M: The Enigma Hiding the Story of Conflict in the Middle East
Whenever you try to map out the scene in our Arab region, you find the letter "M" recurring with weight. Minecraft, accountability, Gmail, Mirasol, Egypt.. words that seem disparate, but at their core, they form a mosaic of the current crisis. On March 20th, the scene isn't just a collection of fleeting headlines; it's the accumulation of years of debate over the concept of the state and its weaponry. From Khartoum to Tripoli, the common thread is one: who holds the reins of power? And who foots the bill?
Burhan and the Imperative of Monopoly on Force: Between Principle and Reality
Just days ago, the commander of the Sudanese army, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, was crystal clear when he stressed that there should be no weapons outside the state's framework. This isn't new in political rhetoric, but this time it comes at a very critical juncture. Everyone knows that the Sudanese "Minecraft" – if you will – has become incredibly complex, with the threads of militias intertwined with state institutions. What's happening in Sudan now is a real test for this vision. The army there faces the challenge of behind-the-scenes international sanctions, but the Sudanese insistence on this point brings us back to a fundamental question: can any peace plan succeed without the state having the final say on matters of war and peace?
Libya.. The Recurring "Mirasol" Story
On the other side of the border, in Libya, the same story is playing out in a different form. The name "Mirasol" has resurfaced these days, not just as an oil company, but as a symbol of the struggle over wealth that fuels the chaos. When we talk about real accountability, it starts right here. How can there be accountability for bloodshed and wealth when weapons are in the hands of those who are not subject to scrutiny? For years, I've followed this file, and I can say with confidence: the continued existence of more than one armed faction is the sole guarantee for the perpetuation of corruption and the plundering of the people's resources. What's being whispered behind the scenes these days isn't new; it's an extension of the power struggle between regional and international parties exploiting this vacuum.
- The Sudanese Scene: An open conflict between the army and the Rapid Support Forces, with international pressure for a ceasefire, but the bigger question remains about the fate of heavy weaponry after the war.
- The Libyan Scene: A political division mirroring a military one, where internal and external parties pull the reconciliation file in different directions, while the ordinary citizen remains the biggest loser.
- Egypt and the Weight of Stability: Cairo is moving cautiously, knowing full well that any collapse in its neighbours means the fire will reach its own doorstep. Egypt's role today is pivotal in trying to bring parties together, but it remains contingent on the genuine willingness of these parties to abandon their own "Minecraft" mindset.
When "Minecraft" Becomes a Harsh Reality
Anyone following the details finds that the term "Minecraft" is no longer just a video game, but has become an accurate description of the state of affairs in the neighbouring countries. Each party tries to build its own world according to its own rules, forgetting that when these virtual worlds collide with reality, they turn into humanitarian disasters. The tragedy is that some regional parties still treat these files like a chess game, forgetting that the pieces here are not inanimate, but are blood and souls. Whenever I read a message from an official handling these files, I feel they understand the danger, yet they hesitate to make the decisive decision that would end this suffering.
The inescapable conclusion, agreed upon even by those who differ on the details, is that resolving the region's crises begins with ending the state of multiple military allegiances. What's happening in Sudan and Libya is a harsh lesson for anyone who thinks stability can be built on shifting sand. Talk of elections, development, and the return of migrants are all dreams that won't be realised unless the state is the sole entity with the right to use force. We are at a defining moment: either the idea of a unified national state prevails, or we descend into a never-ending spiral of chaos that only serves those who want this region to remain weak and fractured.