Sudan conflict

Manyanshi Joshi
1 day ago
10 min read

The Sudan conflict refers to an ongoing civil war in Sudan that began on 15 April 2023. It is mainly a power struggle between two military factions that once ruled the country together after a coup.

1. Who is fighting?

Two main groups are at war:

Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF)
- The official national army.
- Led by Abdel Fattah al‑Burhan (Sudan’s military ruler).
Rapid Support Forces (RSF)
- A powerful paramilitary militia that grew from the Janjaweed militias involved in the Darfur conflict.
- Led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (also known as “Hemedti”).

Both generals were allies after the 2021 military coup but later turned against each other.

2. Why did the war start?

The key issue was control of the country and the military.

Main triggers:

A planned merger of the RSF into the national army.
Rivalry between the two generals for power.
Control of resources such as gold mines and trade routes.
Political instability after Sudan’s failed transition to democracy.

When negotiations collapsed in April 2023, fighting started in the capital Khartoum and spread nationwide.

3. What is happening in the war?

The war has become extremely destructive:

Tens of thousands killed and possibly far more.
Millions displaced from their homes.
Large areas, especially Darfur, have seen ethnic massacres and atrocities.
Famine and disease outbreaks are spreading.

Examples of major atrocities:

The Omdurman market attack in 2025 killed dozens of civilians.
The ongoing El Fasher massacre has reportedly killed thousands in Darfur.

Recent reports also show drone strikes killing civilians, including schoolchildren and people in markets.

4. Foreign involvement

Several countries are accused of supporting different sides:

United Arab Emirates – alleged support for RSF
Egypt – supports the Sudanese army
Saudi Arabia and Qatar – diplomatic involvement
Arms and money flow from multiple regional actors

Because of this, the war is increasingly described as a regional proxy conflict.

5. Humanitarian crisis

The conflict has created one of the world’s worst crises:

Over 7 million internally displaced people
Millions facing famine or severe hunger
Hospitals and aid infrastructure destroyed

Many aid agencies say it is the largest humanitarian disaster currently unfolding in Africa.

✅ In simple terms: The Sudan conflict is a brutal civil war between two rival military leaders fighting for control of the country, which has turned into a massive humanitarian disaster and regional power struggle.

Darfur has become central to the Sudan Civil War (2023–present) for several historical, ethnic, and strategic reasons. The region has been the main battlefield and the site of some of the worst atrocities.

1. Historical roots of violence

Darfur has a long history of conflict that goes back to the Darfur War which began in 2003.

Arab militias known as the Janjaweed militia were accused of mass killings and ethnic cleansing of non-Arab communities.
The militia later evolved into the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Because the RSF grew out of these militias, Darfur remains its stronghold.

2. RSF’s main power base

The RSF, led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, has deep roots in Darfur:

Many RSF fighters come from Darfur tribes.
The group controls large rural areas there.
Darfur provides recruitment, supply routes, and local allies.

This makes the region strategically vital for the RSF in its war with the Sudanese Armed Forces led by Abdel Fattah al‑Burhan.

3. Control of key cities

Cities in Darfur are crucial military targets.

One of the most important is El Fasher.

It is the last major Darfur city still contested between the army and RSF.
Whoever controls it gains dominance over the entire region.

Because of this, battles around El Fasher have been extremely intense.

4. Ethnic violence and massacres

Darfur has seen some of the worst atrocities in the current war.

Reports from human rights groups describe:

Mass killings of non-Arab ethnic groups.
Destruction of villages.
Large-scale displacement.

Many observers say the violence resembles the genocide accusations during the earlier Darfur conflict.

5. Strategic geography

Darfur borders several countries:

Chad
Libya
Central African Republic

These borders allow:

Smuggling of weapons
Movement of fighters
External support

That makes the region crucial for sustaining the war.

✅ In short: Darfur is central to the Sudan war because it is the RSF’s stronghold, the site of long-standing ethnic conflicts, a strategic border region, and home to key cities like El Fasher.

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) became one of the most powerful forces in Sudan mainly because former ruler Omar al‑Bashir deliberately built and empowered it to protect his regime. Over time, the militia grew into a parallel army with huge money, weapons, and political influence.

Here’s how it happened 👇

1. Origins in the Darfur militias

The RSF’s roots go back to the Darfur War that started in 2003 in Darfur.

