Nisrin Elamin, a Sudanese anthropologist, argues that human-driven factors such as war and capitalist extraction have led to the severe food crisis in Sudan, highlighting the connection between agricultural restructuring and the current civil conflict.
Nisrin Elamin, a Sudanese researcher with a doctorate in cultural anthropology, emphasizes that the hunger crisis in Sudan is man-made, asserting that systemic issues have arisen from the aggressive restructuring of the agricultural sector over recent decades. She attributes the current food emergency in Sudan to a combination of civil war impacts and capitalist exploitation that transformed the agricultural landscape into a site of disruption rather than sustenance. By drawing on her childhood memories of the Gezira region, she illustrates the stark contrast between the lush agricultural potential of the area and its current state, shaped by conflict and mismanagement.
Elamin critiques the extensive agricultural project known as 'Gezira,' which once exemplified agricultural innovation and productivity in Sudan. However, she points out that over time, increasing militarization and external economic pressures have compromised the project's original benefits. This has engendered a crisis where food scarcity is prevalent, fueled by human actions rather than natural disasters, thereby framing the situation within a broader ethical and socio-political context that resonates globally.
The implications of Elamin's findings extend beyond Sudan’s borders, serving as a case study for understanding how aggressive agricultural policies can precipitate humanitarian crises elsewhere. Her assertion that hunger is always a byproduct of human decision-making prompts a critical examination of agricultural practices worldwide, thereby urging policymakers to consider the long-term impacts of their decisions on food security and human lives.
