Rivers Run Red: A Biblical and Interdisciplinary Meditation On Sudan’s Broken Covenant and Rising Conflict

 

By Emmanuel Mihiingo Kaija.

An Evangelist And Missionary Grounded In Bible Studies, Theology, Church Ministry And Interdisciplinary studies.

Emkaijawrites@gmail.com

Epigraph

“How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?”Another

— Psalm 13:1 (NIV)

Introduction: When the Nile Weeps

The Nile—lifeblood of civilizations past and present—runs not only with water but with the tears of a people caught between history’s weight and the harsh realities of today. Sudan, once heralded as a cradle of African kingdoms and a land flowing with promise, has become a landscape where the rivers run red with blood, tears, and shattered hopes. As the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) declared a rival government in July 2025, they fractured a nation already bleeding from over 27 months of conflict that has claimed more than 100,000 lives and displaced over 3 million souls. The ancient African proverb “When the roots of a tree begin to decay, it spreads death to the branches” holds a painful truth here—Sudan’s political rot has seeped into every corner of society, leaving famine to stalk the land and silence to suffocate the cries of its children. This is not merely a political crisis; it is a spiritual hemorrhage, a broken covenant between rulers and the ruled, a betrayal of the sacred trust that binds communities to justice, peace, and life itself. The cry of Psalm 13—a lament steeped in desperation and hope—echoes louder than ever: “How long, O Lord?” How long will this suffering endure before the rivers of justice flow again?

1.The Theological Shadow: Covenant Broken and the Cry for Justice

The biblical narrative is no stranger to broken covenants and the agony they bring. The story of King David and his son Absalom (2 Samuel 15–18) mirrors Sudan’s own tragedy: a nation’s heart torn asunder by rebellion from within, a son’s betrayal that ushers in chaos and bloodshed. David’s anguished wail—“O my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you!” (2 Samuel 18:33)—speaks to the profound sorrow that accompanies civil strife, where the very fabric of society is rent by violence and ambition. As the prophets Amos and Isaiah remind us, peace is not a mere truce but the blossoming of righteousness: “They shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks” (Isaiah 2:4). Yet, in Sudan, the weapons multiply and the covenant is broken, inviting divine lament and a summons to repentance. Theologian Walter Brueggemann, in his seminal work Theology of the Old Testament, calls this prophetic voice the “countercultural summons to justice”—a call that demands that rulers protect the vulnerable rather than exploit them. The RSF’s violent seizure of power challenges this divine mandate, provoking not only political upheaval but spiritual dissonance that calls the Church and society to a prophetic response.

2.African Wisdom: Ubuntu and the Healing of a Fractured People

The African ethic of Ubuntu—“I am because we are”—offers a counter-narrative to the fracturing forces at play in Sudan. As the Shona saying goes, “Chara chimwe hachitswanyi inda”—one finger cannot crush lice alone; communal effort is essential. This communal philosophy is more than cultural expression; it is a blueprint for healing and restoration amidst brokenness. The RSF’s power grab, tearing the nation into competing sovereignties, threatens not just political stability but the very social fabric that holds communities together. Mogobe Ramose, a luminary in African philosophy, emphasizes Ubuntu as a “moral ontology of interconnectedness” that demands reconciliation and restorative justice, not retribution. The Nguzo Saba, a set of seven principles articulated in Pan-African thought—unity, self-determination, collective work, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith—underscore the necessity of collective effort in rebuilding trust and social cohesion. In a land where over 7 million people face food insecurity due to the war and climate shocks, these values are not abstract ideals but urgent calls to communal survival. True peace in Sudan will not come from military victories alone, but from embracing the sacred duty to restore broken bonds and revive the spirit of shared humanity.

3.The Social Reality: Displacement, Identity, and the Fracturing of Community

Over 3 million Sudanese have been uprooted since the conflict began, swelling refugee camps and informal settlements into sprawling cities of displacement. Here, anthropology illuminates the harsh truth that identity is both a source of belonging and a line of division. Sudan’s mosaic of ethnic groups, languages, and religions—once a source of cultural richness—has become a battlefield for survival and power. The Tigrayan proverb “The axe forgets, but the tree remembers” captures the painful memory that scars communities torn apart by violence. Displacement fractures kinship networks and social rituals that traditionally provide meaning and cohesion. The breakdown of these social structures deepens trauma and alienation, making peacebuilding a task not just of politics but of restoring identity and dignity. Mahmoud Salih, in his Social Dynamics of the Sudanese Conflict, argues that sustainable peace must prioritize rebuilding social trust and recognizing the humanity of all groups caught in the crossfire. The shattered communities of Sudan yearn for not only physical security but the restoration of communal belonging, a place where the spirit is made whole once more.

4.Political Fragmentation: Sovereignty, Power, and the Struggle for Legitimacy

The RSF’s July 2025 announcement of a rival presidential council intensified a conflict that had already persisted for over two years. This political fragmentation undermines Sudan’s sovereignty and threatens the fragile peace of the Horn of Africa region. According to the African Union’s Peace and Security Council report (2025), the continued division risks spillover into neighboring countries, worsening regional instability. The postcolonial shadow looms large, as external actors’ interests complicate mediation efforts, revealing how the legacies of colonial borders and foreign intervention continue to haunt African politics. The saying “A bird does not change its feathers because the weather changes” reminds us of the entrenched power dynamics resistant to change. Regional bodies like IGAD face the Herculean task of navigating these complexities while fostering inclusive dialogue and equitable power-sharing. Political scientist Mahmood Mamdani warns in Citizen and Subject that without addressing historical grievances and social exclusion, peace agreements remain fragile at best. Sudan’s fractured sovereignty is thus a call to reconcile history, justice, and political will in a covenant that can restore legitimacy and hope.

