3 The News Issue 9 -October 2023 Sudan is no stranger to conflict – the Northeast African nation has endured 12 coup attempts, major ethnic violence within its Darfur region and 2 civil wars since it gained independence in 1956. In 2021, years of sustained protests finally resulted in the ousting of the longtime ruler Omar Al-Bashir, who is currently wanted by the ICC for atrocities committed during his reign. This was widely hailed as a step towards ending the strife within Sudan, and a military council was formed with the aim of establishing civilian rule in the country. However, in 2023, conflict has broken out once more, this time between the Sudanese Army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) – a heavily armed militia that was once aligned with the government. The Sudanese Army was, following the transition to civilian rule, planning to integrate the RSF into its ranks, but disputes over who would lead this new force and how Sudan would be governed have caused the two sides to enter a disastrous war. The conflict began in April this year, when RSF units attacked and occupied Sudanese military bases in the capital city, Khartoum. Since then, gunfire and airstrikes have not ceased throughout the city, with ceasefire negotiations repeatedly breaking down. The RSF, though vastly outmatched in terms of equipment, has been able to occupy large swathes of territory in the south of the country, as well as parts of the capital. It is estimated that the group has roughly 100,000 fighters at its disposal, many of whom have combat experience from historical RSF involvement in Libya and Yemen. The densely-populated nature of Khartoum, as well as the failure by the two sides to establish humanitarian corridors, have left many trapped in the city and around 1800 deaths have been recorded since April. Roughly 1.6 million people have been displaced by the conflict, with many fleeing to neighbouring countries such as Chad and Egypt. There has been a global outcry against the war: the UN, the African Union and the Arab League have been among the organisations demanding a cessation in hostilities. The fear of the conflict spilling over and destabilising the wider Sahara region has prompted world powers including the United States to broker peace talks between the two sides. The latest round of negotiations in Saudi Arabia proved unsuccessful as the RSF refused to agree to withdraw from Khartoum. Aydin AslamDenn (Year 12) looks at the causes of the recent Sudan Crisis, its humanitarian implications and the efficacy of the current global response. "Roughly 1.6 million people have been displaced by the conflict, with many fleeing to neighbouring countries such as Chad and Egypt." The Sudan Conflict Khartoum following an aerial bombardment during clashes between the Sudan Armed Forces and the RAF in May 2023.
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