Sudan’s War: A Century of Conflict and Resilience

By Darius Spearman (africanelements)

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A Truce Rejected: The War Grinds On

Sudan currently suffers from a devastating civil war, a conflict with deep historical roots. General Abdel-Fattah Burhan, the country’s top general, recently rejected a peace proposal backed by the United States (reliefweb.int). He called the plan “the worst yet,” accusing the mediators of bias (reliefweb.int). The proposal, put forth by the “Quad” mediation group, suggested a three-month humanitarian truce, which would then be followed by a nine-month political process (reliefweb.int). This latest setback underscores the deep distrust and divisions between the warring factions in a struggle that began in April 2023 (reliefweb.int).

General Burhan’s main objection stems from his belief that the plan “eliminates the Armed Forces, dissolves security agencies and keeps the militia where they are,” referring to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) (reliefweb.int). He insists that any ceasefire must first involve the RSF’s complete withdrawal from civilian areas to allow displaced people to return home, prior to any political negotiations (reliefweb.int). Burhan also publicly criticized U.S. envoy Massad Boulos for attempting to “impose conditions” and accused the UAE of being biased due to its alleged support for the RSF, an accusation the UAE denies (reliefweb.int). Conversely, the RSF has reportedly agreed to the proposed truce, highlighting the ongoing political stalemate (reliefweb.int). This ongoing rejection places Black Sudanese families in a dire position, trapped between relentless violence, hunger, and disease.

Seeds of Instability: Sudan’s Coup-Prone History

Sudan’s post-independence journey, since 1956, has been characterized by a relentless cycle of military coups and short-lived democratic experiments (reliefweb.int). The nation has experienced over 20 coup attempts, with seven being successful, making it one of the most coup-prone countries globally (reliefweb.int). This persistent militarization of governance has unfortunately fueled a culture where power is often seized through force rather than through elections, creating an unstable foundation for the nation (reliefweb.int).

Furthermore, Sudan’s deep-seated instability is significantly influenced by its colonial legacies ([TARGETED RESEARCH]). British colonial policy, for instance, governed the northern and southern regions separately, which created a stark divide and hindered the development of a unified national identity ([TARGETED RESEARCH]). The British favored northern Sudanese elites in administration and education, leading to an imbalance of power and resources that marginalized the south and other peripheries ([TARGETED RESEARCH]). This unequal treatment contributed greatly to post-independence grievances and a lack of national cohesion. Moreover, arbitrarily drawn borders during the colonial era often grouped diverse ethnic and linguistic groups into a single state without sufficient mechanisms for equitable power-sharing, fueling conflicts over resources and political representation ([TARGETED RESEARCH]). The colonial administration’s reliance on indirect rule also institutionalized and sometimes exacerbated ethnic divisions, which continued to be exploited by post-independence governments, contributing to political instability and militarization ([TARGETED RESEARCH]). For many in the African diaspora, understanding this colonial history is crucial for grasping the systemic injustices that continue to plague African nations.

From “Devils on Horseback” to Formal Force: The RSF’s Rise

A pivotal element in the current conflict is the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a powerful paramilitary group with origins tracing back to the notorious Janjaweed militias (reliefweb.int). The Janjaweed, meaning “devils on horseback,” first emerged in the 1980s as armed nomadic Arab tribes fighting over resources (reliefweb.int). They became widely known in the early 2000s when former authoritarian leader Omar al-Bashir utilized them as a counterinsurgency force to suppress a rebellion in the Darfur region (reliefweb.int). This campaign led to widespread atrocities, including the genocide of up to 300,000 people (reliefweb.int).

The conflict in Darfur, particularly the genocide and ongoing violence in West Darfur, is widely recognized as a racialized conflict ([TARGETED RESEARCH]). Non-Arab African ethnic groups, including the Fur, Masalit, and Zaghawa, were systematically targeted by Arab militias, including the Janjaweed ([TARGETED RESEARCH]). The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for individuals, including Omar al-Bashir, on charges of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, specifically citing the targeting of these non-Arab populations ([TARGETED RESEARCH]). The violence is often described as a clear case of racialized conflict, where ethnic identity, particularly perceived “African” versus “Arab” heritage, became a primary driver of the atrocities and systematic targeting of specific populations ([TARGETED RESEARCH]). This history resonates deeply within the African diaspora, which often views such events as a continuation of historical racial injustices against Black people.

