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By Darius Spearman (africanelements)
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KEY TAKEAWAYS |
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The Sudan civil war started on April 15, 2023, between SAF and RSF. |
Over 8.6 million people have been displaced due to the ongoing conflict. |
The humanitarian crisis affects 25 million people, leading to severe food insecurity. |
Numerous human rights abuses, including ethnic cleansing, have been reported in Darfur. |
International mediation efforts have largely failed to cease hostilities or protect civilians. |
Infrastructure destruction has exacerbated the humanitarian situation across Sudan. |
Sudan’s Intensifying Civil War: A Humanitarian Catastrophe Unfolds
The civil war in Sudan, which erupted on April 15, 2023, has rapidly escalated into one of the most devastating humanitarian crises of our time. The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has plunged the nation into chaos, leaving millions displaced and in desperate need of assistance.
Sudan Conflict: Key Statistics
The Roots of Conflict
The ongoing civil war in Sudan is a complex struggle for power between two military factions. The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, are locked in a brutal conflict that has engulfed the nation. This power struggle has its roots in the 2019 overthrow of long-time dictator Omar al-Bashir, which led to a fragile power-sharing agreement between civilian and military leaders. The breakdown of this agreement and the subsequent military coup in 2021 set the stage for the current conflict (Council on Foreign Relations).
Escalating Violence and Human Toll
The intensity of the conflict has shocked the international community, with devastating consequences for Sudan’s civilian population. Since the outbreak of hostilities, the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) has recorded over 5,550 events of political violence, resulting in more than 15,550 reported fatalities across the country. The capital city of Khartoum has been particularly hard-hit, with over 3,660 violent events and more than 7,050 fatalities reported in Khartoum state alone (ACLED).
Violence in Sudan (April 15, 2023 – April 5, 2024)
The conflict has not spared civilians, with over 1,400 violent events specifically targeting non-combatants. In Khartoum state alone, civilians have endured more than 650 incidents, resulting in at least 1,470 reported fatalities. These stark figures underscore the brutal nature of the conflict and its disproportionate impact on Sudan’s civilian population (ACLED).
Humanitarian Crisis and Displacement
The war has triggered a massive humanitarian crisis, forcing millions to flee their homes in search of safety. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the conflict has displaced more than 8.6 million people, with over 6.6 million displaced within Sudan and 1.8 million seeking refuge in neighboring countries such as Chad, South Sudan, Egypt, and Ethiopia. The IOM reports a staggering 9.9 million people internally displaced across all 18 states in Sudan, including 2.8 million who were already displaced prior to the April 2023 war (IOM).
Sudan Displacement Crisis
Regional Impact and Infrastructure Destruction
The repercussions of Sudan’s civil war extend far beyond its borders, destabilizing an already fragile region. Over 2 million displaced Sudanese have sought refuge in neighboring countries, overwhelming refugee camps in Chad, Ethiopia, and South Sudan. These host nations, already grappling with their own internal challenges, now face the additional burden of supporting a massive influx of refugees (Council on Foreign Relations).
Within Sudan, the conflict has wreaked havoc on critical infrastructure. Hospitals, schools, and other essential facilities have been destroyed or rendered inoperable. The destruction of vital infrastructure has led to a collapse of basic services, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. The prices of food, water, and fuel have skyrocketed, making these basic necessities unaffordable for many Sudanese families (Council on Foreign Relations).
Ethnic Violence and Human Rights Abuses
The conflict has taken on a disturbing ethnic dimension, particularly in the Darfur region. Targeted violence against civilians in Darfur has been twice as deadly as in other parts of Sudan, accounting for 32% of all reported civilian fatalities in the country. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militias have been accused of committing numerous mass atrocities, including the killing of over 800 people from the Masalit ethnic group in Ardamata, western Darfur. These actions are part of a broader campaign of ethnic cleansing that has alarmed human rights organizations and the international community (ACLED).
The situation in Darfur is particularly concerning, as it echoes the genocide that occurred in the region between 2003 and 2005, which resulted in an estimated 300,000 deaths. The current violence has been characterized by executions based on ethnicity, with Arab militias allied to the RSF targeting non-Arab civilians. These actions have raised fears of a repeat of the earlier genocide and have prompted calls for immediate international intervention (Council on Foreign Relations).
International Response and the Way Forward
The
FAQ
Q: What is the current situation in Sudan?
A: Sudan is experiencing a civil war that began on April 15, 2023, between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), leading to a humanitarian crisis with millions displaced and in need of assistance.
Q: How many people have been affected by the conflict?
A: The conflict has displaced over 8.6 million people, with approximately 25 million—more than half of Sudan’s population—requiring humanitarian assistance.
Q: What are the key statistics related to the violence in Sudan?
A: Since the conflict started, there have been over 5,550 violent events, resulting in more than 15,550 reported fatalities, primarily affecting civilians, especially in the Khartoum region.
Q: What are the humanitarian impacts?
A: About 17.7 million people are facing acute food insecurity, with 4.9 million on the brink of famine. Additionally, critical infrastructure has been destroyed, exacerbating the crisis.
Q: How has the conflict affected neighboring countries?
A: The crisis has caused over 2 million Sudanese to seek refuge in neighboring countries like Chad and South Sudan, overwhelming existing refugee camps and services.
Q: What is the ethnic violence in Sudan related to the conflict?
A: The conflict includes disturbing ethnic violence, particularly in Darfur, where RSF and allied militias have been accused of targeting non-Arab civilians, raising fears of genocide.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Darius Spearman is a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College, where he has been teaching since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.