The Sudan conflict continues to devastate the population, as more civilians face hunger, displacement, and despair each month. With no resolution in sight, both military factions persist in fighting for control, while humanitarian access becomes increasingly restricted.
Army Claims Victory in Khartoum—Briefly
In March, the Sudan Armed Forces announced the recapture of central Khartoum, sharing images of Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan walking through the shattered remains of the Republican Palace. The palace had been under Rapid Support Forces (RSF) control since the onset of the war in April 2023.
Despite fresh support and weapons from Egypt, Turkey, Iran, and Qatar, the army’s momentary success quickly stalled. RSF forces responded with renewed aggression, most notably through a drone strike on Port Sudan—the interim capital and primary humanitarian gateway.
Drone Strike Escalates International Tensions
The Port Sudan drone attack shocked both Sudanese civilians and international observers. The army accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of supplying the long-range drones used in the assault. Although the UAE denied involvement, persistent reports link it to RSF support throughout the 27-month conflict.
Led by Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo—widely known as “Hemedti“—the RSF has continued to push offensives across both urban centers and remote regions.
RSF Expands South With New Rebel Alliance
Hemedti has entered a tactical alliance with Abdel Aziz al-Hilu, commander of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-North (SPLA-N), which controls the Nuba Mountains. Their forces now eye new supply routes into Ethiopia, putting additional strain on army positions.
Already thinly spread in Khartoum and Port Sudan, the army may not be able to contain this southern expansion. Experts fear Ethiopia’s volatile border region could become a major RSF corridor.
El-Fasher Under Siege
In North Darfur, RSF fighters have surrounded el-Fasher, the region’s last city outside paramilitary control. It is defended by the Joint Forces, an alliance of Darfurian ex-rebels now aligned with the army.
These fighters are mostly Zaghawa, an ethnic group long in conflict with RSF’s Arab ranks. As a result, the ethnic violence underlying the Sudan conflict continues to worsen, pushing western Sudan further into humanitarian crisis.
Sudanese People Bear the Brunt
While warlords and generals maneuver, civilians endure the consequences. Over 10 million Sudanese are now displaced, according to the United Nations, and famine looms across multiple regions.
With peace talks stalled and external support fueling both sides, the Sudan conflict continues with no clear end in sight.
For deeper context on regional dynamics, read about Maurice Kamto’s standoff with police, Kenya’s expected rise over Ethiopia in 2025, or follow the latest developments in the Sudan conflict.
