Washington, DC —17 April 2025
This week marks two years of war in Sudan. The conflict erupted on 15 April 2023 as a violent power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti). What began as a political dispute has escalated into a full-scale civil war, engulfing regions from Khartoum to Darfur and Gezira, and driving widespread atrocities alongside a deepening humanitarian crisis.
The war has devastated the country. It has been marked by massacres, systematic ethnic targeting—particularly against non-Arab communities such as the Masalit—and widespread sexual violence. The RSF has been implicated in acts that may constitute genocide, while both parties to the conflict have been accused of war crimes, including attacks on civilians, the destruction of civilian infrastructure, and the looting of Sudan’s National Museum.
Mass Displacement and Humanitarian Collapse
Sudan is now experiencing one of the largest displacement crises in the world. Since April 2023, more than 13 million people—approximately one in three Sudanese—have been forcibly displaced. This includes approximately 7.5 million internally displaced persons and more than 5.5 million refugees who have fled to neighboring countries, including Chad, South Sudan, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the Central African Republic.
Displaced populations are living in overcrowded camps and informal settlements with limited access to clean water, healthcare, education, and protection. Children are disproportionately affected. More than 2.8 million children under the age of five have been displaced, many facing heightened risks of exploitation, malnutrition, and disease.
The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate. Nearly half of Sudan’s population faces acute food insecurity, with famine conditions confirmed in parts of Darfur. More than 25 million people are experiencing acute hunger, and at least 3.6 million children are suffering from malnutrition.
Recent attacks on displacement camps in Darfur have resulted in hundreds of deaths, further compounding an already catastrophic situation. The conflict has also triggered economic collapse, with Sudan’s GDP contracting sharply, while disease outbreaks and severe underfunding of humanitarian operations continue to limit response capacity. As of early 2025, only a fraction of the required humanitarian funding has been secured.
Arms Flows and External Involvement
The conflict is being sustained and intensified by the continued flow of weapons into Sudan, often in violation of existing arms embargoes. Investigations have identified recently manufactured or recently transferred weapons originating from multiple countries, including China, Russia, Serbia, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, and Iran.
These weapons, which include drones, artillery systems, armored vehicles, and small arms, have been supplied to both the SAF and the RSF. External support has significantly increased the scale and lethality of the conflict, contributing to prolonged violence and greater civilian harm.
The United Nations has condemned the continued transfer of weapons into Sudan, describing it as unconscionable. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for an immediate halt to external military support, warning that the flow of arms is directly enabling widespread destruction and civilian suffering.
Human rights organizations have also called for stronger enforcement mechanisms and coordinated international action to address both the humanitarian crisis and the networks sustaining the conflict.
International Response and Political Constraints
International efforts to resolve the conflict have so far failed to produce meaningful progress. Diplomatic initiatives, including a United Kingdom-led conference aimed at establishing a contact group for ceasefire negotiations, have been undermined by divisions among key regional actors.
Several influential states, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, have backed opposing sides or declined to support unified diplomatic frameworks, reflecting broader geopolitical competition in the region. These divisions have significantly complicated peace efforts.
At the same time, the conflict has continued to evolve. The RSF’s territorial gains in Darfur and the announcement of a parallel governing structure have further fragmented the political landscape and reduced prospects for a negotiated settlement.
Humanitarian response efforts remain constrained by both insecurity and limited funding. While international donors—including the United Kingdom, the European Union, and Germany—have pledged financial support, the scale of assistance remains insufficient relative to the magnitude of need.
Outlook: A Protracted Crisis
As Sudan enters its third year of war, there is no clear pathway to resolution. Neither side appears capable of securing a decisive military victory, while continued external involvement and arms flows are likely to prolong the conflict.
The international community faces a narrowing window to act. A sustained and coordinated approach—combining increased humanitarian assistance, meaningful diplomatic engagement, and stronger measures to restrict arms transfers—will be essential to prevent further deterioration.
Absent such efforts, Sudan’s crisis will deepen, with far-reaching consequences not only for millions of civilians but also for regional stability and international security.
Photo Credit: Aftermath of fighting in North Darfur by UNAMID. Licensed under CC BY NC ND 2.0.
Lara Kajs is the founder and executive director of The Genocide Report (TGR). She has conducted extensive fieldwork in conflict and displacement settings, including Yemen, Syria, and Afghanistan. Her work focuses on humanitarian crises, international law, and atrocity prevention.