Sudan's Protracted War: A Looming Famine and Unprecedented Displacement Crisis
The conflict in Sudan is a devastating and protracted crisis that has severely worsened the humanitarian situation, pushing millions toward extreme hunger and famine. As of July 29, 2025, the war has been ongoing for over 27 months, having erupted in April 2023.
Main Parties to the Conflict:
The conflict primarily pits two formerly allied factions against each other:
Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF): The regular army of Sudan, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who also chairs the Transitional Sovereignty Council.
Rapid Support Forces (RSF): A powerful paramilitary force commanded by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (known as Hemedti). The RSF evolved from the Janjaweed militias, notorious for their role in the Darfur conflict.
While these are the two main belligerents, several smaller armed groups and militias have also become involved, with some aligning with either the SAF or the RSF. Recently, the RSF and allied groups formed a "Government of Peace and Unity," naming Hemedti as the head of a new 15-member presidential council. This move further complicates the political landscape and deepens the conflict, challenging the internationally recognized army-led government.
Duration and Escalation:
The current conflict began on April 15, 2023, following escalating tensions between the SAF and RSF over the integration of the RSF into the regular army and a proposed transition to civilian rule. What started as skirmishes quickly spiraled into a full-blown civil war, initially concentrated in the capital Khartoum, but rapidly spreading to other regions, particularly Darfur and Kordofan. The war has shown no sign of abatement and has intensified in various areas, leading to devastating consequences for civilians. The SAF has recently retaken parts of Khartoum, while the RSF largely controls Darfur and parts of Kordofan.
Humanitarian Catastrophe:
The impact on civilians is catastrophic, making it one of the worst humanitarian crises of the 21st century:
Casualties: Tens of thousands of people have been killed. While exact numbers are difficult to ascertain due to ongoing fighting and limited access, reports indicate around 150,000 fatalities. Both sides have been accused of committing atrocities, including war crimes. The U.S. Department of State determined in January 2025 that the RSF committed genocide through acts such as ethnic killings, systematic rape and sexual violence, and preventing access to aid. For instance, the RSF reportedly killed over 450 civilians, including 35 children, in villages around Bara in North Kordofan as recently as July 12.
Mass Displacement: Sudan is experiencing the world's largest displacement crisis. As of July 2025:
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs): Over 11 million people are internally displaced within Sudan. More than 8 million of these were displaced after the April 2023 outbreak of war, bringing the total IDPs in Sudan to over 10 million.
Refugees: Over 3.9 million people have fled across borders, seeking refuge in neighboring countries like Chad, South Sudan, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the Central African Republic. Over 1.5 million of these refugees have gone to Egypt alone.
Returnees: Over 1.3 million war-displaced Sudanese have begun returning to areas of relative safety within Sudan, mainly Khartoum, Sennar, and Al Jazirah states, often to find immense devastation and a chronic lack of services. An additional 320,000 people have crossed back into Sudan from neighboring countries since last year.
Widespread Hunger and Famine: This is perhaps the most critical concern.
Scale of Hunger: Approximately half of Sudan's population – around 25 million people – is facing extreme levels of hunger. This includes about 5 million children and mothers suffering from acute malnutrition.
Famine Declaration: Famine (IPC Phase 5) has been confirmed in multiple locations, particularly in parts of North Darfur (e.g., Zamzam camp, Um Kadadah, Melit, El Fasher, At Tawisha, Al Lait) and the eastern Nuba Mountains. At least 17 more areas are at risk of famine in the coming months. Reports from Abu Shouk camp in El Fasher indicate four hunger-related deaths last week alone.
Man-Made Crisis: Aid organizations and the UN emphasize that this is a man-made crisis, driven by conflict and the deliberate obstruction of humanitarian access by the warring parties. Both the SAF and RSF have been accused of weaponizing aid, imposing bureaucratic restrictions, looting convoys, and blocking assistance.
Collapse of Services: Essential services have largely collapsed:
Healthcare: The healthcare system is devastated, with hundreds of attacks on facilities recorded, severely limiting access to medical care. Only 15% of essential nutrition treatment services are currently functional.
Water and Sanitation: Water infrastructure has been destroyed or rendered non-functional, leading to severe water shortages. Only 10% of people in some displaced areas have access to safe drinking water.
Disease Outbreaks: The breakdown of water and sanitation, coupled with low vllaccination coverage, has led to a sharp increase in disease outbreaks. Over 32,000 suspected cholera cases have been reported this year (as of July 2025), with cases continuing to rise, particularly in North Darfur. Malaria and measles are also surging.
Education: Schools are closed, and more than 17 million children are out of education.
International Response and Challenges:
Despite urgent calls from the international community, efforts to mediate a lasting ceasefire and deliver aid have largely been ineffective.
Underfunding: Humanitarian operations both inside Sudan and in host countries are massively underfunded. For instance, the Humanitarian Response Plan for Sudan requires $4.2 billion to help 21 million people until the end of 2025, while the Sudan Regional Refugee Response Plan seeks $1.8 billion to support more than 4.8 million people. As of March 2025, UNHCR's regional requirements of $1.1 billion were only 21% funded.
Access Constraints: Insecurity, bureaucratic impediments (e.g., suspension of 30 local NGOs and 3 international Ns in South Kordofan), and direct obstruction by warring parties severely limit humassistance.1Thess to those in need. The city of Kadugli in South Kordofan remains cut off from humanitarian assistance.
The situation in Sudan remains extremely dire, with ongoing fighting, a deepening crisis, and the very real threat of widespread famine for millions of people.
I'm Aisha shehu
Talksocialtalka News
