Sudan, a country long plagued by civil unrest, has descended into a crisis that threatens millions with famine and death. On August 1, 2024, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) officially declared a famine in parts of Sudan, marking a grim milestone in a conflict that has consumed the nation since 2023. At the heart of the food crisis lies a civil war that shows no signs of ending, fueled by deep political divides, international interests, and years of systemic violence.
This blog explores the ongoing civil war in Sudan, the origins of the current humanitarian crisis, and why the world seems to turn a blind eye to the suffering of millions.
The Current Crisis: A Map Painted in Red
The IPC’s map of global hunger paints a dire picture of Sudan, with vast swaths of the country marked in red—signifying emergency and famine levels of food insecurity. Of the 12 locations identified by the IPC as famine-ravaged or at risk, more than half are in Darfur, a region long synonymous with violence and deprivation. As fighting continues to ravage the country, millions of Sudanese find themselves trapped between warring factions, struggling to survive amidst bombings, blockades, and rampant destruction.
The declaration of famine is the latest in a series of grim developments in Sudan, a country where hunger has become a daily existential threat. The roots of this crisis can be traced back to the outbreak of civil war in 2023, but the seeds were sown decades earlier under the rule of Omar al-Bashir.
Sudan’s Civil War: Two Men, Two Armies
The current conflict is primarily a power struggle between two men: General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, leader of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commonly known as “Hemedti,” the leader of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group with deep ties to the infamous Janjaweed militias.
What began as a disagreement over the integration of the RSF into Sudan’s regular army exploded into full-scale warfare in April 2023, after months of rising tensions. Both men have powerful allies, both locally and internationally, who have enabled this war to spiral out of control. The conflict is brutal and personal, with each side fighting for absolute power in a nation already weakened by decades of corruption, violence, and mismanagement.
The Legacy of Omar al-Bashir
To understand Sudan’s current conflict, one must look back at the rule of Omar al-Bashir, who held power for 30 years until his ousting in 2019. Al-Bashir’s reign was marked by widespread violence, particularly in the Darfur region, where he armed Arab militias known as the Janjaweed to suppress a rebellion by Darfuri groups. This campaign of violence, which began in 2003, would become one of the worst humanitarian crises of the 21st century.
By 2008, an estimated 300,000 people had been killed, and millions more were displaced. The Janjaweed, under the leadership of figures like Hemedti, carried out mass killings, rapes, and pillaging, devastating entire communities. This dark chapter in Sudan’s history has had lasting consequences, as many of the same actors and militias from the Darfur conflict are now key players in the current civil war.
The RSF: From Janjaweed to Power Player
The RSF, born from the ashes of the Janjaweed militias, has become a formidable force in Sudan. Hemedti, once a key ally of al-Bashir, now commands a paramilitary organization that is not only well-armed and battle-hardened but also financially independent, thanks to control of Sudan’s vast gold reserves, particularly in Darfur. The RSF’s access to these resources has allowed Hemedti to sustain the war effort, buying weapons, ammunition, and influence both within Sudan and abroad.
Key to Hemedti’s survival and success has been his ability to secure alliances with powerful international actors, most notably the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Russia. Sudan’s gold is smuggled out of the country, often through Libya, with the help of Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar, and sold on the international market, primarily to the UAE. This gold trade has provided the RSF with a steady stream of income, allowing it to continue its military operations.
Foreign Involvement: A War for Profit
The involvement of foreign powers in Sudan’s civil war cannot be overstated. While the conflict appears to be an internal struggle between the SAF and RSF, it is in reality a battleground for regional and global interests. The UAE, Russia, and Iran all play significant roles in supporting one faction or the other, motivated by economic gain and strategic influence.
Russia, through the Wagner Group, has provided military support to the RSF, seeing Sudan’s gold as a way to bypass Western sanctions imposed after its invasion of Ukraine. Meanwhile, Iran has thrown its weight behind the SAF, supplying drones and other military equipment as part of its broader goal to expand influence across Africa and secure access to the Red Sea.
