PNN – The fall of the city of El Fasher, the crimes of the Rapid Support Forces, and the role of foreign countries have turned the situation in Sudan into a complex and multi-layered crisis.
Sudan, a vast country in the Horn of Africa divided by the Blue and White Nile rivers, has witnessed a deep humanitarian and political crisis in recent years. Since April 2023, the conflict between Sudanese army forces commanded by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces militia led by Mohamed Hamdan Daqlou (Hamidati) has escalated into a full-scale civil war. The conflict has left more than 20,000 dead, 13 million displaced, and 30 million in need of humanitarian assistance. The fall of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, on October 26, 2025, not only changed the military balance, but also raised concerns about a repeat of the genocides of the 2000s.
Sudan’s current crisis is not just an internal conflict, but the product of a combination of foreign interference, tribal rivalries, and historical legacy. The United Arab Emirates has been accused of sponsoring the Rapid Support Forces, and international pressure on Khartoum has further complicated the issue of national sovereignty.
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The Roots of War and Expansion into Darfur
Sudan’s war was fueled by internal divisions and rivalries among military elites. After the fall of Omar al-Bashir in 2019, former allies Burhan and Hamidati clashed over the division of power and resources. The Rapid Support Forces, which have roots in the Janjaweed militias of Darfur and a violent history of ethnic repression, first attacked Khartoum and then spread to the western regions of the country.
Darfur, which witnessed a genocide in the 2000s that killed more than 300,000 people, has once again become a hotbed of violence. El Fasher, with a population of about 800,000, was under siege by the Rapid Support Forces for 18 months. The fall of the city in October 2025 was not only a military defeat, but also a sign of the deteriorating humanitarian situation. Reports of nightly attacks on residential areas, the abduction of women and children, and the destruction of homes. Many residents were forced to flee 70 kilometers to the city of Tawila, where they witnessed the killing of civilians and mass burials.
War crimes and ethnic cleansing
The fall of El Fasher is a symbol of widespread human rights violations. In the first three days alone, more than 1,500 civilians were killed, mostly from the Masalit ethnic group, and were targeted for ethnic cleansing. Six medical staff were kidnapped and large ransoms were demanded for their release, severely damaging the health system. Hospitals were turned into military targets and medical equipment was looted. The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has documented mass executions, systematic rape of women, and acts of tribal violence. These actions have exacerbated ethnic tensions and created a severe humanitarian crisis. The Sudanese government has described these actions as “terrorist” and is trying to support the army against the Rapid Support Forces militia.
The role of external support
The UAE’s role in supporting the Rapid Support Forces is prominent. Various reports indicate that the country has provided military equipment, including armored vehicles and light weapons, to these militias. Analysts attribute this support to economic exploitation, control of gold mines in Darfur, and access to the port of Suakin. This foreign support has not only made the war prolonged, but has also fueled the debate over international responsibility for war crimes.
Humanitarian situation and critical statistics
Sudan’s humanitarian crisis is widespread. The UN reports that 30 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, 25 million are facing acute hunger, and 13 million are displaced. Many refugees have sought refuge in neighboring countries such as Chad, Egypt and Ethiopia. In Darfur, more than 250,000 people live under siege, without access to food, medicine and security. The cutting off of relief routes by rapid response forces has led to the use of starvation as a weapon of war. Reports indicate demographic cleansing and population restructuring in Darfur, which could have long-term consequences for the social and ethnic stability of the region.
Domestic actors of this crisis
The two main players in this war are the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces, but there are more complex layers. The Sudanese army, led by Al-Burhan, is active in the east and south of the country and emphasizes preserving national dignity. The Rapid Support Forces, with foreign support, control the western regions. Islamist groups and local popular committees play an important role in defending civilians and recording crimes. Civil-military coalitions such as Al-Taqwad can be decisive in the post-conflict phase, but their internal cohesion and coordination are still fragile. Local committees, with limited resources, are of particular importance as the only civilian protection force.
International reactions
The global response has been belated but significant. The United Nations, the African Union, and the European Union have condemned the violence. The United States has imposed sanctions on the commanders of the rapid response forces, and the UN Secretary-General has called for a halt to arms shipments. Influential countries in the region have attempted to mediate between the army and the rapid support forces. At the grassroots level, international campaigns and demonstrations have increased pressure on the countries supporting the militias and the international community. However, aid provision still only covers a fraction of the real need and the humanitarian situation remains critical.
Prospects for peace
Peace in Sudan is possible but fragile. There are three main paths:
- Military-security: Including a ceasefire, the integration of rapid support forces into the army, and the transitional government.
- Political-civil: Including national dialogue, the establishment of a transitional government, and holding elections.
- Human-social: including national reconciliation, reconstruction, and the creation of social justice.
Conditions for success on these paths include mutual recognition, neutralization of foreign interference, participation of non-political forces, and administration of justice to prevent retaliation. The Sudanese government can regain its legitimacy by strengthening internal structures and establishing a transitional parliament, but the challenges remain great: Splits in the military, excesses of rapid support forces, and external pressures pose serious threats to stability.
Conclusion
The fall of Al-Fasher, the crimes of the Rapid Support Forces, and the role of foreign countries have transformed the situation in Sudan into a complex and multi-layered crisis. However, popular resistance, support for the military, and international efforts to build peace can pave the way for reconstruction and stability. Sudan’s future is only possible through national reconciliation, justice, and limiting foreign interference.
Behind the scenes of the war, the UAE has acted as the main supplier of rapid support forces to the militias, escalating the war by smuggling gold and sending advanced weaponry. Despite claiming neutrality, the United States indirectly provides logistics for these forces through private security companies and military bases in the Horn of Africa, and the European Union plays an indirect role by remaining silent and continuing to trade in gold. Diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire and humanitarian assistance, including the formation of a Quartet, have so far been limited.