Sudan, once Africa’s largest country, gained independence in 1956. It has endured decades of civil wars, which ultimately led to the secession of South Sudan in 2011. Since then, the nation has grappled with political instability, ethnic strife, and severe economic distress. In April 2023, tensions escalated into a full-scale conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti).
The war stems from a bitter power struggle following Sudan’s failed democratic transition. After the 2019 ouster of dictator Omar al-Bashir, hopes for civilian governance faded when a 2021 military coup brought the SAF and RSF into an uneasy power-sharing arrangement. Disputes over army integration, control of state institutions, and competition for national resources ignited the violent clashes of 2023.
The conflict has created one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters:
Darfur, infamous for the genocide of the early 2000s, remains at the heart of the current conflict. The RSF’s roots lie in the Janjaweed militias responsible for earlier atrocities. Renewed violence in Darfur has led to ethnic massacres, sexual violence, and mass displacement of non-Arab groups such as the Masalit community.
Sudan’s diverse geography—from the Sahel to the Red Sea—makes it highly vulnerable to resource scarcity and climate shocks. Competition over land, grazing routes, and water has exacerbated ethnic divisions. Environmental degradation, desertification, and irregular rainfall have intensified these tensions, perpetuating cycles of violence and displacement.
Sudan’s mineral wealth and Red Sea access have attracted competing global interests. The United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Russia (via the Wagner Group) back different factions. Western nations and the UN have imposed sanctions and called for ceasefires. This proxy involvement has deepened the stalemate, turning Sudan into a regional battleground for influence.
Civilians bear the brunt of the crisis. Refugee camps are overcrowded, supply chains are disrupted, and humanitarian workers face constant threats. Outbreaks of diseases such as cholera and measles are spreading rapidly. With the economy destroyed and governance collapsing, the UN has described Sudan as “the world’s worst displacement crisis.”
Sudan’s instability has spilled into neighbouring countries like Chad, Egypt, South Sudan, and Ethiopia, straining regional stability. For India, which evacuated citizens under Operation Kaveri, the conflict poses risks to trade, investments, and energy security in Africa, while adding to global humanitarian challenges.
A sustainable peace process in Sudan requires:
However, entrenched power rivalries, ethnic polarization, and foreign interference continue to obstruct meaningful negotiations.
Sudan’s tragedy illustrates how state fragility, militia politics, and climate stress can converge to cause prolonged human suffering. The delayed international response underscores the urgent need for stronger early warning systems, proactive diplomacy, and locally anchored peacebuilding frameworks to prevent similar crises elsewhere.
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