What’s Happening in Sudan and How You Can Help

What’s the story?

• The two main factions of Sudan’s military regime are fighting for power after a failed effort to transition to a democratic civilian-led government.  
• The paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) is battling against the Sudanese Army. The conflict highlights a longstanding, complex rivalry between the country’s two top generals who have been battling for leadership. 
• The clashes started over the weekend, killing at least 185 civilians, wounding 1,800, and nearly turning Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, into a war zone. 

Background 

• Civilians have been attempting to establish a democratic government since 2019 when mass protests erupted in the country. Sudanese protesters and the military successfully unseated President Omar Hassan al-Bashir four years ago — a despised leader who plagued the country with famine and war for 30 years. 
• After civilians and the military signed a power-sharing agreement, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan became the chairman of the Sovereignty Council, a body to oversee the transition to democratic rule. However, al-Burhan refused to give up his power and carried out a coup in 2021 with other military leaders. 
• Today, al-Burhan is the country’s de facto ruler and leader of the Sudanese armed forces. Al-Bashir founded the RSF to defeat a rebellion in Darfur around 20 years ago, and the group currently follows his appointee Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti. 
• While al-Burhan and Hemedti united to seize the power of the coup in 2021, they have publicly fallen out in recent months, deploying military camps across the country.

Why now?

• Tensions are increasing due to civilians demanding oversight of the military and integration of the RSF into the rest of the armed forces. The people also want the military to hand over lucrative holdings in industries such as agriculture and trade, which represent a crucial power source.
• Additionally, the Sudanese are seeking justice over the war crimes committed by the military in Darfur, specifically pursuing trials for al-Bashir. 

What’s at stake? 

• An attempted 24-hour cease-fire failed in Khartoum, keeping residents trapped in their homes. Many are running low on food, water, and other necessities. A United Nations spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, called on the warring factions to pause the fighting so civilians could safely evacuate. 
• Several of Sudan’s neighbors, including Ethiopia, Chad, and South Sudan, have been impacted by the political upheavals, especially since the nation’s location gives it an agricultural advantage. 
• Geopolitical tensions are also at play as Russia, the U.S., Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and other countries are attempting to gain the upper hand in Sudan.  
• A variety of foreign officials, from the UN, the African Union, the Arab League, the U.S., and the European Union, have been attempting to negotiate an agreement between the two factions and have urged them to allow a smooth transition to a civilian-led government. Because the negotiations were unsuccessful, world leaders fear that neighboring countries will be pulled into the conflict, the war zone will grow, and the death toll will rise. 

The civilians of Sudan are facing a humanitarian crisis. Donate to the International Rescue Committee to help provide relief and resources to the Sudanese.

-Jamie Epstein