What’s REALLY Happening in Sudan? | Explained
Sudan is facing one of the world’s most severe and underreported crises. What started as a political disagreement has now escalated into a brutal conflict involving rival military factions, foreign interference, collapsing governance, and one of the fastest-growing humanitarian disasters of the decade. While global headlines focus on wars elsewhere, Sudan is experiencing mass displacement, famine, and widespread violence — yet the world is barely paying attention.
What Triggered the Crisis?
To understand Sudan’s current situation, we need to go back to 2019, when longtime ruler Omar al-Bashir was ousted after mass civilian protests. His removal created hope for a democratic transition. A temporary government was formed between civilian leaders and two powerful armed groups:
- The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.
- The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, widely known as Hemedti.
The two groups initially cooperated, but tensions grew over who would control the nation’s future — especially the military, economy, and security forces. This power struggle eventually erupted into full-scale war in April 2023.
The Two Main Forces: Who Is Fighting Whom?
The conflict is primarily between:
1. Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF)
- The official national military.
- Controls airpower and heavy artillery.
- Currently based mostly in Port Sudan.
2. Rapid Support Forces (RSF)
- Originally, a paramilitary group evolved from the Janjaweed militia.
- Controls major parts of Khartoum and Darfur.
- Accused of mass killings and ethnic cleansing.
Both sides claim they are fighting to “protect Sudan,” but both have been accused of war crimes, executions, and abuses against civilians by international human rights observers.
Where Is the Fighting Happening?
The most intense battles have taken place in:
- Khartoum (capital)
- Darfur (a region with historic ethnic violence)
- Al Jazirah State
Satellite reports from Human Rights Watch show widespread destruction of civilian areas, hospitals, markets, and residential districts.
The Humanitarian Crisis
Sudan is now facing one of the world’s worst humanitarian emergencies. The United Nations and aid agencies estimate:
- More than 10 million people are displaced, one of the highest displacement numbers globally.
- Over 25 million people need aid.
- Famine conditions are emerging in multiple regions.
- Hospitals are non-operational or have been taken over by the armed forces.
Medical systems have collapsed. The World Health Organization warns that dozens of hospitals are non-operational, many occupied by armed forces.
Civilians are caught between armed groups, lacking food, electricity, medicine, and safety. Reports include mass killings, gender-based violence, looting, and recruitment of child soldiers.
International Involvement: Who Supports Whom?
The Sudan conflict is not isolated — foreign powers are involved, making it more complex.
External Support for RSF:
Multiple investigations, including reports from Al Jazeera, suggest the RSF has received weapons and funding from external actors in the region.
According to multiple intelligence and UN reports, the RSF has allegedly received weapons and resources from external actors, particularly the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
External Support for SAF:
The Sudanese army has sought support from countries such as Egypt and Iran, including drone supplies and intelligence cooperation.
This foreign involvement has turned the conflict into a geopolitical battlefield rather than a purely domestic dispute.
Why Is the World Not Paying Attention?
Despite the scale of suffering, Sudan has received limited media coverage and political urgency. There are several reasons:
- The war overlaps with other global conflicts like Gaza and Ukraine.
- Sudan lacks strong international political leverage or economic influence.
- No major global power is taking leadership to resolve the crisis.
As a result, aid is limited, and peace negotiations remain stalled or ineffective.
Is a Ceasefire Possible?
Multiple ceasefires have been attempted — all have collapsed within days or hours. Negotiators from the African Union, the United States, and Saudi Arabia have proposed peace processes, but neither side is willing to give up control.
At this stage, analysts believe the war may continue unless:
- One side gains a decisive military advantage.
- Foreign backers withdraw funding and weapons.
- A neutral peacekeeping intervention is established.
What Happens Next?
Sudan is now facing three major possibilities:
- Total military victory by either SAF or RSF — unlikely in the short term.
- Long-term civil war, similar to Syria or Libya, is currently the most likely scenario.
- Fragmentation into multiple regional authorities.
Community leaders, experts, and global organizations are warning that without urgent international intervention, the crisis could lead to mass starvation, regional destabilization, and deeper ethnic cleansing.
Why This Matters
Sudan is not just another conflict zone — it is a strategically significant African nation with borders touching seven countries. Instability in Sudan risks affecting:
- Migration corridors
- Red Sea trade routes
- Regional security in Africa and the Middle East
The world cannot afford to ignore Sudan — and yet, right now, that is exactly what is happening.
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Final Thoughts
Sudan’s crisis is tragic, complex, and ongoing — and behind every headline are millions of lives surviving a nightmare with no clear end in sight. The international community faces a moral choice: continue watching or take meaningful action to support peace, relief, and accountability.
For now, civilians remain trapped between powerful forces, waiting for the world to hear them.
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