The war-torn nation of Sudan has been ravaged by the forces of two rival generals for a year now, resulting in one of the largest waves of displaced people in the world. The conflict has driven 8.6 million people from their homes, reshaping Africa’s third-largest nation with devastating speed.
The capital city of Khartoum, once a bustling center of commerce and culture, now lies in ruins. Bullet-scarred buildings and shallow graves fill deserted neighborhoods, painting a grim picture of the destruction wrought by the ongoing violence.
More than a third of Sudan’s 48 million people are facing catastrophic levels of hunger, as harvests and aid deliveries have been disrupted. The United Nations warns that nearly 230,000 severely malnourished children and new mothers are at risk of death without immediate food and healthcare. The closure of hospitals, clinics, schools, and universities has plunged the country into what the U.N. calls “the worst education crisis in the world.”
The death toll from the yearlong fighting has surpassed 15,600, with many more injured. Millions have been displaced, with over 6.6 million remaining inside Sudan and nearly 1.8 million fleeing to neighboring nations.
The conflict pits the army, led by Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, commanded by Lt. Gen. Mohamed Hamdan, also known as Hemeti. The two generals, who once united to seize power in a military coup, are now locked in a deadly struggle for control.
Efforts to reach a ceasefire have failed, with humanitarian agencies struggling to deliver aid amid ongoing fighting and logistical challenges. International donors have pledged over $1.2 billion in aid for Sudan, but the path to peace remains uncertain.
The conflict in Sudan has far-reaching implications, drawing in neighboring countries and international actors. The nation’s strategic location on the Red Sea and its borders with seven other countries make it a focal point for regional instability. The involvement of Russian mercenaries, Ukrainian forces, and the United Arab Emirates further complicates the situation, as competing interests vie for influence in the war-torn nation.
As Sudan continues to grapple with violence and displacement on a massive scale, the world watches with bated breath, hoping for a resolution to the conflict that has torn apart the fabric of this once-vibrant nation.
