M: The Enigmatic Symbol Concealing the Story of Conflict in the Middle East

Whenever you try to map out the landscape of our Arab region, you find the letter "M" recurring with significant weight. Minecraft, accountability, Gmail, Mirasol, Egypt.. Words that seem disparate, but at their core, they form a mosaic of the current crisis. On the 20th of March, the scene isn't just about 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 denominator is the same: Who holds the power? And who pays the price?

Burhan and the Imperative of Arms Monopoly: Between Principle and Reality on the Ground

Days ago, the commander of the Sudanese army, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, was crystal clear when he stressed that there must be no weapons outside the state's framework. This isn't new in political discourse, but this time it comes at a particularly critical juncture. Everyone knows that Sudan's own 'Minecraft' game, 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 Sudan's 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 Story of "Mirasol"

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 true accountability, it starts right here. How can there be accountability for bloodshed and money when weapons are in the hands of those who answer to no one? For years, I've been following this file, and I can say with confidence: the continued existence of multiple armed factions is the sole guarantee that corruption and the plundering of the people's resources will persist. The whispers behind the scenes these days are nothing new; they are merely an extension of the power struggle among regional and international players exploiting this vacuum.

• The Sudanese Scene: An open battle 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 divide mirroring a military divide, with internal and external parties pulling 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 that any collapse among its neighbours means the fire will reach its own doorstep. Egypt's role today is pivotal in trying to bring the parties together, but it remains dependent on the genuine willingness of these parties to abandon their own 'Minecraft' realities.

When "Minecraft" Becomes a Bitter Reality

Those following the details find that the term "Minecraft" is no longer just a video game, but has become an apt description of the state of affairs in the 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 those responsible for these files, I feel they understand the danger, yet they hesitate to make the decisive move that would end this suffering.

The inescapable conclusion, one even agreed upon by those who differ on the details, is that resolving the region's crises begins with ending the state of multiple, competing 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 with the right to use force. We are at a critical juncture: either the idea of a unified, sovereign nation-state prevails, or we descend into a never-ending spiral of chaos that only serves those who want to keep this region weak and torn apart.