Sudan: Unfolding Human Catastrophe

How Sudan Got Here
2003–2010s: Darfur insurgency, Janjaweed / RSF and allegations of genocide

·  In 2003 a rebellion in Darfur was met by a government-backed militia often called the Janjaweed. The Janjaweed were accused of mass killings, scorched-earth attacks, mass rape, and ethnic cleansing against non-Arab communities in Darfur. ACAPS estimates of deaths and displacement ran into the tens or hundreds of thousands; the episode drew international condemnation and genocide allegations. The paramilitary forces that later became the RSF trace their roots to that period.

2009-2019: Bashir era and international cases

·  Sudan’s long-time ruler Omar al-Bashir (in power 1989–2019) was indicted by the ICC in 2009 for crimes in Darfur. Internal repression, economic collapse, and political turbulence continued through the 2010s.

2019: Transitional period and 2021 coup

·  Widespread protests in 2018–2019 forced Bashir from power. A fragile civilian–military transitional arrangement followed. In October 2021 a military coup (General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan prominent) derailed the transition; the RSF, under Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo, became politically and militarily prominent.

April 2023: Open armed conflict between SAF and RSF

·  In April 2023, long-standing tensions between the SAF (loyal to Burhan) and the RSF (Hemedti’s force) erupted into open warfare across Sudan: heavy urban fighting, air strikes, artillery, and prolonged sieges (notably Khartoum). The conflict has been characterized by widespread civilian casualties, attacks on camps and hospitals, looting of aid, and restrictions on humanitarian access. UNOCHA reports that Millions fled their homes.

2023–2025: Cycles of fighting, shifting control, and atrocity patterns

·  Since 2023 the conflict pattern has included: sieges of cities, mass attacks on displacement camps in Darfur, recurring accusations of RSF attacks amounting to ethnic targeting (given RSF’s origins in Janjaweed militias), repeated strikes on medical facilities, and large-scale displacement. International mediation initiatives have repeatedly stalled. In March 2025 some reporting noted SAF retook Khartoum; fighting continued in 2025 with territorial shifts culminating in the October 2025 fall of al-Fashir to the RSF — the Darfur escalation now producing new atrocity allegations and famine.

Patterns and Drivers of the Violence

·  Paramilitary roots and ethnic targeting: The RSF evolved from militias with a history of ethnically targeted violence in Darfur (Janjaweed → RSF). That legacy helps explain allegations of targeted atrocities in Darfur now.

·  Urban warfare and impunity: Fighting in cities and attacks on hospitals and camps produce high civilian casualties; weak protection of civilians nd limited humanitarian access compounds mortality and malnutrition.

·  Humanitarian blockade and famine: sieges and supply chain collapse have helped drive famine into new areas (IPC Phase 5) — fatalities from hunger and disease now join deaths from direct violence.

What the International Community Is Doing (So Far)

·  Human rights investigations and ICC interest: ICC prosecutors have opened probes following the latest reports of mass killings; Amnesty and other NGOs are documenting alleged war crimes and calling for urgent protections.

·  Humanitarian appeals a& constrained access: UN agencies and NGOs have huge funding shortfalls and access restrictions; the World Food Program and partners urgently seek funds to deliver lifesaving aid but can reach only a fraction of those in need.

Key figures to remember (as of early Nov 2025)

·  Displaced / forcibly displaced since conflict escalation: ~11–12 million (internal + refugees/returnees totals consolidated by UN partners).

·  People facing severe food insecurity: over 21 million, with pockets officially classified in IPC Phase 5 (famine) including El Fasher and Kadugli.

·  Reported deaths at Saudi Hospital (reporting varies): media and health sources have cited figures near hundreds (reportedly ~460) for killings linked to the hospital episode; investigations and verification are ongoing