12/10/2023
: The 2023 Sudan Civil War, involving the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), marks a devastating chapter in Sudan's turbulent history. Beginning in April 2023, the war's epicentre was in the capital city of Khartoum and the Darfur region. The conflict resulted in the tragic deaths of between 9,000 and 10,000 people, with 6,000 to 12,000 others injured. The human cost extended beyond this, as over 4.8 million people were internally displaced, and more than 1.3 million fled as refugees.
The RSF, led by Mohamed Hamdan "Hemedti" Dagalo, and the SAF, under the command of Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, engaged in a power struggle over control of key government sites in Khartoum, including the Presidential Palace and Khartoum International Airport. This struggle intensified with the involvement of various rebel groups, including the SPLM-N (al-Hilu) and factions of the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM), contributing to a rapidly escalating and multifaceted conflict.
Hemedti accused Burhan of instigating confrontations and conspiring to reinstate the deposed leader Omar al-Bashir, further complicating the internal dynamics of the conflict. Despite efforts toward a ceasefire, intense fighting continued in Khartoum and other regions, marked by civilian assaults, looting, and widespread destruction. Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, Assistant Secretary-General for Africa, highlighted the dire humanitarian crisis and human rights violations occurring in Sudan, including severe sexual and gender-based violence, predominantly perpetrated by RSF personnel or those in RSF uniforms. The UN's involvement, despite facing access difficulties and attacks on aid workers, has been crucial in delivering aid to millions, though it remains insufficient against the scale of need.
The war in Sudan represents not only a tragic humanitarian crisis but also a complex interplay of power, regional politics, and longstanding tensions. The international community's role remains critical in facilitating peace and stability in a nation long plagued by conflict and instability.