Armed conflict in Sudan 2023

➡️ SUDAN CIVIL WAR 2023 - PRESENT: The Forgotten Conflict

The conflict in Sudan stems from ethnic tensions, economic disparities, and many years of political instability. The civil war is about to enter its third year as the two warring factions remain locked in a power struggle, which has led to the death of 150,000 people.

With 14 million people displaced, the war has triggered the largest displacement crisis ever witnessed. Crippling food insecurity has led to the world's largest hunger crisis. Famine has officially been declared in Darfur and Kordofan as of September 2025, with a further 6.3 million across the country enduring extreme levels of hunger.

Jump straight to our resources on the ➡️ Sudanese Civil War

Explore our comprehensive guides on -

• Causes & Timeline of the Conflict

• Humanitarian Crisis & Famine in Sudan

• Political Instability in Sudan

• Human Rights in Sudan

• War Crimes in Sudan

• International Interference

• The Wider Regional Implications

• The 2021 Power Sharing Agreement

As the world's attention is diverted to other crisis regions such as Ukraine and Gaza, we must push for humanitarian aid, peaceful solutions, and an end to impunity for the grave human rights atrocities and ethnic cleansing taking place in Sudan.

"The world must not forget the people of Sudan" - António Guterres, UN Secretary-General

As the violence over leadership between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) escalates, the implications for Sudan's seven bordering countries heighten. In this fragile region of the world, the influx of more than 2 million externally displaced refugees is placing an enormous strain on scarce resources, and the danger of the conflict spreading is deeply concerning.

Sudan Conflict - Root Causes

Fighting began between the rival factions in April 2023 as the SAF, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the powerful paramilitary group RSF, led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, fought over control of the state and its valuable resources.

Since gaining independence in 1956, Sudan has experienced three civil wars spanning over 40 years. Sudan is the largest country in Africa, geographically positioned between some of the world's most volatile regions. There is a stark economic divide between the wealthy, predominantly Arab and Muslim, northern region and the less developed, predominantly Christian, southern region. Internal conflicts have plagued the nation for decades.

Famine and human rights atrocities have been well documented in the country, and unfortunately, did not cease after the 2011 separation of states to create the Republic of South Sudan. Sudan's second civil war, which led to this divide, killed 2 million people.

Following a coup in 1989, oppressive dictator Omar al-Bashir led the country through the first civil war, the separation of states, and the 2003 Darfur war and genocide. He imposed strict Sharia law, introduced controversial morality police, and persecuted all other religious activity outside of Islam.

After 30 years of brutal rule, the Sudanese people rose in the 2019 People's Revolution, where widespread protests demanded a return to democracy. The result was an army coup carried out jointly by the SAF and RSF.

The RSF are a powerful militia group formed during the Bashir era. They are responsible for brutal attacks carried out in the Darfur war, creating mass displacement, engaging in sexual violence, and committing other war crimes. They turned their backs on Bashir and collaborated with the SAF to establish a new transitional government.

The Transitional Sovereignty Council, created under Burhan and Hemedti, focused on improving Sudan's dire economic situation and promoting the stabilisation of the country. However, with the constitution suspended, key international institutions, including the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, paused their funding. The transition was riddled with controversy, violence, and the lack of civilian leadership was again met with large-scale protests.

A two-year transition deal to bring about civilian rule was then rejected by the Sudanese people due to the lack of accountability for the heinous actions of both military factions. A power struggle began to emerge between the two as violent disagreements and tensions stalled all transition efforts.

It came to a head in April 2023 as SAF troops and RSF soldiers were deployed throughout Sudan. Foreign interference from the United Arab Emirates, the U.S., the Wagner group (Russia), Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UK has further exacerbated the situation. As the promise of a long-awaited democratic transition diminished, the UN envoy to Sudan was expelled from the country as all peace attempts collapsed.

Violent clashes continue to destroy the lives of civilians on top of the complex challenges already facing Sudanese people, including disease outbreaks, economic instability, and the effects of climate change. The current fighting began at a time when the country was already experiencing its highest levels of humanitarian need in a decade.

One of the World's Worst Humanitarian Disasters

• 30.4 million people, half of the population, are currently in need of humanitarian assistance and protection. The war has created extreme shortages of food, water, medicine, and fuel.

• 24 million people are facing food insecurity, 5 million at emergency levels.

• 14 million people have been forcibly displaced from their homes, schools, and livelihoods – the worst displacement crisis in the world.

• 2 million people have been externally displaced to unstable areas such as Chad, Ethiopia, and South Sudan. Here, refugee camps overflow and are unable to provide humane living conditions.

• 70-80% of healthcare facilities in conflict areas are non-operational.

West Darfur has seen the worst attacks on civilians and violations of international law. Multiple mass graves containing civilians from ethnic groups have been discovered in the region. Limited aid provisions are being systematically looted and are failing to reach the people most in need. Activists and volunteers facilitating aid deliveries face restrictions on movement, intimidation, violent attacks, and detention.

Civilians are always the biggest losers of war, as their homes, lives, safety, communities, and healthcare systems are destroyed around them. Water treatment plants have been targeted and destroyed, leaving residents without access to clean water. Many parts of the country are without electricity and communication networks. Markets, schools, medical facilities, roads, and government buildings are completely inaccessible.

Conflict-related sexual violence is rife. Women and children are suffering some of the worst conditions imaginable. Even before the start of the civil war, more than 3 million women and girls were at risk of gender-based violence.

Thirteen million children are being deprived of an education.

