The Escalating Crisis in Sudan and the Horn of Africa

The Horn of Africa stands at a critical crossroads, with the ongoing conflict in Sudan threatening to destabilize one of the world’s most fragile regions. Since the eruption of fighting in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, millions have been displaced across borders, triggering one of the fastest-growing humanitarian crises in recent history. The impact of this conflict has extended far beyond Sudan’s borders, straining neighboring countries such as South Sudan, Chad, and Ethiopia, all of which are grappling with their own political and economic pressures. At the same time, the wider Horn of Africa faces overlapping challenges: climate-driven droughts and floods, fragile governance, rising food insecurity, and an overstretched humanitarian system.

This high-level session brings together leading policy thinkers and regional experts to unpack the political, humanitarian, and economic dimensions of the crisis. It aims to explore not only the immediate emergency response but also long-term pathways for stability.