M: The Enigma that Holds the Key to the Middle East Conflict

Whenever you try to map out the scene in our Arab region, you keep bumping into the weight of the letter "M". Minecraft, accountability, Gmail, Mirasol, Egypt.. words that seem disparate, yet at their core, they form a mosaic of the current crisis. The scene on March 20th isn't just a collection of fleeting headlines; it's the culmination of years of debate over the concept of the state and its weapons. From Khartoum to Tripoli, the common thread is the same: who holds the decision? And who pays the price?

Burhan and the Imperative of Arms Monopoly: 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 framework of the state. This isn't new in political discourse, but this time it comes at a very critical juncture. Everyone knows that the Sudanese "Minecraft" – if you will – has become complicated, where the threads of militias intertwine with state institutions. What's happening in Sudan now is a real test of this vision. The army there faces the challenge of international sanctions behind the scenes, but the Sudanese insistence on this point brings us back to a fundamental question: can any peace plan succeed without the state having the ultimate say in matters of war and peace?

Libya.. The Recurring Tale of "Mirasol"

On the other side of the border, in Libya, the same story is playing out with a different script. 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 genuine accountability, it starts here. How can there be accountability for blood and money if weapons are in the hands of those who are not subject to scrutiny? I've been following this file for years, and I can say with confidence: the continued existence of more than one armed faction is the only guarantee that corruption and the plundering of the people's resources will persist. What's being whispered behind the scenes these days is nothing new; it's an extension of the power struggle between regional and international players exploiting this vacuum.

• The Sudanese Scene: An open-ended battle between the army and the Rapid Support Forces, with international pressure mounting for a ceasefire, but the bigger question remains the fate of heavy weapons after the war.
• The Libyan Scene: A political division mirroring a military one, where internal and external factions pull the reconciliation file in different directions, leaving the ordinary citizen as the biggest loser.
• Egypt and the Weight of Stability: Cairo is moving cautiously, knowing that any collapse among its neighbours means the fire will reach its own home. The Egyptian role today is pivotal in trying to bring the parties together, but it remains contingent on these parties' genuine willingness to abandon their own "Minecraft".

When "Minecraft" Becomes a Bitter Reality

Anyone following the details can see that the term "Minecraft" is no longer just a video game; it has become an accurate description of the situation in these two neighbouring countries. Each side tries to build its own world according to its own rules, forgetting that when these virtual worlds collide with reality, they turn into human disasters. The tragedy is that some regional players still treat these files like a chess game, forgetting that the pieces here aren't inanimate; they are blood and lives. Whenever I read a message from one of the officials handling these files, I feel they know the danger, yet they hesitate to make the decisive move that would end this suffering.

The unavoidable conclusion, even agreed upon by those who differ on the details, is that resolving the region's crises begins with ending the state of multiple military allegiances. What is happening in Sudan and Libya is a harsh lesson for anyone who thinks stability can be built on shifting sands. Talk of elections, development, and the return of migrants – all are dreams that will not come true unless the state is the sole entity authorised to use force. We are at a defining moment: either the idea of a unified national state triumphs, or we enter an endless spiral of chaos that serves only those who want this region to remain weak and fragmented.