(Photo by United Nations via Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 DEED)
Content Warning: This article discusses sexual assault and violence.
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In mid-April of last year, the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) began fighting in Khartoum, soon fighting in other regions, like Darfur. The conflict between SAF and RSF has resulted in mass killings and displacement of civilians, worsening the humanitarian crisis in Sudan. Early last year, the RSF and allied Arab militia killed 10,000-15,000 people in West Darfur’s capital, El Geneina, over “ethnic violence.” In comparison, the United Nations Security Council reported that approximately 12,000 civilians across Sudan had lost their lives due to the SAF and RSF since April 2023.
The war started from an internal conflict between the head of the Sudanese army, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and his ex-deputy, RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo. Their conflict not only disrupted the stability of Sudan’s government but also ignited tensions across the country. Initially created to end rebellions in Darfur, the RSF has evolved into a powerful force within Sudan, with Hemedti holding considerable influence. However, the “power struggle” between Hemedti and al-Burhan has disrupted governance and unleashed violence and chaos nationwide.
Unveiling the Roots of the Sudanese Conflict
The current war in Sudan is the most recent event in Sudan’s long postcolonial history. Despite becoming independent in 1956, Sudan’s history after British colonization became characterized by “challenges arising from a legacy of colonial rule and internal divisions.” North and South Sudan remained divided, and the enforcement of an “Arab-Muslim identity in the [north]” with the “neglect of the African-Christian [and] animist [populations] in the south” founded the “ethnic and religious tensions” leading up to the current war in Sudan.
Furthermore, the conflict has worsened due to “economic disparities and resource competition,” increasing dependency on humanitarian aid. Consequently, communities are left exposed to the full force of its devastation. The human cost is immense, with millions displaced and vital infrastructure destroyed, heightening concerns over food shortage and health crises. Particularly vulnerable are women and children, who disproportionately endure the hardships of hunger, homelessness, and insecurity amidst the chaos.
The U.N., its Security Council, and various intergovernmental organizations have been instrumental in facilitating dialogue and supporting peace initiatives in Sudan. Efforts by the African Union (AU), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and individual countries like the United Kingdom, the United States, and Saudi Arabia, among others, have played key roles in mediating the conflict and providing humanitarian aid.
However, the Security Council’s decision to terminate the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan (UNITAMS) reflects ongoing struggles in achieving stability and unity. After former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir was overthrown in 2019, the transitional government faced challenges in disarming, stabilizing the economy, and promoting unity in the country. Despite diplomatic efforts, this war has severely impacted Sudanese society, leaving lasting scars on communities already burdened by division.
Urgent Action Needed for Children, Women, and Displaced Communities
The war in Sudan has made it difficult for international organizations to help civilians in need. UNICEF, the U.N. Children’s Fund, is providing Sudanese families with basic needs, health support, and emergency relief. The World Health Organization (WHO) is helping those displaced with medical care, making collaborative efforts to “distribute lifesaving medical supplies.” Doctors Without Borders is helping by giving medical care and aid to those hurt by the war and forced to leave their homes. Yet, there is still a lack of resources as more services are closing down in the country, affecting vulnerable civilians.
In Sudan, displacement camps reflect a heavy burden of suffering among women and children, marked by hunger, homelessness, and a lack of security. Al Jazeera’s report sheds light on this painful reality: “At least one child dies every two hours in a camp for displaced people in Sudan’s North Darfur state during a nine-month war that has caused the collapse of humanitarian services.” Likewise, women and children have become tragically vulnerable to the horrors of conflict and violence. In April 2023 alone, “24 women and girls were kidnapped and raped from [the] Otash IDP camp in South Darfur,” highlighting a gender-related motivation to target “[female] refugees and internally displaced women.”
Regrettably, sexual violence has emerged as a widespread tactic by the RSF. The RSF is using sexual violence as a “weapon of war” to “instill fear,” “[apply] control,” and break communities apart. The Sudanese capital, Khartoum, and el-Geneina in West Darfur are just a few areas in Sudan witnessing alarming spikes in sexual assault, underscoring the urgent need for intervention and protection measures to safeguard the most vulnerable amidst the conflict.
The recent evaluation by ACAPS giving Sudan the highest possible rating on the Humanitarian Access Index highlights the severity of the situation. Child mortality is high, and Sudanese children and women in displacement camps face severe poverty and instability. The worsening humanitarian emergency in Sudan urgently requires global attention for immediate aid and protection.
Community Resilience Amid Conflict
While the war in Sudan has inflicted deep suffering among civilians, it also stands as a testament to the incredible resilience of its people in the face of unimaginable adversity. Despite the devastation and despair the war brought, there shines a glimmer of hope — a collective determination to go beyond divisions and reconstruct the nation. Young people in Khartoum have created “emergency rooms” that offer essential “services and aid” to those in need. They are using social media to continue organizing these efforts, giving medical and basic supplies and sharing important safety information with civilians.
Despite the chaos of the war, people in Sudan are giving food, shelter, and support to those fleeing. Families are returning to their hometowns, rebuilding their communities and connecting to their roots. Sudanese civilians continue to support each other and preserve their cultural heritage amid turmoil. Their resilience shows through their motivations behind reconstructing homes, sustaining livelihoods, and fostering optimism for a brighter future in Sudan. Moreover, their humanitarian efforts and grassroots initiatives show urgency for civilian-led governance and a collective commitment to peacebuilding and reconciliation.
Edited by Bethlehem Samson and Lubaba Mahmud
