PNN – The Darfur-Fasher region, with an area equal to one-fifth of Sudan and rich in natural resources, could have been an engine of growth and stability, but war has turned it into one of Africa’s largest humanitarian crises.
Sudan is one of the largest countries in Africa, covering an area of over 1.86 million square kilometers, acting as a bridge between the north and south of the continent. The country is located in East Africa, bordered by Egypt and Libya to the north, Chad and the Central African Republic to the west, Ethiopia and Uganda to the south, and the Red Sea to the east.
Sudan’s diverse geography, from the arid deserts of the north to the fertile plains of the center and the mountains of the west, has made it a complex and multifaceted land. The Nile River, with its two branches, the Blue and White, is the backbone of life in the country, where a large portion of Sudan’s 48 million population lives along it. Despite its strategic location, Sudan has been plagued by ethnic conflicts, civil war, and structural poverty for decades. One of the epicenters of this crisis is the Darfur region in the west of the country, a land rich in resources but plagued by conflict and instability.
The city of Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, has become a symbol of the conflict in recent years. The fall of Fasher in October 2025 to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) turned the tide of the war in western Sudan and raised concerns about the country’s disintegration. This fall was accompanied by war crimes and one of the most bitter pages of Sudan’s history was turned. This report examines the geographical situation of Sudan, Darfur, and Fasher, and analyzes their role in economic, military, political, and humanitarian dimensions.
Read more:
The role of foreign actors in the events in Sudan; what are the roots of the crisis?
The Geography of Sudan: An Unstable Bridge between Africa and the Arab World
Geographically, Sudan is divided into three main parts:
– The desert north with the Nubian Desert and the arid regions of Biar
– Fertile center around the Nile River and the plains of Gezira
– The south and southwest, which have a warmer climate and denser vegetation.
The country covers an area of over 1.86 million square kilometers and has an estimated population of about 48 million. The population density is low (25 people per square kilometer) and the annual population growth rate is reported to be about 2.5%. About two-thirds of the people live in rural areas and their livelihoods revolve around agriculture and animal husbandry.
Sudan’s economy was based on oil exports before the secession of the south, but since then, gold, cotton, livestock, and agricultural products have replaced the main sources of income. However, civil war and international sanctions have reduced the country’s GDP to about $30 billion.
Geopolitically, Sudan’s location is strategic: long borders with seven countries, direct access to the Red Sea, and its role as a gateway between North Africa and the east of the continent. This position has made the country constantly vulnerable to the influence of external actors. To the east, the Red Sea is a connection to the Middle East, and to the west, the border with Chad and Libya is a route for smuggling and troop movements.
The conflict between the Sudanese Army (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which began in April 2023, has torn the country’s political and geographical structure apart. The east of the country and the port of Port Sudan are now under the control of the army, while the west, especially Darfur, is under the influence of the RSF. The war has created more than 10 million internal refugees and 2.3 million refugees in neighboring countries, and has brought famine to a crisis in several states.
Darfur: Sudan’s Western Heartland, a Land of Resources and Conflict
Darfur is one of the largest states in Sudan, covering an area of about 510,000 square kilometers, or nearly one-fifth of the country’s territory. The region borders Chad to the west, Libya to the north, Kordofan to the east, and the Central African Republic to the south. Darfur is a mixture of desert and highlands, with an average elevation of about 700 meters above sea level. Annual rainfall varies between 200 and 600 millimeters, but frequent droughts and desertification have limited natural resources.
Darfur’s population is estimated at between 8 and 10 million, about one-fifth of Sudan’s population. This diverse population is made up of more than 80 ethnic groups. More than 70 percent of the population is engaged in agriculture and livestock farming, and about 20 percent of the country’s livestock is kept in the region.
Darfur is rich in natural resources. Gold mines in the region provide about 30 percent of Sudan’s gold output. In addition to gold, deposits of chromium, copper, and even traces of uranium have been identified in Darfur. Despite these potentials, war and insecurity have hindered economic development, making Darfur one of the poorest regions in the country.
Fasher: The capital of North Darfur, a crossroads of crisis
Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, is located 800 kilometers west of Khartoum. At an altitude of about 700 meters above sea level, the city is located on the main roads between Darfur, Chad, and Libya, making it a key geographical point. Fasher has a long history. It was the capital of the Kingdom of Darfur from the 17th to the 19th centuries, and Sultan Ali Dinar ruled the region from there. The Sultan Ali Dinar Palace and Museum, which was inscribed on the UNESCO list in 2023, is a cultural symbol of the city; although it has been seriously damaged in recent wars.
Before the recent civil war, Fasher had a population of around 500,000, but a wave of refugees from other parts of Darfur has pushed its population to over a million, with a large portion living in the Zamzam and Naifasha camps. The residents of Fasher are a mix of different ethnicities. The local economy is based on livestock farming and the gold trade, and the Fasher camel market is one of the largest animal markets in western Sudan.
Militarily, Fasher was the last major base of the Sudanese Army (6th Infantry Division) in the west of the country before its fall. The long siege of the city from 2024 to October 2025 led to famine and a severe humanitarian crisis. Fasher’s fall ultimately gave the RSF full control of Darfur, opening the way for the RSF to expand its influence into Kordofan.
Dimensions of the importance of Fasher and Darfur
Economic importance: Darfur and Fasher play a key role in Sudan’s economy in terms of natural resources, agriculture, and livestock. Darfur’s gold mines provide a major share of the country’s exports, and the region’s livestock markets are vital for trade with Egypt and Libya. However, the civil war has led to the collapse of production and trade networks. It is estimated that around 20 percent of Sudan’s livestock have been lost during the conflict.
Military and strategic importance: Fasher is in a position that gives it a logistical advantage. The city is at the crossroads of roads leading to Chad, Libya, Kordofan, and eastern Sudan. Control of Fasher means dominating supply routes and transport lines to the west of the country. With its fall, the army lost a large part of its defensive depth in Darfur, and RSF forces gained easier access to the center of the country.
Political and humanitarian significance: The fall of Fasher was not only a military defeat but also a symbolic blow to the central government. This event increased the risk of Sudan’s disintegration and paved the way for the formation of a kind of “parallel state” in the West. In humanitarian terms, a catastrophe is unfolding; more than a million people are living in a state of emergency, and famine and malnutrition are spreading rapidly. There are reports of increased ethnic clashes between Arab and non-Arab groups, which have caused heavy casualties.
Regional consequences
The RSF’s grip on Darfur has also alarmed neighboring countries. Egypt sees Fasher’s fall as a threat to the security of its southern borders. Chad and Libya are facing a new wave of refugees and arms smuggling, and the United Arab Emirates, one of RSF’s backers, has expanded its influence in western Sudan. International experts have warned that continuing this trend could turn Sudan into a collection of unstable states.
Conclusion
Darfur and Fasher are symbols of Sudan’s identity and structural crisis. With an area of one-fifth of the country and rich natural resources, this region could have been an engine of growth and stability, but war has turned it into one of Africa’s largest humanitarian crises. The fall of Fasher showed that the Sudanese crisis is no longer merely domestic, but has regional and even international implications. Inaction by the international community could pave the way for the country’s complete collapse. Sudan’s future depends on domestic will to negotiate and external support for reconstruction. Without it, the Darfur war could be the beginning of the collapse of Africa’s second-largest country, a catastrophe whose repercussions would reach far beyond the Nile Valley and into the heart of West Africa.