Sudan's Civil War: A Deepening Humanitarian Crisis

Sudan's civil war, which erupted in April 2023, stems from a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict has escalated dramatically, resulting in an estimated 150,000 deaths and displacing millions, marking it as one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises. The RSF, originally formed from the Janjaweed militias responsible for the Darfur genocide, has gained control over major urban centers, including El-Fasher, which fell to the RSF in late October 2025 after a prolonged siege.

CityLab5PillarsSudan’s Escalating Civil War: Civilian Atrocities, International Proxy Involvement, and the Silence of Western ProgressivesThe Guardian

The RSF is led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as "Hemedti," who has positioned himself as a significant power broker in Sudan. The SAF, under General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has historically dominated Sudan's military landscape. The rivalry intensified when the SAF proposed integrating RSF members into the regular army, a move resisted by Dagalo. Analysts warn that Sudan risks fragmentation akin to the situation in Libya, with the potential for the country to be divided into zones controlled by the two factions.

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The ongoing conflict has resulted in catastrophic humanitarian consequences. Approximately 25 million people, nearly half of Sudan's population, require humanitarian assistance, with famine declared in several regions. Reports indicate that the RSF has engaged in systematic ethnic cleansing, particularly against non-Arab communities, with widespread sexual violence and mass killings documented. The UN and various humanitarian organizations have reported that access to conflict zones is severely restricted, complicating relief efforts.

The civil war has attracted the attention of various foreign powers, complicating the situation further. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been accused of supplying the RSF with weapons and military support, while Iran has provided drones to the SAF. The involvement of external actors has exacerbated the violence, with allegations that both factions are being used as proxies in a broader geopolitical struggle. The UAE's interest in Sudan's gold resources has also fueled its support for the RSF, which controls significant gold mining operations.

CityLab5PillarsSudan’s Escalating Civil War: Civilian Atrocities, International Proxy Involvement, and the Silence of Western Progressives

Critics argue that the international community's response to the crisis has been inadequate, with more aid directed towards conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza than towards Sudan. Human rights organizations have condemned both the SAF and RSF for committing war crimes, yet global responses remain muted. The lack of media coverage and political will to intervene has led to calls for a reevaluation of how the international community engages with Sudan.

Sudan’s Escalating Civil War: Civilian Atrocities, International Proxy Involvement, and the Silence of Western Progressives

• “appears to be undergoing a systematic and intentional process of ethnic cleansing of indigenous non-Arab communities through forced displacement and execution.” — Yale University Humanitarian Research Lab

• “Without UAE support, the RSF would not have been able to wage war at this scale,” — UN Analyst

As the conflict continues, analysts warn that unless the flow of weapons is curtailed, Sudan may descend into permanent chaos, dominated by warlords and militias. The international community faces pressure to take decisive action to address the humanitarian crisis and prevent further atrocities.