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In April 2023, a power struggle between two generals pushed Sudan, which witnessed a revolution and a counter-revolutionary coup in the preceding years, into a devastating cycle of violence. The conflict has displaced nearly 13 million people, transformed cities, including the capital, Khartoum, into war zones, and triggered economic collapse, inducing the world’s first officially declared famine in four years. More than 1,50,000 people have lost their lives. Yet, the generals, army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and head of the notorious paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, are not done fighting. Although the army suffered setbacks early in the conflict, it has regained ground. Late last month, in a blow to the RSF, Gen. Burhan’s forces took control of Khartoum. The military controls much of northern and eastern Sudan, including the Red Sea city of Port Sudan, the de facto wartime capital. However, the RSF, a potent force, maintains control over much of the western Darfur region, where it is currently laying siege to El Fasher, an army stronghold. Recently, the RSF declared a parallel government in the areas under its control, seeking to shore up political support. So, despite the army’s gains, a decisive victory seems far away.
While the RSF faces credible allegations of large-scale atrocities against civilians, including the rape of children, both sides bear responsibility for Sudan’s descent into chaos and anarchy. The country hoped for a new dawn when mass protests brought down the brutal three-decade dictatorship of President Omar al-Bashir in 2019. After his fall, the military and civilian leaders shared power in a transitional administration, which was seen as a stepping stone toward full civilian rule. But in 2021, Gen. Burhan, then head of the transitional government, refused to hand over power to the civilian leadership. He joined hands with Mr. Dagalo, to orchestrate a coup. Their alliance soon collapsed, bringing civil war. For two years, the international community largely turned a blind eye, while regional powers supported rival factions. The military accuses the UAE of backing the predominantly Arab RSF, while the army gets support from Russia, Türkiye, Iran and Qatar. But two years of war is a testament to the fact that there can be no military solution. Civilians have endured relentless air strikes by the army, indiscriminate attacks and looting by the RSF and a near-total collapse in health care, education and access to food and water in the war-hit areas. The world must pay attention to Sudan’s humanitarian crisis and push for urgent, meaningful talks between the warring factions. What Sudan needs is an immediate ceasefire, followed by humanitarian aid so that at least some measure of stability could be restored.
Published – April 16, 2025 12:10 am IST
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Self-perpetuating cycle: On the violence and crisis in Sudan
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