan are surrounded in wars that have failed to receive the global attention they deserve. Despite the horrific violations committed by those waging these wars, accountability remains absent. The failure to hold war criminals accountable not only prolongs suffering but also undermines the very concept of justice, and destroy the hope of a fair world—
Let’s start with Sudan:
The people of Sudan fought bravely for democracy, demanding freedom, justice, This war is not just another conflict—it is a deliberate punishment against the Sudanese people for daring to rise up for democracy, freedom, and justice. The Sudanese people achieved one of the most inspiring peaceful revolutions in modern history, toppling the dictatorship of Omar al-Bashir and demanding a future free from tyranny, corruption, and military rule.
But instead of being allowed to build their democracy, the Sudanese people have been subjected to a brutal counter-revolution, orchestrated by those who fear the rise of a free and democratic Sudan. The war unleashed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan. The RSF, a paramilitary group that evolved from the notorious Janjaweed militias is an act of revenge against the aspirations of the Sudanese people. It is an attempt to destroy their dreams, erase their sacrifices, and force them back into submission.
The RSF, a militia with a long history of committing atrocities, has unleashed unspeakable violence—massacres, sexual violence, and the forced displacement of millions. The international community, despite witnessing these crimes, has done little to stop this war and hold the perpetrators accountable.
The world has watched in horror as the RSF launched an ethnic cleansing campaign in West Darfur. Thousands of innocent men, women, and children have been slaughtered in cold blood. Entire villages have been burned to the ground, and survivors have been forced to flee in terror.
The First report of Fact Mission’s to the Human Rights Council in September 2024 said:
Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces, who have been fighting the Sudanese Armed Forces in the country’s ongoing conflict, are responsible for committing sexual violence on a large scale in areas under their control, including gang-rapes and abducting and detaining victims in conditions that amount to sexual slavery.
While the report also documented cases involving the Sudanie Army Forces and allied armed groups, identifying areas requiring further investigation, it found that the majority of rape and sexual and gender-based violence was committed by the RSF - in particular in Greater Khartoum, and Darfur and Gezira States - was part of a pattern aimed at terrorizing and punishing civilians for perceived links with opponents and suppressing any opposition to their advances.
In Darfur, acts of sexual violence were committed with particular cruelty with firearms, knives and whips to intimidate or coerce the victims while using derogatory, racist or sexist slurs and death threats. Many victims – often targeted on the basis of their gender and real or perceived ethnicity – were simultaneously beaten, sometimes with sticks, or lashed. These acts of violence often took place in front of family members, who were also under threat. Men and boys were also reportedly targeted while in detention with sexual violence, including rape, threats of rape, forced nudity and beating on the genitals, requiring further investigation.
The Fact-Finding Mission found reasonable grounds to believe that rape and other forms of sexual violence committed by the RSF and its allied militias amount to violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law. These include violence to life and person, in particular torture and other cruel, inhuman degrading treatment or punishment, outrages upon personal dignity, in particular humiliating and degrading treatment, rape and any form of indecent assault.
These acts are not just crimes against individuals; they are crimes against humanity, they are war crimes and crimes against humanity, including of torture, rape, sexual slavery, and persecution on intersecting ethnic and gender grounds.
But we must also ask: Who is arming, funding, and sustaining this brutality? The RSF is not acting alone—it has been heavily supported by foreign backers, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The UAE has played a destructive role in Sudan, fueling the conflict by providing weapons, financial backing, and logistical support to the RSF.
Numerous reports have exposed how the UAE has been supplying arms and equipment to the RSF, despite international outcry. Through its networks in Libya and Chad, the UAE has facilitated military supplies to the RSF, allowing it to continue its campaign of terror. Weapons that have been traced back to the UAE are being used to slaughter innocent Sudanese civilians.
The UAE, which portrays itself as a stabilizing force in the region, has instead become one of the biggest enablers of war, dictatorship, and human rights abuses. Its support for the RSF is not an accident—it is part of a calculated strategy to expand its influence in Sudan, control its resources, and maintain dominance in the Red Sea region. By bankrolling the RSF, the UAE is directly complicit in the massacres, the ethnic cleansing, the sexual violence, and the destruction of Sudan’s future.
The world cannot continue to turn a blind eye to this interference. The UAE must be held accountable for its role in sustaining the RSF’s war crimes. Governments and international organizations must impose sanctions on those enabling these atrocities and stop the flow of arms and funds to the RSF.