In 2013, al-Bashir formally established the RSF, restructuring the Janjaweed militias into a semi-regular security unit under the command of Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, widely known as Hemedti (reliefweb.int). The RSF’s initial mandate was to combat rebel groups, but it quickly grew into a significant military, political, and economic power (reliefweb.int). Operating with its own command structure and revenue streams, including control over gold mines, the RSF gained considerable independence (reliefweb.int). This creation of a dual military structure, with the RSF operating somewhat independently from the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), regrettably laid the groundwork for future power struggles and the current devastating war (reliefweb.int).

Broken Promises: The Alliance That Fractured

The alliance between the SAF and RSF was briefly solidified in April 2019, when they jointly orchestrated a coup that overthrew al-Bashir after months of popular protests demanding civilian rule (reliefweb.int). This event ushered in a transitional period aimed at establishing a democratic government, offering a glimmer of hope for the Sudanese people (reliefweb.int). However, this transition was severely derailed in October 2021 when General Abdel-Fattah Burhan, then head of the SAF, and Hemedti, his deputy, staged another military coup (reliefweb.int). This action dissolved the civilian-led government and unfortunately returned Sudan to military rule (reliefweb.int).

The uneasy alliance between Burhan and Hemedti, former partners in the 2019 coup, fractured over disagreements regarding the integration of the RSF into the regular army and the overall security sector reform (reliefweb.int). Their power struggle ultimately erupted into open warfare on April 15, 2023, turning Khartoum and other parts of the country into battlegrounds (reliefweb.int). This internal conflict has further destabilized a nation already vulnerable to historical divisions and external influences, tragically costing countless Black Sudanese lives and futures. The broken promises of democratic transition serve as a somber reminder of the challenges faced in establishing stable governance in regions with a history of militarized power structures.

A Deepening Catastrophe: The Human Cost of Conflict

The war’s impact on the Sudanese population has been devastating, creating one of the world’s most severe and rapidly escalating humanitarian crises (reliefweb.int). The death toll varies widely; United Nations figures indicate over 40,000 fatalities, but aid organizations suggest the true number could be significantly higher, possibly reaching up to 400,000 when accounting for deaths from violence, starvation, and disease (reliefweb.int). A study by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine estimated over 61,000 deaths in Khartoum State alone between April 2023 and June 2024 (reliefweb.int). Additionally, ethnic violence by the RSF and its allies in West Darfur led to an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 deaths in 2023 (reliefweb.int).

Moreover, over 12 million people have been forcibly displaced since the conflict began in April 2023, making it the largest and fastest-growing displacement crisis globally (reliefweb.int). Nearly 9 million people are internally displaced within Sudan, while over 3 million have sought refuge in neighboring countries such as Chad, Ethiopia, and South Sudan (reliefweb.int). This mass displacement tears families apart and creates immense strain on already fragile communities in the region.

The conflict has also triggered widespread famine, with approximately 25 million people—over half of Sudan’s population—experiencing severe food insecurity (reliefweb.int). Famine conditions have been confirmed in numerous areas, including displacement camps, and are tragically continuing to spread (reliefweb.int). The collapse of the healthcare system, coupled with widespread malnutrition, has led to rampant outbreaks of diseases such as cholera, malaria, and measles (reliefweb.int). More than 30 million people, representing over half of Sudan’s population, are in dire need of humanitarian assistance (reliefweb.int). Access to these vulnerable populations remains a significant challenge due to ongoing hostilities and insecurity (reliefweb.int). The sheer scale of this humanitarian crisis demands urgent global attention and coordinated action to alleviate the suffering of Black Sudanese families. Their resilience is tested daily against overwhelming odds.

Echoes of Injustice: The Global Black Response

The Sudanese crisis, a severe humanitarian catastrophe affecting millions of Black African people, has indeed spurred various forms of global Black solidarity and advocacy within the African diaspora ([TARGETED RESEARCH]). These movements often aim to raise awareness, mobilize support, and influence policy responses to the crisis ([TARGETED RESEARCH]). African American advocacy groups and leaders have consistently called for international intervention and accountability regarding the atrocities in Darfur, drawing parallels with historical injustices experienced by Black communities worldwide ([TARGETED RESEARCH]).

