Since its independence from Britain in the 1950s, Sudan has experienced cycles of coups, insecurity and civil wars. The complex crisis over decades has contributed to poor economic conditions, internal and cross-border displacements, widespread food insecurity, and a lack of essential services, particularly health care. Extreme weather events further exacerbate these conditions.
The 2019 Sudanese Revolution marked the end of President Omar al-Bashir’s thirty-year dictatorship, one of Africa’s longest-ruling leaders, and paved the way for a transition toward civilian rule and democracy. However, a military coup by General al-Burhan in October 2021 added new dangers to the transition and the country. International financial support and debt relief amounting to billions of dollars were paused following the coup, worsening the economic crisis and humanitarian situation in the country.
On April 15, 2023, fighting broke out between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (known as “Hemedti”). The fighting, which initially started in Khartoum over a dispute on the integration of the RSF into the army, quickly escalated to a civil war and spread to other areas, including Darfur, North Kordofan and Gezira state. The conflict has led to mass civilian suffering and large-scale destruction.
RSF’s origins are rooted in the Janjaweed militia that carried out ethnic cleansing in Darfur in starting 2003. The RSF seems to be hiding in urban areas, as so much of the conflict is happening in densely populated areas and is impacting civilians.
Just a few days shy of the first anniversary of the conflict and the ‘International Humanitarian Conference for Sudan and its Neighbors’ on April 15, humanitarian partners CARE International, Concern Worldwide, Islamic Relief and International Rescue Committee urged a broader scale-up of humanitarian response, renewed efforts for an immediate ceasefire and increased funding for all humanitarian actors, including local and natural aid groups. This comes after the SAF rejected the UN Security Council’s appeal for a Ramadan truce on March 9.
The lack of funding has also been a consistent issue both human rights and humanitarian organizations raised.
On Sept. 12, 2023, 50 human rights and humanitarian organizations said, “Donors should step up humanitarian funding, both for local and international organizations who are providing indispensable assistance in Sudan and neighboring countries. The costs of inaction are mounting.”
