SUDAN CIVIL WAR

Sudan's catastrophic civil war erupted April 15, 2023, when months of simmering tensions between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary boiled into open warfare in Khartoum and across the country simultaneously. The conflict stems from a power struggle between SAF commander General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and RSF commander General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo ("Hemeti") over the terms of integrating the RSF — a force of approximately 100,000 paramilitaries — into the regular army as required by the 2021 political framework agreement.

The RSF had its origins in the notorious Janjaweed militias that committed genocide in Darfur in the 2000s. The RSF's refusal to integrate into the SAF under SAF command led to the April 2023 outbreak. Within days, the RSF seized the presidential palace, Khartoum International Airport, and large portions of the capital — but could not decisively defeat the better-equipped SAF which retained control of air power and strategic facilities.

The war rapidly devolved into one of the world's worst humanitarian catastrophes. Fighting spread from Khartoum to Darfur — where RSF and allied Arab militias recreated genocide conditions against non-Arab communities in cities including El Fasher, Nyala, and Zalingei — to Kordofan and other regions. The RSF's brutal tactics, including mass rape as a weapon of war, summary executions, and ethnic targeting, prompted the UN to investigate crimes against humanity. By 2024, Sudan surpassed Ukraine and Syria as the world's largest internal displacement crisis.

Sudan sits at the intersection of the Nile River politics (critical for Egypt), Sahel instability (connecting to Libya and Chad), and Red Sea access (Port Sudan remains Sudan's sole functioning port). The RSF receives support from the UAE — critical for its gold economy connections — while the SAF receives drones and munitions from Iran and Egypt. Russia's Africa Corps has provided SAF with air defense systems. The gold corridor from Sudan through Libya to Gulf states and Europe generates an estimated $2 billion annually, fueling RSF operations. Sudan borders seven countries; instability spreads refugees into Chad (600,000+), Egypt (500,000+), South Sudan (300,000+), and Ethiopia.

SAF deploys approximately 100,000 troops with Soviet/Chinese-era armor including T-72 tanks and BMP-1/2 IFVs, MiG-29 and Su-25 fighters for air superiority that RSF lacks entirely, Chinese WS-2 MLRS, and Bayraktar TB2 drones from Turkey. RSF operates 100,000+ fighters with Toyota Hilux technicals armed with heavy machine guns, shoulder-fired anti-air missiles, and captured SAF armor. UAE-supplied Calidus B-250 aircraft have provided RSF limited close air support capability.

As of early 2025, Sudan has effectively divided into two zones of control with no functioning national government. Port Sudan in the east remains SAF-controlled and serves as the de facto capital. The RSF controls most of Darfur, large portions of Khartoum, and key road networks. The UN declares the situation Sudan's worst humanitarian emergency since independence: 10 million displaced, 25 million food insecure, healthcare collapsed in 70% of facilities. There is no realistic ceasefire in sight.