5.The Wounds Within: Psychological Trauma and the Path to Healing

The unseen wounds of Sudan’s war are no less devastating than the visible ones. The World Health Organization estimates that over 60% of displaced Sudanese suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder or severe psychological distress[^12]. Trauma reverberates through individuals, families, and entire communities, manifesting in broken trust, despair, and cycles of violence. The biblical tradition offers both lament and hope in confronting such wounds. As the Psalmist confesses, “My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you” (Psalm 42:11), we see a model of wrestling with despair toward restoration. Integrating modern trauma psychology with pastoral care rooted in lamentation rituals offers a pathway for healing shattered spirits. The African saying, “Healing does not mean the damage never existed. It means the damage no longer controls our lives”, holds profound resonance here. Healing in Sudan requires creating sacred spaces where pain is named, justice is sought, and communal restoration is nurtured.

6.Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding: Toward Durable Peace

The discipline of peace and conflict studies provides frameworks for understanding the roots of Sudan’s violence and pathways toward resolution. Studies reveal that inclusive dialogue, recognition of historical injustices, and equitable power-sharing are prerequisites for durable peace. Regional efforts by the African Union and IGAD have made strides, yet face challenges navigating fragmented political will and external influences. The proverb “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together” encapsulates the necessity of collective action in peacebuilding. True peace requires more than ceasefires; it demands transforming relationships between communities, institutions, and leaders. This discipline aligns seamlessly with biblical calls for justice and mercy, reinforcing the sacredness of peace as a divine mandate.

7.The Power of Narrative: Media, Communication, and Truth

In Sudan’s turbulent landscape, narratives shape realities and influence futures. Media can be a double-edged sword—either inflaming tensions or nurturing reconciliation. Studies show that misinformation and propaganda have fueled divisions, while truthful storytelling can build bridges. The African proverb, “Until the lion tells his side of the story, the tale of the hunt will always glorify the hunter”, reminds us of the vital need for diverse voices and ethical communication. Faith communities, civil society, and journalists carry the prophetic responsibility to craft narratives that amplify peace and justice, countering hate speech and falsehood. The power of media as a tool for both destruction and healing calls for intentional engagement grounded in truth and reconciliation.

8.Toward a Prophetic Future: Covenant Renewal and Hope

Amidst the ruins of conflict and fractured trust, a prophetic vision emerges—rooted in the biblical Jubilee (Leviticus 25) where debts are forgiven, lands restored, and communities healed. The poet Wendell Berry reminds us, “The earth is what we all have in common.” Sudan’s rivers, lands, and people are bound in sacred relationship, calling for restoration not only of political order but of justice and grace. Psalm 85:10 proclaims, “Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other.” This covenantal promise beckons Sudan’s leaders, churches, and peoples to rise beyond vengeance toward forgiveness and renewal. The African saying “Rain does not fall on one roof alone” teaches that suffering and healing are shared; the journey forward must be collective, embracing the divine call to build a nation where rivers run clear and red no longer stains the land.

Conclusion: Healing the Nile’s Broken Song

Sudan’s crisis is a tragic symphony of broken covenants, fractured sovereignties, and wounded souls. Yet within the lament lies a seed of hope—a call to interdisciplinary reflection that bridges biblical wisdom, African philosophy, social realities, political analysis, psychological healing, peacebuilding frameworks, and media ethics. Only through embracing this holistic vision can the rivers run true again, and a wounded people rise to dance in the light of justice and peace. May the tears of Psalm 13 become waters of restoration, and the ancient Nile sing once more its song of life.

Footnotes

1. United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Sudan Humanitarian Update, July 2025.

2. Walter Brueggemann, Theology of the Old Testament: Testimony, Dispute, Advocacy (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1997), p. 102.

3. Shona Proverb.

4. Mogobe Ramose, African Philosophy Through Ubuntu (Harare: Mond Books, 1999), p. 45.

5. Maulana Karenga, Nguzo Saba: The Seven Principles, 1995.

6. Food and Agriculture Organization, Sudan Food Security Report, 2025.

7. Tigrayan Proverb.

8. Mahmoud Salih, Social Dynamics of the Sudanese Conflict, Journal of African Studies, 2024.

9. African Union Peace and Security Council, Report on Sudan, 2025.

10. Hausa Proverb.

11. Mahmood Mamdani, Citizen and Subject: Contemporary Africa and the Legacy of Late Colonialism (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1996).

12. World Health Organization, Mental Health in Conflict Zones: Sudan Report, 2024.

13. Yoruba Saying.

14. John Paul Lederach, The Moral Imagination: The Art and Soul of Building Peace (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005).

15. African Proverb.

16. International Journal of Communication, Media Literacy and Peacebuilding in Sudan, 2023.

17. Igbo Proverb.