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 army (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) persisted in multiple states, U.S. sought to revive peace efforts, and array of Sudanese actors gathered for political dialogues.
In east, RSF advance into Sennar state slowed as its forces eyed White Nile state. RSF early July gained more ground in Sennar, seizing military bases in al-Mazmoum, al-Suki, Wad al-Neiyal and al-Dinder towns, after its late-June capture of state capital, Sinja, and strategic Jebel Moya mountains. Fighting late July began to subside, however, primarily due to seasonal rains complicating military movements. Meanwhile, RSF attacked multiple locations in neighbouring White Nile state, including 29 July drone attack on army barracks in state capital, Rabak, indicating White Nile may be paramilitary’s next target. Hostilities persisted in El Gezira and Blue Nile states, and in and around capital Khartoum.
Clashes continued in western North Darfur and central West Kordofan states. RSF’s siege of North Darfur capital, El Fasher, persisted as battles raged across state; all sides targeted civilians allegedly supporting their opponents, threatening to exacerbate intercommunal conflict. Humanitarian crisis remained dire, with World Health Organization official 16 July saying fighting had made access to El Fasher “impossible”. In West Kordofan, RSF 3 July seized strategic town of al-Meiram near South Sudanese border as it consolidated control over almost entire state except Babanussa city.
U.S. called for ceasefire talks. U.S. 23 July invited warring parties to Switzerland in Aug in effort to reinvigorate peace talks. RSF next day confirmed it would attend; Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan’s govt in Port Sudan 30 July signalled possible participation, though it remains unclear whether SAF will attend given Burhan’s later statements to his soldiers contradicting announcement. Burhan 31 July survived apparent assassination attempt. Meanwhile, Ethiopian PM Abiy 9 July travelled to Port Sudan city and met with Burhan to discuss “sustainable solutions for Sudan’s stability”.
Two political dialogues among Sudanese actors held. Cairo 6 June convened Sudanese civil society and political groups in attempt to achieve unified stance on resolving conflict. AU 10-15 July held preparatory meeting of Inter-Sudanese Political Dialogue with around 20 political and civil society groups in Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa; participants agreed to hold dialogue conference following ceasefire and establish interim caretaker govt.
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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