In Yemen:
the Same thing the war in Yemen
The people of Yemen fought bravely for democracy, demanding freedom, justice, This war is not just another conflict—it is a deliberate punishment against the Yemeni people for daring to rise up for democracy, freedom, and justice. The Yemeni people achieved one of the most inspiring peaceful revolutions in modern history, toppling the dictatorship of Ali Abdull saleh and demanding a future free from tyranny, corruption, and failure
After ten years of war, the Houthi coup, the overthrow of the state, and the intervention of the Saudi-Emirati coalition, Yemenis are suffering from the collapse of infrastructure, the civil service system, education, and healthcare. Economic resources and financial revenues—along with foreign aid—have been drained and centralized in the hands of warlords and the leaders of the Houthi and separatist militias, exacerbating the suffering of the population and deepening poverty and unemployment.
International powers have merely managed their influence, keeping Yemen under control through their regional proxies, who have collaborated with Iran in managing the war and the total collapse of Yemeni society.
The continued division of Yemen—between the sectarian Houthi authority in Sana'a, the separatist Southern Transitional Council militias in Aden, and a weak, nominally recognized government controlled from Riyadh and Abu Dhabi—has plunged the country into chaos and ongoing crises. This has had profound and multi-dimensional effects on the social, political, and economic levels, leading to salary disruptions, a severe depletion of resources and human capital, deepening divisions, and the systematic humiliation, starvation, and repression of the population. Additionally, the warring factions have been restructured to serve the interests of regional and international powers.
As the war continues, humanitarian organizations have played a crucial role in alleviating suffering. However, this role has begun to decline due to increasing restrictions imposed by the Houthis, including extortion, restrictions on humanitarian workers' movements, and interference in aid distribution. These measures have escalated to the arrest of dozens of humanitarian workers by the Houthis, forcing many organizations to scale back their operations or shut down their offices in Houthi-controlled areas.
The situation in Yemen remains complex due to the Houthis' control over vast areas, the growing restrictions on humanitarian work, and the recent U.S. designation of the group as a terrorist organization. This designation raises serious concerns about its potential impact on Yemen's humanitarian situation, particularly as it could obstruct international relief efforts in Houthi-controlled areas.
While the primary aim of the designation is to increase pressure on the Houthis, its consequences could affect more than twenty million Yemenis living under their control. The U.S. designation is expected to prompt banks and companies to halt dealings with Houthi-controlled areas, making it harder for Yemenis to receive remittances from expatriates—a critical lifeline for many families. Moreover, it could lead to further restrictions on trade and imports, directly affecting the availability of food, fuel, and medicine.
Despite all odds, the people of Yemen have shown incredible resilience. They have not given up on peace, justice, or the dream of rebuilding their nation. They have resisted oppression, demanded accountability, and called for a political solution that puts the Yemeni people—not external powers—at the center of decision-making. It is time the world listens to their voices and acts accordingly.
What Must Be Done?
Ending forgotten wars requires a collective effort. Governments, international organizations, civil society, and the media all have a role to play in ensuring that conflicts like those in Yemen and Sudan do not remain in the shadows.
Increase Global Awareness – The media must give sustained attention to these wars. The world must not only react to crises when they reach catastrophic levels but must also work proactively to prevent them from escalating.
Hold War Criminals Accountable – The International Criminal Court and other judicial mechanisms must act decisively against those responsible for war crimes in Yemen and Sudan. Justice should not be selective; it must be universal.
Strengthen Humanitarian Assistance – Immediate and unhindered access to humanitarian aid must be prioritized. Governments and international agencies must step up efforts to provide food, medicine, and shelter to those affected by these wars.
Support Democratic Transitions – Both Yemen and Sudan need long-term solutions that address the root causes of conflict. This includes supporting democratic governance, inclusive political processes, and reconciliation efforts that prioritize the voices of the people.
End External Interference – Foreign interventions often prolong wars rather than resolve them. The international community must push for diplomatic solutions that respect the sovereignty and aspirations of the people in conflict zones.
Dear friends, history will judge us by how we respond to the suffering of others. The wars in Yemen and Sudan are not just regional crises; they are a test of our global commitment to justice, human rights, and peace.
We cannot allow these wars to remain forgotten. The victims of these conflicts are not voiceless; they are being silenced by a world that chooses to look away. It is our responsibility to amplify their voices, demand justice, and work towards a future where no war is left in the shadows. Let us stand together for Yemen and Sudan. Let us stand for a world where justice is not a privilege but a right for all. Let us ensure that no war, no matter how distant, is ever forgotten again.
Thank you