The Humanitarian Toll
As the war rages on, the humanitarian cost is staggering. According to the International Rescue Committee, as many as 150,000 people may have died since the conflict began, though the exact toll is difficult to determine due to the chaos and lack of reliable reporting from within Sudan. Millions more have been displaced, with many fleeing to neighboring countries like Chad, while those who remain are trapped in a country where basic services have all but collapsed.
Sexual violence, particularly against women and girls, is rampant, with the RSF accused of carrying out systematic campaigns of rape and torture. The scale of this abuse is almost impossible to quantify, but reports from organizations like Human Rights Watch suggest that it is widespread and devastating. In some areas, entire communities have been terrorized into submission through these heinous acts.
The war has also exacerbated an already dire food security situation. The combination of fighting, economic collapse, and deliberate blockades by both sides has made it nearly impossible for humanitarian organizations to deliver aid to those in need. As a result, millions of Sudanese are facing starvation, with famine now officially declared in multiple regions.
Why Isn’t the World Paying Attention?
Despite the severity of the crisis, Sudan’s civil war has largely been overlooked by the international community. In part, this is due to the sheer number of global conflicts that currently demand attention—most notably the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. But it is also a reflection of the world’s long-standing indifference to conflicts in Africa, particularly in regions like Darfur, where violence has been a constant for decades.
There is also a geopolitical dimension to this neglect. Many of the countries that might otherwise intervene or at least condemn the violence—such as the United States and European nations—are reluctant to get involved due to the complex web of alliances and interests that surround the conflict. The presence of actors like Russia, the UAE, and Iran complicates any potential efforts to mediate or resolve the situation.
The Future of Sudan: A Nation Divided?
As the war drags on, the prospects for peace seem increasingly remote. Even if one side were to achieve a decisive victory, it is unlikely that the country would be able to return to anything resembling normalcy in the near future. The conflict has already fractured Sudan, with the RSF controlling much of the western half of the country, including Darfur, and the SAF holding the east. This division could become permanent, with Sudan effectively split into two or more regions, each controlled by rival warlords.
Such a scenario would have devastating consequences for the people of Sudan. The war has already destroyed much of the country’s infrastructure, and rebuilding will take years, if not decades. Meanwhile, millions of Sudanese will continue to suffer from hunger, displacement, and violence, with little hope of relief.
FAQ Section
Q: What is the main cause of the current famine in Sudan?
The famine in Sudan is primarily caused by the ongoing civil war, which has disrupted food production, destroyed infrastructure, and made it difficult for humanitarian organizations to deliver aid. The conflict has also led to deliberate blockades and the use of food as a weapon by both sides.
Q: Who are the main players in Sudan’s civil war?
The main players are the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as “Hemedti.” Both sides have powerful foreign backers, including Russia, Iran, and the UAE.
Q: How has Sudan’s gold influenced the conflict?
Sudan’s vast gold reserves, particularly in Darfur, have played a significant role in sustaining the conflict. The RSF controls many of these reserves and uses the proceeds from gold sales to fund its military operations. International actors, including the UAE and Russia, are heavily involved in the gold trade, further fueling the war.
Q: Why is the international community not intervening in Sudan?
There are several reasons for the lack of international intervention, including the complexity of the conflict, the involvement of powerful foreign actors like Russia and Iran, and the global focus on other conflicts such as those in Ukraine and Gaza. Additionally, there has historically been a lack of international attention to conflicts in Africa, particularly in regions like Darfur.
Q: What is the humanitarian situation in Sudan?
The humanitarian situation in Sudan is dire. Millions of people are facing starvation, and the country is in the midst of a famine. The conflict has also led to widespread displacement, with millions forced to flee their homes. Sexual violence, particularly against women and girls, is rampant, and many areas of the country are completely cut off from humanitarian aid.