Organizations within the African diaspora, including those focused on human rights and social justice, have actively worked to keep the Darfur crisis on the international agenda ([TARGETED RESEARCH]). They have organized protests, lobbied governments, and raised funds for humanitarian aid, demonstrating a commitment to their brethren in Sudan ([TARGETED RESEARCH]). The concept of global Black solidarity highlights the interconnectedness of people of African descent worldwide, leading many in the diaspora to view the suffering in Sudan as a shared struggle requiring collective action and advocacy ([TARGETED RESEARCH]). Efforts by the African diaspora have included documenting human rights abuses, advocating for stronger sanctions against perpetrators, and promoting peace and reconciliation initiatives in Sudan ([TARGETED RESEARCH]).

African American leaders and organizations have played a significant role in advocating for peace and justice in Sudan, particularly concerning the Darfur genocide ([TARGETED RESEARCH]). Their involvement has ranged from congressional action and civil rights activism to humanitarian efforts and public awareness campaigns, reflecting a commitment to global Black solidarity and human rights ([TARGETED RESEARCH]). The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) has been a vocal advocate for stronger U.S. action in Darfur, pushing for sanctions, increased humanitarian aid, and greater diplomatic engagement to end the violence and hold perpetrators accountable ([TARGETED RESEARCH]).

Civil rights leaders and organizations, drawing parallels between racial injustice in the U.S. and ethnic violence in Sudan, have mobilized public opinion and organized protests to raise awareness about the crisis ([TARGETED RESEARCH]). They have also pressured the U.S. government for intervention ([TARGETED RESEARCH]). African American faith-based communities and humanitarian organizations have actively engaged in fundraising, sending aid, and supporting refugees and internally displaced persons affected by the conflict in Sudan ([TARGETED RESEARCH]). Furthermore, prominent African American figures have traveled to Darfur and the region to witness the crisis firsthand, using their platforms to call for international attention and action, thereby influencing U.S. foreign policy debates on Sudan ([TARGETED RESEARCH]).

The humanitarian crisis in Sudan, characterized by ethnic violence and genocide, profoundly resonates with and informs the broader discourse on racial justice in the United States and globally ([TARGETED RESEARCH]). It highlights the global nature of racialized violence, challenges universal justice narratives for Black people, and underscores the historical and systemic dimensions of oppression against people of African descent ([TARGETED RESEARCH]). For many in the United States, particularly within the African American community, the Darfur genocide is seen as a stark example of racialized violence against Black bodies on a massive scale, drawing clear parallels with historical injustices and systemic racism ([TARGETED RESEARCH]). The crisis challenges the global community to address the selective outrage and historical indifference often shown towards conflicts predominantly affecting Black populations, prompting crucial questions about the value placed on Black lives internationally ([TARGETED RESEARCH]).

The Path Ahead: A Call for Lasting Justice

The discourse around Darfur has often connected to the concept of intersectionality, demonstrating how race, ethnicity, and geopolitical power dynamics intertwine to create and perpetuate extreme forms of injustice and human suffering ([TARGETED RESEARCH]). The lack of sustained international intervention and accountability in Sudan has fueled discussions about the global architecture of racial justice, pushing advocates to highlight the need for consistent application of human rights principles regardless of the victims’ race or location ([TARGETED RESEARCH]). As the war enters its third year, the rejection of the latest peace proposal by General Burhan underscores the deep divisions and lack of trust between the warring factions, prolonging the suffering (reliefweb.int).

With the conflict continuing to escalate and humanitarian conditions deteriorating rapidly, the future for millions of Sudanese families remains precarious (reliefweb.int). They are trapped between relentless violence, hunger, and disease, desperately needing a lasting peace (reliefweb.int). The historical context, marked by colonial legacies, cycles of military rule, and the rise of powerful paramilitary forces, makes achieving such peace incredibly complex. Despite the grim outlook, the persistent advocacy and solidarity from the global Black community offer a beacon of hope, reminding the world that the lives and dignity of Black Sudanese people matter, and their struggle is a shared struggle for justice.

About the Author

Darius Spearman is a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College, where he has been teaching for over 20 years. He is the founder of African Elements, a media platform dedicated to providing educational resources on the history and culture of the African diaspora. Through his work, Spearman aims to empower and educate by bringing historical context to contemporary issues affecting the Black community.