Even before the fighting, Sudan was in extreme financial crisis. Spiralling inflation and shortages of essential goods devastated the country. Half of Sudan's population is unemployed, and the Sudanese pound has lost half of its value.

In a country which was already struggling to meet the needs of its people, war has catapulted its citizens into unimaginable suffering and deplorable conditions. The UN and other organisations, such as the International Rescue Committee, are working hard to raise awareness of the dire situation and the serious need for funding and humanitarian assistance.

The time for action is now! One child dies every 2 hours in Sudanese displacement camps. Mainstream media and politicians must no longer ignore the plight of the Sudanese people, many of whom have only ever known wartime conditions.

Foreign Interests are Fuelling the Conflict

Interference by various self-serving nations has become a significant barrier to mediation efforts, as major global players undermine attempts at peace. The ongoing supply of foreign weapons and military support to both sides enflames the situation as weapons contractors and arms traders benefit from the war.

The civil war has developed into a devastating proxy war between the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, where the Sudanese civilians are mere collateral damage.

The UAE has aligned itself with the RSF, financing operations and funnelling weapons to troops under the guise of humanitarian aid. Vast quantities of Sudanese gold are channelled through the UAE, the refineries of which are under the control of the RSF. It is in their interests that the RSF maintain power in these key areas.

The UAE is also massively invested in the Sudanese agricultural sector, as it is heavily reliant on Sudan to maintain its food security. The country imports 90% of its food due to limited arable land and water scarcity.

Regarding the extension of its regional influence, the UAE aims to secure control over key ports and initiate the construction of a new $6 billion port. Finally, the UAE aims to cement its position as a leading provider of financial services in Sudan. The vast majority of foreign banks in the country have headquarters in the Gulf states and hold a combined total of 23% of Sudan’s total banking assets.

Saudi Arabia has positioned itself alongside the SAF. The kingdom views the Red Sea as key to its economic growth, tourism, and a strategic route for oil exportation. They aim to assert their dominance over the UAE by securing access to valuable resources and advantageous trade routes.

Egypt has also shown support for the SAF and their Islamic ideologies. Their logistical and military support makes them complicit in the atrocities carried out by the Sudanese army. They have provided air support and also used humanitarian aid routes as tools of leverage, delaying and blocking aid to the RSF-controlled areas.

Is there a Chance for Peace & Reconciliation in Sudan?

Sustained violence in Sudan is showing no signs of abating. With the SAF and the RSF occupying different parts of the country, violent clashes continue to spread. Much of West and Central Darfur is under the grip of the RSF, and the eastern and southern parts of the country are dominated by SAF control.

After 500 days of siege, the city of El-Fashar, has finally fallen to the RSF. The blockade completely cut off the town, leaving civilians trapped and starving. This was the last major city under government control. A new reign of terror, ethnic cleansing, detention, and corruption has ensued.

Burhan and Hemedti have missed two separate dates to discuss options for a peaceful resolution. In October 2023, led by the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, ceasefire talks were organised in Jeddah. The talks broke down before they even began.

In December, the U.S. ramped up diplomatic efforts and exerted pressure on the generals to agree to an unconditional ceasefire, dialogue, and a face-to-face meeting. Both sides refused to engage not only with each other, but also with civilians and international leaders.

With little room for mediation, and both sides committed to their war effort, hopes of reaching a peaceful resolution are dwindling. Sanctions by the UK and the U.S. have done little to de-escalate tensions.

The UN Security Council has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities by the warring parties, as well as demanding complicity with international humanitarian law, and a removal of any obstructions to enable unhindered humanitarian access.

In September 2025, renewed attempts at peace were made by the Quad, a conflicting coalition of diplomats from the U.S., Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. They called for an immediate ceasefire, a three-month humanitarian truce, and an inclusive post-war political transition within nine months.

Their statement was well received by the RSF and the Sudanese army; however, it failed to materialise in follow-up meetings. The Quad insisted that Islamist factions be excluded from discussions, for fear of their connections to terrorist groups and Iran, the Sudanese Army fiercely contested this.

The RSF also failed to cooperate by refusing to withdraw troops from El-Fasher and North Kordofan, and actually expanding operations and intensifying drone attacks. Their demand to be involved in negotiations as equals was shut down by the army, which insists that it is the only unit that can implement reform of Sudan's military institutions.

We must not turn a blind eye to the atrocities in Sudan, nor abandon efforts to secure a country-wide ceasefire, create a safe humanitarian corridor, and sustained peace throughout the country. Only then can the situation begin to improve for civilians.

Solutions must be found to address the underlying issues, such as power sharing, economic disparity, social injustice, and ethnic violence. Local grassroots movements and international NGOs play a crucial role in peacebuilding and reconciliation by promoting dialogue and understanding among different tribal and ethnic groups in a country which is home to 500 different ethnic subgroups.

Finance to provide relief and fund peace negotiations has been incredibly difficult to secure. In 2023, the UN declared that $3 billion was needed to fund the humanitarian response in Sudan and its neighbouring countries; however, only 40% of that sum was obtained.

The world has abandoned the Sudanese people in this forgotten conflict, which has plunged civilians into the world's worst humanitarian crisis, with no glimmer of peace on the horizon.

With a complete lack of media attention, increasing difficulties regarding the distribution of aid, a funding deficit, fears of wider regional escalation, and no concerted effort to bring about peace, Sudan is at the very top of the International Rescue Committee's crisis watch list.

"This horrific conflict must stop before it is too late to pull Sudan back from disaster." - Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

Author: Rachael Mellor, 09.05.24 licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0 (Updated 10.11.25)

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