A clear explainer of Sudan’s civil war in plain language — for people who want to understand the world, fast.
Introduction: A Country Torn — Where Sudan Stands in 2025
Since April 15, 2023, the African country of Sudan has been locked in a violent power struggle between its regular army and a powerful paramilitary group. That fight has escalated into an all-out civil war. Human Rights Watch+2Al Jazeera+2
Millions of Sudanese have been forced from their homes. Cities lie shattered, and famine, disease, and fear grip entire regions. The Guardian+2Al Jazeera+2
This post explains — in simple, clear terms — why Sudan is at war, who is fighting, what the people are suffering, and why the outcome matters not just for Sudan, but for the world.
1. Who’s Fighting — The Main Actors
1.1 The Regular Army (Sudanese Armed Forces – SAF)
The SAF is Sudan’s official, national military. Its leader is Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. csw.org.uk+1
1.2 The Paramilitary (Rapid Support Forces – RSF)
The RSF began as a militia and then paramilitary force; by 2023 it had grown powerful enough to challenge the army. Its commander is Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo — known as “Hemedti.” Human Rights Watch+2The Sudan Times+2
What triggered the war was a failed plan to merge the RSF into the army after 2021’s coup and power-sharing deal. The RSF resisted — leading to open conflict. Human Rights Watch+2The Sudan Times+2
1.3 Other Militant & Local Groups
Beyond the main fighting, various regional and local militias, rebel groups, and tribal forces have joined the conflict — especially in regions like Darfur, South Kordofan, and elsewhere. The war, once between two sides, now involves many smaller players. The Sudan Times+2Wikipedia+2
2. Why the War Broke Out — More Than Just Power
2.1 A Fragile Transition and Broken Promises
Sudan had overthrown its longtime dictator in 2019. A transitional government tried to guide the country toward democracy. But trust was thin, and military factions never fully gave up power. The plan to merge RSF into SAF was delayed, mistrusted, and eventually collapsed — igniting the war. csw.org.uk+2The Sudan Times+2
2.2 Greed, Influence & Control
The RSF, built on former militias, had strong control over mining, smuggling, paramilitary business — power and profit. Absorbing them into the army would have stripped much of that — a loss they refused to accept. Amaan Foundation+1
2.3 Ethnic, Regional, and Political Divides
Sudan is diverse — many ethnic groups, tribal loyalties, regional tensions, and decades of suppressed conflict. These simmering divides made it easier for confrontation to explode once central control cracked. The Sudan Times+1
3. How the War Spread — From Khartoum to All Corners of Sudan
The war started in the capital and major cities, but it quickly expanded.
- By late 2023 and into 2024, fighting reached Darfur, Kordofan, Sennar, Blue Nile and other states. The Sudan Times+2Wikipedia+2
- Battles and sieges — such as the one in Kadugli (South Kordofan) — displaced tens of thousands and triggered new humanitarian disasters. Wikipedia+2Human Rights Watch+2
- The capital region remains dangerously unstable, though control of some areas has shifted. Al Jazeera+2The Guardian+2
What began as a power struggle between two generals turned into a full-blown civil war with multiple fronts.
4. The Humanitarian Nightmare — Displacement, Hunger, and Collapse
4.1 Mass Displacement
More than 12–13 million people — nearly one in three Sudanese — have been forced to flee their homes, either internally or as refugees abroad. Al Jazeera+2The Guardian+2
Entire neighborhoods, towns, and entire regions have been emptied out.
Worse: many live in makeshift camps, informal shelters, or with host communities — often with little to no aid, water, or medical support.
4.2 Collapse of Public Services
Hospitals, clinics, schools, infrastructure — all have broken down in many areas.
Health facilities and sanitation systems are overwhelmed or destroyed. Disease outbreaks, malnutrition, cholera, and basic lack of care now threaten survivors. Amaan Foundation+2Human Rights Watch+2
4.3 Food Insecurity and Famine
Fighting disrupted agriculture, supply lines, and markets. Many regions now face hunger and famine risk. Humanitarian agencies warn of thousands on the brink of starvation. Al Jazeera+2The Guardian+2
4.4 Crimes Against Civilians
Both sides — especially the RSF — have been accused of serious violations: indiscriminate bombing of civilian areas, mass killings, sexual violence, looting, and blocking humanitarian aid. Human Rights Watch+2The Guardian+2
The war has become, for many Sudanese, not just a fight for power — but a fight for survival.
5. Regional & Global Impact — Why Sudan’s War Matters to the World
5.1 Refugee Crisis & Regional Instability
Neighboring countries are straining under inflows of refugees, and ethnic/regional violence is spilling across borders. The United Nations Office at Geneva+1
Trade routes are disrupted, economies are unstable, and border security is shaky — affecting the whole Sahel and Horn of Africa region.
5.2 Proxy Involvement & External Interests
Experts warn that foreign influence — arms supplies, political support, regional rivalries — has fueled the war’s prolongation, turning Sudan into a proxy battleground. Foreign Policy Research Institute+2The Sudan Times+2
5.3 Global Humanitarian Burden
International NGOs, aid agencies, and global health systems are under pressure. The collapse of Sudan’s economy and infrastructure means aid, food, health and crisis relief for millions — straining worldwide resources. UN Regional Info Centre+2The Guardian+2
What happens in Sudan will shape the future of refugee flows, regional stability, and global humanitarian response.
6. What Could End the War — And What’s Stopping It
6.1 Possible Paths to Peace
- Negotiated Ceasefire between SAF and RSF, with outside mediation
- Inclusive Political Process including civilians and regional groups
- Disarmament and Integration of paramilitaries under legitimate national command
- Aid + Reconstruction Plans backed by international community
6.2 Why It’s Difficult
- Fighters on both sides have strong incentive to keep control (land, resources, power)
- Deep distrust, history of betrayal, and multiple armed groups
- Warlords, militias, tribal loyalties complicate any centralized solution
- External actors and proxy interests benefit from instability — some profit from arms, smuggling, or political leverage
Because of these factors, even good peace plans often fail — war feeds on complexity.
7. Why the World Should Care — Beyond Headlines
Sudan’s war is not “just” Africa’s problem. It’s a global issue with global consequences:
- Mass migration and refugee flows impact Europe, Middle East, and Africa
- Global commodity/climate supply chains (agricultural exports, oil, minerals) are disrupted
- A failing state can become a hub for terrorism, arms trafficking, and organized crime
- Widespread suffering and humanitarian collapse – a stain on global conscience
If Sudan collapses completely into lawlessness, the instability will spread far beyond its borders.
Conclusion: Sudan in 2025 — A Nation at the Edge
Sudan’s war began as elite power struggle.
It turned into civil war.
It exploded into national collapse.
Cities are destroyed. Families torn apart. Lives lost.
It is — by many measures — the worst humanitarian crisis in the world today. The Guardian+2Council on Foreign Relations+2
But this conflict didn’t have to end this way.
With political will, international pressure, and careful planning — there still remains a slim chance of peace.
For that to happen, the world needs to pay attention again, push for ceasefire, support humanitarian aid, and help rebuild trust.
Sudan deserves more than being ignored.
It deserves a future.
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