The government armed Arab militias called the Janjaweed militia to fight rebel groups.
These militias were accused of mass killings and ethnic cleansing.
One of the militia leaders was Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (known as Hemedti).

Later, Bashir reorganized these militias into the RSF.

2. Bashir created a “parallel army”

Omar al-Bashir did not fully trust the regular military, the Sudanese Armed Forces.

So he strengthened the RSF to balance the army’s power.

Key steps:

In 2013, Bashir formally created the RSF.
It reported directly to the president, not to the army command.
It received better funding and equipment than many regular army units.

This turned the RSF into a powerful independent force.

3. Control of gold and money

The RSF became extremely wealthy.

It gained control of major gold mines, especially in Darfur such as those in Jebel Amer.

Gold revenue allowed the RSF to:

Pay fighters higher salaries
Buy weapons
Build its own economic network

This financial independence made it stronger than many state institutions.

4. Foreign military contracts

The RSF also gained power by fighting in foreign wars.

Thousands of RSF fighters were sent to the Yemeni Civil War to support a Saudi-led coalition.

This brought:

Large payments from Gulf states
Combat experience
International connections

5. Role in Sudan’s politics

In 2019, mass protests forced the removal of Omar al-Bashir.

The RSF played a key role in the Sudanese Revolution aftermath.

Its leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo became one of the most powerful figures in the country alongside army chief Abdel Fattah al‑Burhan.

But rivalry between these two leaders eventually triggered the Sudan Civil War.

✅ In simple terms: The RSF became powerful because Bashir intentionally built it as a loyal militia, gave it weapons and money, allowed it to control gold resources, and used it in foreign wars. Over time, it grew strong enough to challenge Sudan’s own army.

Sudan has experienced many coups and long periods of military rule since independence in 1956 because of a mix of weak institutions, regional conflicts, economic crises, and powerful armies. Together these factors made it easier for military leaders to seize power repeatedly. ⚔️

1. Weak political institutions after independence

Sudan became independent in Sudanese Independence.

However:

Political parties were fragmented and divided along religious, tribal, and regional lines.
Governments were often unstable and short-lived.
Civilian leaders struggled to control the military.

This instability made coups easier.

2. The military became the most organized institution

In many new states, the army was the strongest national organization, and Sudan was no exception.

When governments seemed weak, military officers stepped in claiming they would:

restore stability
stop corruption
protect national unity

This led to repeated coups.

Major examples include:

Ibrahim Abboud coup in 1958
Gaafar Nimeiry coup in 1969
Omar al-Bashir coup in 1989 Sudanese coup d'état

3. Long civil wars weakened civilian governments

Sudan has suffered decades of civil war, which strengthened the military’s role.

Key conflicts:

Second Sudanese Civil War (1983–2005)
Conflict in Darfur starting in 2003

When wars dominate politics, armies gain more influence and civilian governments lose control.

4. Economic crises and poverty

Sudan has faced severe economic problems for decades:

inflation
food shortages
unemployment
corruption

When economic crises trigger protests, militaries often intervene claiming they can stabilize the country.

For example, mass protests during the Sudanese Revolution led to the removal of Omar al-Bashir, but the military still kept major power.

5. Power struggles inside the military

Even after coups, unity inside the military is often fragile.

Rival military leaders compete for control. This is exactly what caused the current war between:

Abdel Fattah al-Burhan (army leader)
Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (leader of the Rapid Support Forces)

Their rivalry triggered the Sudan Civil War.

✅ In simple terms: Sudan has many coups because civilian governments have been weak, the military is very powerful, the country has experienced long wars and economic crises, and rival generals often compete for control.

The split of Sudan and South Sudan in 2011 was the result of decades of civil war, ethnic and religious divisions, and disputes over political power and oil resources. It was one of the most important events shaping today’s instability in Sudan. 🌍

1. Deep cultural and religious differences

Before separation, Sudan was a very diverse country.

Northern Sudan: mostly Arab and Muslim populations.
Southern Sudan: mostly African ethnic groups, many Christian or traditional religions.

Many people in the south felt politically and culturally marginalized by the northern government in Khartoum.

2. Two long civil wars

The country experienced two devastating wars between north and south.

First war (1955–1972)

Began even before Sudan officially gained independence.
Southern rebels fought for autonomy.

Second war (1983–2005)

Known as the Second Sudanese Civil War.
Started when the government of Gaafar Nimeiry imposed Islamic law (Sharia) across Sudan.
Southern groups resisted.

