Extreme Violence Surges in Sudan as Military and Paramilitary Clashes Intensify
Escalation and Consequences
Fighting between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has intensified since late October, with reports of attacks on civilians including sexual violence against women and girls raising alarm. The war that erupted in April 2023 has created what the UN calls the world’s worst displacement crises, with more than 11 million people forced from their homes.
Violence and Suffering
"Over the last two weeks, the situation in the country has been marked by some of the most extreme violence since the start of the conflict," according to Rosemary DiCarlo, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs. "Let me stress that both warring parties bear responsibility for this violence," she said, adding that both sides "seem convinced they can prevail on the battlefield."
Since October 20, at least 124 civilians have been killed in central Al-Jazira state and another 135,000 have fled to other states, according to the UN. With global attention focused on other wars, chiefly in Ukraine and the Middle East, civilians in Sudan are paying a steep price for the escalation.
No Political Solution in Sight
"All indicators so far show that both sides are committed to military solutions, with no genuine interest in political resolutions or even easing the suffering of civilians," according to Mohamed Osman of Human Rights Watch. Amani al-Taweel, director of the Africa programme at the Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies in Cairo, agreed.
"There is no political solution on the horizon," she told AFP, adding that both sides were seeking a "decisive military solution."
Split Sudan
The war in Sudan has pitted army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan against his erstwhile ally Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, leader of the RSF. The country is split into zones of control, with the army holding the north and east, and the government based in Port Sudan on the Red Sea coast. The RSF controls much of the capital Khartoum, the Darfur region in the west and parts of Kordofan in the south, while the centre is split.
Escalation and Proxy War
Since October, the RSF escalated its attacks in Al-Jazira state, south of Khartoum, following what the military said was the defection of one of its commanders to the army. Before the war, Al-Jazira was known as Sudan’s breadbasket, hosting Africa’s largest agricultural project, yielding 65 percent of the country’s cotton.
Some areas have been scarred by conflict before. Darfur saw a major war two decades ago, during which the then-government’s allies in the Janjaweed militia faced accusations of ethnic cleansing and genocide. With roots in the Janjaweed, the RSF became a force in its own right in 2013.
Sudan’s conflict has increasingly drawn in regional powers, prompting the United States to urge all countries to stop arming rival generals. Former Egyptian deputy foreign minister for African affairs Ali el-Hefny said progress will require global willpower. Instead, foreign powers are "fuelling the violence, delaying Sudan’s return to stability," he said.
Deadlock and International Involvement
Successive rounds of talks have been held in Saudi Arabia, but the negotiations have yet to produce a ceasefire. In August, the Sudanese military opted out of US-brokered negotiations in Switzerland and an African Union-led mediation has also stalled.
"The deadlock in peaceful channels, whether regionally or internationally, is exacerbating the violence," said Mahmud Zakaria, a professor of political science at Cairo University’s Faculty of African Postgraduate Studies.
Conclusion
Sudan’s conflict continues to escalate, with both sides committing atrocities and civilians paying the price. There is no political solution in sight, and international powers are failing to take concrete action to stop the violence. The situation is critical, and it is crucial that the international community works together to find a lasting solution to the crisis.
FAQs
- What is the cause of the conflict in Sudan?
The conflict in Sudan is between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) over power and control of the country. - How many people have been displaced by the conflict?
More than 11 million people have been forced to flee their homes due to the conflict. - What is the situation with food and famine in Sudan?
Sudan is on the brink of famine, with many people facing severe food insecurity. - What is the international community doing to address the situation?
The international community is urging both sides to stop the violence and pursue a political solution, but there is no concrete action being taken to stop the conflict. - Is there a political solution to the conflict?
There is no political solution in sight, with both sides seeking a "decisive military solution".