Conflict Brief : SAF vs RSF in Sudan

Location: Ongoing in Khartoum, Darfur, and regions across western and central Sudan

Started: April 2023

Leading actors: The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces(RSF)

What is happening: Sudan is facing one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. Over 13 million people are displaced (Africanews, 2025); hospitals, homes, and infrastructure have been destroyed.

Why it started: The SAF and RSF were once allies. After dismantling Omar Al-Bashir in 2019, they split on who will rule the Country. Their rivalry, fueled by a fragile political transition, erupted into a full-blown war.

What is at stake: The conflict has resulted in a devastating human toll, with millions facing displacement, 10,5 million internally and about 4 million internationally (WHO,2025). Moreover, hunger, sexual violence, and targeted killings are rooming the Country (AP,2025). The Country's fragile attempted transition to democracy has collapsed, creating a political vacuum that fuels further instability. This turmoil is not contained within Sudan's borders; it is destabilizing neighboring countries such as Chad, South Sudan, and Ethiopia. Globally, the conflict has far-reaching implications, including disrupted trade routes, increased migration flows, and a high rise in humanitarian needs.

Why it matters now: On June 27, 2025, a 7-day ceasefire was brokered in El Fasher (Africanews, 2025). This ceasefire will allow critical humanitarian aid to reach affected populations, thanks to the efforts of the United Nations and international partners. However, this ceasefire is not a peace agreement. It represents only a temporary pause in the ongoing violence. Raising awareness at this moment is crucial for urging the extension of the ceasefire, promoting sustained international engagement, and supporting a pathway toward lasting peace in Sudan.

References 

Africanews. (2025, June 27). Sudan’s leader approves seven-day humanitarian ceasefire in El-Fasher. https://www.africanews.com/2025/06/27/sudans-leader-approves-seven-day-humanitarian-ceasefire-in-el-fasher/

Al Jazeera. (2025, June 17). Visualising the war in Sudan: Conflict, control and displacement | Sudan war News. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/longform/2025/6/17/visualising-the-war-in-sudan-conflict-control-and-displacement

Associated Press. (2025, April 16). Driven to starvation, Sudanese people eat weeds and plants to survive as war rages. https://apnews.com/article/7ba4ef69a3c24ef72fddd37329857368

Associated Press. (2025, April 15). Famine and atrocities mount as Sudan's civil war enters its third year. https://apnews.com/article/6c58102f54b9fd7d6d4d5565e25a987c

World Health Organization. (2025, May 27). Sudan emergency situation report No. 10 (20250527_sudan-emergency-sitrep-10.pdf). https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/2021-dha-docs/20250527_sudan-emergency-sitrep-10.pdf