The main southern rebel movement was the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) led by John Garang.

This war lasted 22 years and killed about 2 million people.

3. Oil made the conflict more intense

Large oil reserves were discovered mainly in southern regions.

Key problems:

Oil fields were mostly in the south.
Pipelines and export facilities were in the north.
Both sides wanted control of the resources.

This increased tensions and prolonged the war.

4. Peace agreement and referendum

In 2005, the north and south signed the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

Key points:

End of the civil war
Power-sharing government
A promise that the south could vote on independence after 6 years

In 2011, a referendum was held.

Result:

About 98% voted for independence.

So South Sudan officially became a new country on 9 July 2011.

5. How the split affected today’s Sudan conflict

The separation created new problems in Sudan:

Economic collapse

Sudan lost about 75% of its oil reserves, causing major economic crisis.

Political instability

Economic problems weakened the government of Omar al-Bashir, which later contributed to protests and his overthrow in the Sudanese Revolution.

Rise of armed groups

Weakened state institutions allowed powerful militias like the Rapid Support Forces to gain influence.

This instability ultimately contributed to the Sudan Civil War.

✅ In simple terms: Sudan split because the southern region felt politically and culturally oppressed and fought long wars for independence. After a peace agreement, people voted to create South Sudan in 2011.

Current situation in Sudan (2026)

Sudan is still in a major civil war that started in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). As of March 2026, the war continues with no clear winner, heavy civilian casualties, and a massive humanitarian crisis. ⚠️

1. Who controls what right now

The country is effectively divided between two rival armies.

The Sudanese army (SAF) controls eastern, northern, and much of central Sudan, including the capital Khartoum and the Red Sea coast.
The RSF controls most of western Sudan, especially Darfur, and parts of Kordofan.
Frontlines are unstable, especially in Kordofan and Blue Nile, where both sides keep launching offensives.

Overall estimates suggest:

SAF controls about 60% of territory
RSF controls around 40%.

2. Fighting is still intense

Recent weeks have seen increased drone strikes and battles.

Examples from March 2026:

A drone strike on a school and health center killed 17 people, mostly schoolgirls in White Nile state.
A marketplace drone strike near the Chad border killed civilians and injured dozens.
Both sides are increasingly using drones and airstrikes, causing many civilian deaths.

The war has already killed more than 40,000 people, though the real number may be higher.

3. One of the world’s worst humanitarian crises

Sudan currently faces a massive humanitarian disaster.

Key facts:

Over 12 million people displaced by the war.
Hundreds of thousands have fled to countries like Chad, Egypt, and South Sudan.
Severe food shortages and famine risk in several regions.
A large cholera epidemic is spreading because health systems have collapsed.

Many international organizations call it one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world today.

4. Peace talks have mostly failed

Several mediation attempts by regional and international actors have not produced a lasting ceasefire.

Reasons peace is difficult:

Both sides believe they can still win militarily.
Foreign countries are accused of supporting different sides.
Control of gold mines, trade routes, and political power is at stake.

5. Risk of wider regional conflict

Sudan sits in a strategically important location near the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa.

Because of this:

Regional powers are competing for influence.
The war is increasingly linked to broader geopolitical tensions.

✅ In simple terms:

Sudan is divided between two armies.
Fighting continues with drone strikes and urban battles.
Millions of civilians are displaced and facing famine and disease.
Peace negotiations have not succeeded yet.

Conclusion on the Sudan Conflict

The Sudan Civil War is primarily a power struggle between rival military leaders that has turned into one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo reflects deeper problems that have existed in Sudan for decades.

Historically, Sudan has struggled with weak political institutions, repeated military coups, ethnic tensions, and economic instability. Conflicts such as the Darfur War and the separation of South Sudan in 2011 weakened the state and strengthened armed groups. These long-standing issues eventually led to the current war.

Today, the conflict has caused massive destruction, displacement of millions of people, food shortages, and the collapse of basic services. Civilians have suffered the most, while peace efforts have so far failed to stop the fighting.

In conclusion: The Sudan conflict is not only a battle for political power but also the result of deep historical, ethnic, and institutional problems. Lasting peace will likely require political reforms, civilian-led governance, and strong international support to rebuild the country and address the root causes of instability. 🌍

Thanks for reading!!!!