Sudan After Three Years of War: Current Situation Uncertain

Sudan’s Civil War Enters Fourth Year, Millions Displaced

The conflict in Sudan has been ongoing for over three years, displacing millions of people and causing thousands of deaths. As of April 15, 2023, the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continues to affect the country.

According to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), approximately 14 million people have been forced to flee their homes, accounting for roughly a quarter of the country’s population. The majority of these displaced individuals have crossed borders into neighboring countries such as Chad, South Sudan, and Egypt.

The World Health Organization reports that an estimated 40,000 people have lost their lives due to violence in the conflict. The violence has included summary executions, attacks on civilians, house-to-house raids, and sexual assaults.

Efforts to mediate a ceasefire have been unsuccessful, with both sides unwilling to halt hostilities. The United Nations has led mediation efforts, including the “Quad” initiative, which aims to reduce arms flows and pressure the warring parties to reach a ceasefire.

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the African Union (AU) have also engaged in diplomatic initiatives to unite opposing Sudanese political factions and facilitate a political settlement. However, these efforts have so far been unsuccessful.

In recent months, there have been reports of serious human rights violations, including massacres, forced recruitment, and arbitrary arrests. Women and girls remain particularly vulnerable to conflict-related sexual violence.

The situation on the ground remains dire, with fighting continuing across large parts of the country. The RSF has consolidated control over Darfur, while the SAF controls much of the east and center of the country, including the capital Khartoum.

As of November 2025, Doctors Without Borders reported that 3,396 survivors of sexual violence sought treatment in MSF-supported health facilities across North and South Darfur. The RSF has denied allegations of supporting the group, but international partners have raised concerns about its involvement in the conflict.

Source: Al Jazeera