In April 2023, war broke out in the capital Khartoum between the Sudanese army led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces headed by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo “Hemedti”. Fighting quickly spread to other parts of Sudan, particularly Darfur to the west and Kordofan to the south. Instability in Sudan, a strategic country that connects the Sahel, North Africa, the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, will have ramifications well beyond its borders. The war has already sucked in outside actors. Meanwhile, long-running rebellions in several of the country’s peripheral regions persist. Through research and advocacy, Crisis Group aims to contribute to mitigating and resolving the conflicts in Sudan.
Hundreds of thousands of civilians are caught in the crossfire with war intensifying in North Darfur and its capital El Fasher. Concerted pressure is needed to get all sides to de-escalate. It will be difficult, but bowing to fatalism would be inexcusable.
Fighting between Sudanese Army (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) escalated in North Darfur, clashes subsided in east amid seasonal rains, and U.S.-led peace talks led to outcomes on aid deliveries amid deteriorating humanitarian crisis.
North Darfur once more became epicentre of conflict. Hostilities escalated in North Darfur capital, El Fasher, as RSF early Aug launched major assault on city, reportedly killing and displacing hundreds. Other areas of North Darfur remained wracked by insecurity amid intensifying SAF bombardments. Notably, SAF mid-Aug bombarded Fasher and several other locations, including Taweisha town, resulting in significant casualties and retaliatory RSF strikes. SAF and allied Darfuri armed groups repeatedly attacked Kutum city, RSF stronghold with significant Arab population, raising risk of intercommunal clashes. SAF aerial bombardments also targeted East Darfur capital, Ed De’aein, killing and wounding dozens. Meanwhile, Integrated Food Security Phase Classification 1 Aug declared famine in North Darfur’s Zamzam camp as humanitarian crisis worsened, exacerbated by heavy rains, which triggered displacement and cholera outbreaks.
RSF made small advances further east as fighting slowed due to rainy season. Fighting further east persisted, though at slower pace amid seasonal rains. In El Gezira state, RSF 1 Aug killed dozens during attack on El-Adanab village, while SAF aerial bombardments in Hassaheesa town resulted in numerous casualties. In Blue Nile and White Nile states, RSF continued to advance slowly, 5 Aug attacking several villages in White Nile’s Al Gitaina locality; offensives indicate White Nile will likely become key RSF target when rainy season ends. In North Kordofan state capital, El Obeid, multiple RSF-SAF clashes left dozens dead.
U.S.-led peace talks yielded outcomes on aid deliveries despite SAF’s absence. Peace talks co-hosted by U.S., Switzerland and Saudi Arabia 14-23 Aug were held in Geneva, Switzerland; AU, UN, UAE and Egypt attended as observers. SAF was notably absent after insisting that talks focus on implementing May 2023 Jeddah Agreement and objecting to participation of UAE, RSF’s main backer. While SAF’s absence hindered progress toward national ceasefire, mediators 23 Aug announced they had secured commitments from parties to allow aid to flow into Darfur from Chad and enhance civilian protection.
The big question many have is if [Ethiopian Prime Minister] Abiy Ahmed could position himself as a mediator between [Sudan's army chief] Burhan and the UAE.
You can’t help but watch the level of focus on … Gaza and Ukraine and wonder what just 5 percent of that energy could have done in a context like Sudan.
The Sudanese have basically been forgotten, obviously there’s the war in Gaza which has taken a lot of attention.
A big part of the problem has been the Sudanese army side of the war essentially blocking food relief into areas they don't control.
Regaining an ally in Sudan, especially along the Red Sea, would be a major win for Iran but will spook other regional and Western powers.
The [Sudanese] army has never had to fight a war like this before and has shown itself not fit for purpose.
In this episode of The Horn, Alan is joined by Alex de Waal, leading expert on famine and Sudan and the executive director of the World Peace Foundation, to discuss the worsening hunger crisis in Sudan, where the country’s civil war has put millions on the brink of famine.
After a year of war in Sudan, thousands have been killed and nine million are displaced. In this excerpt from the Watch List 2024 – Spring Update, Crisis Group explains how the EU and its member states can bolster mediation and respond to the humanitarian catastrophe.
This week on Hold Your Fire!, Richard speaks with Crisis Group’s experts Alan Boswell, Shewit Woldemichael, Rami Dajani and Rob Blecher about escalating violence in Sudan’s North Darfur region, Israel’s looming offensive in the southern Gazan city of Rafah, the potential human toll and diplomatic efforts to avert both.
In this episode of The Horn, Alan Boswell talks with Tom Perriello, U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan, about obstacles to peace in Sudan and U.S. efforts to mediate an end to the conflict after a year of fighting.
On 15 April, Sudan will mark a year since a power struggle between two branches of its armed forces exploded into full-scale conflict. In this video, Crisis Group's President and CEO Comfort Ero reflects on the effects of these twelve months of hostilities.
This week on Hold Your Fire!, Richard is joined by Crisis Group experts Shewit Woldemichael and Alan Boswell to discuss the latest from Sudan after nearly a year of war.
All-out fighting between rival branches of the armed forces has devastated Sudan. With millions facing famine, diplomats should push the two main belligerents much harder to accept a ceasefire – before the fragmentation in the two sides’ ranks dooms efforts to stop the carnage.
This week on The Horn, Alan speaks with Alsanosi Adam, an active member of Sudan’s Emergency Response Rooms, about the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Sudan as famine looms and the challenges grassroots networks face in getting vital aid to civilians across the country.
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