A single, weathered hand reaching through cracked, sun-baked earth, a faint plume of dark smoke on the horizon under a harsh, bleached sky.
Sudan Civil War
Historical Context and Origins
The current civil war in Sudan, which erupted in April 2023, represents the latest chapter in a long history of conflict that has plagued the country since its independence in 1956. The war pits the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (commonly known as Hemedti).
The roots of the conflict trace back to the 2019 overthrow of longtime dictator Omar al-Bashir, which created a power vacuum and led to a fragile power-sharing arrangement between the military and civilian groups. Tensions escalated over the integration of the RSF into the regular army, with both sides vying for control of the country's political future and resources.
Current Conflict Status (as of October 2025)
Strategic Developments
The conflict has reached a critical juncture with the RSF's capture of El-Fasher, the last remaining SAF stronghold in the Darfur region. This strategic victory gives the RSF full control over Darfur and represents a significant turning point in the war. The fall of El-Fasher has raised serious concerns about Sudan's potential fragmentation and the consolidation of RSF control over western territories.
Humanitarian Catastrophe
The human cost of the conflict has been staggering:
- Casualties: Over 40,000 people killed since the war began
- Displacement: More than 14 million people displaced, creating one of the world's largest displacement crises
- Humanitarian Access: Critical shortages of food, water, and medical supplies affecting millions
- Ethnic Violence: Reports of mass atrocities, including ethnic killings and detentions, particularly in Darfur
- Led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan
- Controls most of eastern Sudan, including Port Sudan
- Maintains international recognition as Sudan's legitimate government
- Receives support from Egypt and other regional allies
- Commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti)
- Controls most of western Sudan, including Darfur and Kordofan regions
- Has captured key cities including Khartoum, Nyala, and El-Fasher
- Receives support from external backers including the United Arab Emirates
- United Nations: Multiple resolutions condemning violence and calling for humanitarian access
- United States: Sanctions imposed on RSF leaders for human rights violations
- African Union: Mediation efforts and calls for ceasefire
- Human Rights Organizations: Documentation of war crimes and crimes against humanity
- Refugee Crisis: Millions of Sudanese refugees have fled to neighboring countries including Chad, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Egypt
- Regional Stability: Spillover effects threatening stability in the Horn of Africa and Sahel regions
- Economic Impact: Disruption of trade routes and economic activity across the region
- Geopolitical Competition: The war has become a proxy conflict involving regional powers and international actors
- Formal Partition: The consolidation of RSF control in the west and SAF control in the east could formalize Sudan's division
- Protracted Conflict: Continued fighting as both sides regroup and seek to expand their territorial control
- Humanitarian Collapse: Further deterioration of living conditions for millions of Sudanese civilians
- International Intervention: Growing pressure for more robust international action to protect civilians and restore stability
In El-Fasher alone, more than 250,000 civilians remain trapped, with half being children cut off from essential services. Satellite imagery has confirmed the existence of mass graves, and human rights organizations have documented systematic violence against civilian populations.
Key Actors and Alliances
Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF)
Rapid Support Forces (RSF)
International Response
The international community has responded with growing concern:
Despite international pressure, diplomatic efforts have largely failed to produce a sustainable ceasefire or political solution.
Regional Implications
The conflict has significant regional consequences:
Future Outlook
The capture of El-Fasher by the RSF represents a potential tipping point that could lead to:
The conflict continues to evolve rapidly, with both sides preparing for the next phase of what has become one of the world's most devastating humanitarian crises and complex geopolitical challenges.
The prompt for this was: sudan civil war
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