Sudan's Devastating Conflict Enters Fourth Year with No End in Sight
The brutal war in Sudan, which began three years ago when rival generals turned on each other after overthrowing the civilian government, shows no signs of abating. Instead, the conflict has intensified, creating one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises. Tens of thousands, possibly hundreds of thousands, have been killed, while four million people have fled abroad to already fragile neighboring nations. Internally, millions more are displaced, and over half the population—nearly 30 million people—face acute food insecurity. The capital, Khartoum, lies largely in ruins, a stark symbol of the devastation.
A War of Atrocities and Escalating Violence
Both sides in the conflict have been accused of committing horrific atrocities. Investigators report deliberate targeting of civilians, summary executions, and torture of detainees. Hospitals have been shattered, and the use of drones has increased, wreaking further destruction. In a particularly brutal episode, up to 10,000 people were massacred during the siege and capture of El Fasher in Darfur by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and its allies. A United Nations mission stated that these actions bore "the hallmarks of genocide." The RSF, led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, has even established a rival government in western Sudan, hardening the divide.
International Diplomacy Falters Amid Foreign Interference
Despite international efforts, peace remains elusive. General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who leads the internationally recognized Sudanese Armed Forces, refuses to compromise, demanding that the RSF unilaterally withdraw and disarm before any dialogue. The RSF, in turn, calls for a new federal system and the removal of Islamists from power. A mediation group led by the United States, with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt, proposed a roadmap to peace in September, but it avoided difficult questions and lacked sustained commitment.
The true scandal, however, lies in the role of foreign powers. Diplomats, experts, and even RSF insiders accuse the United Arab Emirates of being the main backer of the RSF, despite UAE denials. Saudi Arabia and Egypt support General Burhan, leading to regional tensions. Recent reports from Yale University researchers suggest Ethiopian collusion with the RSF, raising fears of a broader regional war. Longer-term, Europe faces criticism for funding Sudan to curb migration, which strengthened the RSF, and for producing weaponry now used on the battlefield.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens as Aid Dwindles
The humanitarian situation is dire and worsening. The conflict in Iran has obstructed essential relief efforts and increased costs, while governments worldwide are slashing aid budgets. Community kitchens, which were lifelines for many families, are disappearing; more than two-fifths have closed in the last six months. The UN's top official in Sudan, Denise Brown, abandoned diplomatic language, calling the situation "bloody unacceptable" and urging a focus on ending the war rather than just managing the crisis.
An international conference in Berlin aims to inject urgency, but humanitarian efforts alone cannot substitute for peace. The United Kingdom, the European Union, and other global actors must increase pressure on the UAE and all those seeking geopolitical advantage at the cost of Sudanese lives. Without decisive action, the war of atrocities will continue, leaving millions to suffer in a crisis that has been overshadowed by conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, and Iran.
