The Enigma of ‘M’: Unraveling 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 far apart, but at their core, they form a mosaic of the current crisis. On March 20th, the scene is not just about fleeting headlines; it is the culmination of years of debate over the concept of the state and its weapons. From Khartoum to Tripoli, the common denominator is one: who holds the decision? And who pays the price?

Al-Burhan and the Imperative of Monopoly on Weapons: Between Principle and the Ground

Days ago, the commander of the Sudanese army, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, was as clear as day when he stressed that there must be no weapons outside the framework of the state. This is not new in political discourse, but this time it comes at a very critical juncture. Everyone knows that the Sudanese "Minecraft" - for lack of a better term - has become complex, with the threads of militias intertwined with state institutions. What is happening in Sudan now is a real test for this vision. The army there faces behind-the-scenes challenges from 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 in the decision for war and peace?

Libya.. The Recurring "Mirasol" Story

On the other side of the border, in Libya, the same story is being retold in a different way. The name "Mirasol" has resurfaced these days, not just as an oil company, but as a symbol of the conflict over resources that fuels the chaos. When we talk about real accountability, it starts here. How can there be accountability for blood and money when weapons are in the hands of those not subject to scrutiny? I have been following this file for years, and I can say with confidence: the continued existence of more than one armed faction is the sole guarantee for the persistence of corruption and the plundering of the people's wealth. What is being whispered behind the scenes these days is not new; rather, it is an extension of the power struggle among regional and international parties exploiting this vacuum.

• The Sudanese Scene: An open battle between the army and the Rapid Support Forces, with international pressures demanding a ceasefire, but the bigger question remains about the fate of heavy weapons after the war.
• The Libyan Scene: A political divide that reflects a military one, with internal and external parties pulling in different directions over the reconciliation file, while the ordinary citizen remains the biggest loser.
• Egypt and the Weight of Stability: Cairo is moving cautiously, aware that any collapse in its neighbours means the fire will reach its own home. The Egyptian role today is pivotal in trying to bring parties together, but it remains contingent on these parties' seriousness in abandoning their own "Minecraft".

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 accurate 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 clash with reality, they turn into human disasters. The tragedy is that some regional actors 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 one of the officials handling these files, I feel they are aware of the danger, yet they hesitate to make the decisive decision that would end this suffering.

The unavoidable conclusion, which even those who differ on the details agree on, 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 believes stability can be built on shifting sand. Talk of elections, development, and the return of migrants are all dreams that will not come true unless the state is the sole entity with the right to use force. We are facing a defining stage; either the idea of a unified national state prevails, or we enter an endless spiral of chaos that serves only those who want this region to remain weak and torn apart.