Two years have passed since the start of Sudan’s internal war, a conflict that has plunged the African nation into one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. On April 15, 2023, fighting erupted between the Sudanese Army, led by Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, and the terrorist group Rapid Support Forces (RSF), commanded by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti). To date, the war has claimed 150,000 lives.

A fractured nation grappling with violence

The war stems from deep-seated political tensions, historical inequalities, and unresolved power disputes between paramilitary forces and the national army. While Al-Burhan recently declared that Khartoum, Sudan’s capital, had been “liberated,” fighting persists across other regions of the country.

Dagalo, known as Hemedti, vowed his forces would return to Khartoum with even greater strength. Al-Burhan responded with the assertion that “victory will not be complete until the last rebel is eradicated from the last corner of Sudan”—highlighting the entrenched hostilities and absence of immediate prospects for peace.

Devastating impact on civilians

Over the past two years, the Sudanese population has faced catastrophic challenges. The death toll continues to rise, with the Sudanese Ministry of Health reporting over 300 deaths in just three days last week. Sudan is now grappling with the largest hunger crisis globally, as more than 12.7 million people have fled their homes—of which 3.8 million sought refuge in neighboring nations like South Sudan, Chad, and Egypt.

Humanitarian organizations such as the World Food Programme (WFP) have called for unrestricted access to affected areas and increased funding to provide lifesaving assistance. Despite efforts to support three million people per month, countless lives remain at risk due to insufficient resources and logistical barriers.

Urgent call for international solidarity

On this anniversary, global institutions and humanitarian advocates are intensifying demands for action: the establishment of humanitarian corridors, adequate funding for relief efforts, and international investigations to address potential war crimes. Reports of systemic rights violations, including sexual violence and extrajudicial killings, highlight the urgency of intervention.

After two years of uninterrupted conflict, Sudan’s fragmented social fabric calls for sustained peacebuilding efforts. As teleSUR, we emphasize the critical need for global solidarity to prevent this tragedy from worsening further. Only with collective action can we halt the devastation and safeguard the rights and lives of the Sudanese people.

Sudan: Causes and Consequences of a War That Dismantles Its Social Fabric

In April 2023, Sudan descended into war, marking a violent chapter in its history. The confrontation between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) unleashed devastation, exposing decades of unresolved power struggles, economic disparities, and ethnic divisions.

Roots of the conflict

The war’s origins are tied to Sudan’s long history of political instability. Before the transition initiated by Omar al-Bashir’s overthrow, unresolved tensions between Sudan’s military elite and paramilitary factions sowed deep divisions. The RSF’s lack of integration into the national army, coupled with disputes over resource control and regional dominance, escalated into open warfare. Ethnic disparities and external interference also exacerbated the internal strife, with neighboring countries vying to influence Sudan’s future governance.

Humanitarian disaster

As the war continues, the consequences for Sudan’s civilian population are devastating. Infrastructure has crumbled, leaving millions without access to basic necessities like clean water, healthcare, and education. 150,000 deaths, widespread hunger, and over 12 million displaced reflect the extent of the crisis. Reports of violence against civilians, including sexual assault and extrajudicial executions, underscore the destruction of Sudan’s social fabric.

The path forward

As teleSUR, we advocate for international solidarity in addressing Sudan’s crisis. Urgent action is required to facilitate peace negotiations, ensure humanitarian aid reaches affected populations, and hold perpetrators accountable for rights violations. Sudan’s history of conflict offers critical lessons about the risks of neglecting socio-political divides and the importance of global cooperation to secure peace and justice.

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