Muhammad Hamdan Dagalo Musa (Hemedti)

Sudan’s Civil War Enters a Brutal Third Year, Sparking Fears of Wider Regional Instability

By [Your Name], International Editor

The conflict in Sudan, now stretching into its third year, has spiraled into a humanitarian catastrophe, displacing millions and threatening to destabilize an already fragile region. What began in April 2023 as a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) led by Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) under Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, has devolved into a nationwide conflict marked by escalating violence against civilians and a collapsing infrastructure.

The war has already claimed more than 40,000 lives, though aid organizations believe the actual death toll is significantly higher due to limited access to conflict zones. The fighting has shattered governance across the country, creating a vacuum exploited by armed groups and exacerbating existing ethnic tensions.

Darfur: A Region Revisited by Atrocity

Much of the most brutal violence is concentrated in Darfur, a region already scarred by earlier conflicts and genocide in the early 2000s. Investigators have documented widespread attacks on civilians, executions, and the deliberate targeting of communities along ethnic lines, with entire towns destroyed or abandoned.

The situation around El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, is particularly dire. Recent reports detail the RSF’s seizure of the city, leaving civilians trapped and humanitarian access severely restricted. Earlier investigations warned of a looming humanitarian disaster and the potential for mass atrocities in Darfur, including warnings of possible genocide as the conflict escalated.

The Rapid Support Forces have demonstrated a pattern of disregard for civilian life, exemplified by the recent detention of three female journalists in Nyala, South Darfur, after attending a workshop for women in media. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, they are being held without charge, highlighting the increasingly dangerous environment for reporters attempting to cover the conflict. Journalists face intimidation, enforced disappearance, and raids on media offices, forcing many independent outlets to shut down.

Healthcare System on the Brink

Beyond the frontlines, the humanitarian consequences are devastating. Sudan’s healthcare system is collapsing, with hospitals destroyed, medical staff fleeing, and supply chains disrupted. In the remote Nuba Mountains, a single surgeon, Dr. Tom Catena, is reportedly working to treat millions of people caught in the conflict, facing critical shortages of essential supplies like anesthesia and antibiotics.

Regional Fallout and Corruption Concerns

The conflict’s impact is spreading beyond Sudan’s borders, particularly to neighboring South Sudan. Already grappling with its own political and economic challenges, South Sudan is facing increased pressure from refugee flows and internal tensions. Recent reports of corruption-linked arrests within the South Sudanese government raise further concerns about stability in the region. Analysts warn that instability in Sudan could further destabilize South Sudan, given the close economic and political ties between the two countries.

A Fragmented Nation, A Diminishing Hope for Peace

Currently, the SAF controls parts of eastern and northern Sudan, while the RSF holds territory across much of Darfur and western Sudan. Front lines are fluid, and neither side appears capable of achieving a decisive victory. Attempts at international mediation have repeatedly stalled, with ceasefire agreements quickly collapsing.

The intensifying use of drones and heavy weaponry has raised fears that the conflict is entering a more destructive phase, particularly in areas where displaced civilians are concentrated. Recent incidents include a drone strike near Sudan’s border with Chad that killed civilians at a market, and another strike that hit a school and medical facility, killing mostly schoolgirls in White Nile state.

Despite the scale of the crisis, the Sudan civil war has received limited global attention. The lack of sustained international focus hinders efforts to mobilize resources for relief and diplomatic pressure, leaving millions of civilians trapped in a relentless daily reality with no clear path to peace.

Sudan Urges International Community to Designate RSF as Terrorist Group Amid Escalating Civil War

Khartoum, Sudan – The Sudanese government is intensifying diplomatic efforts to have the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) formally designated as a terrorist organization, a move officials believe will isolate the paramilitary group and potentially shift the trajectory of the brutal civil war that has gripped the nation since April 2023.

The call for designation comes as the conflict enters a new phase, marked by shifting battle lines and a worsening humanitarian crisis. Sudan’s Foreign Ministry released a statement Tuesday urging the global community to respond to repeated appeals from Khartoum, citing the RSF’s alleged responsibility for widespread atrocities, war crimes, and acts of terror.

The demand follows a recent U.S. decision to designate the Sudanese branch of the Muslim Brotherhood as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist entity, with plans to classify it as a Foreign Terrorist Organization beginning March 16, 2026. Sudanese officials argue for consistent application of such designations, stating that armed factions accused of large-scale violence against civilians should be held to the same standard as political or ideological groups.

The civil war erupted from a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF, commanded by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti. Disagreements over the integration of the RSF into the regular military sparked the conflict, which began with coordinated RSF attacks on military bases and strategic locations, including Khartoum International Airport and the presidential palace.

While the SAF regained control of key districts in the capital Khartoum by early 2025, including the presidential palace, the RSF remains entrenched in the Darfur region, maintaining strongholds in Kordofan and other southern territories. This has effectively divided the country into competing zones of control.

The human cost of the conflict is staggering. Analysts estimate more than 150,000 people have been killed, and millions have been displaced, creating one of the world’s worst displacement crises. Neighboring countries like Chad, South Sudan, and Egypt are struggling to accommodate the influx of refugees, while those remaining inside Sudan face severe shortages of food, medicine, and clean water.

Concerns are growing over potential war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the conflict. Investigations have documented allegations of mass killings, sexual violence, ethnic targeting, and deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure. Reports indicate violence carried out by RSF forces in western Sudan bears the hallmarks of genocide, particularly in attacks targeting non-Arab communities in Darfur.

The RSF has denied accusations of systematic war crimes, claiming it is fighting against a military dictatorship. However, the Sudanese government insists the RSF is an armed rebellion seeking to dismantle the state.

Khartoum believes a terrorist designation would restrict the RSF’s access to international funding and weapons, strengthening the government’s position both on the battlefield and in future negotiations. Officials have repeatedly warned that the conflict risks wider regional destabilization, particularly as neighboring countries become increasingly involved. Recent drone strikes in Kordofan highlight the escalating military tactics employed by both sides.

The situation remains fluid, and whether the international community will heed Sudan’s call for designation remains uncertain. As the conflict enters its third year, Sudan’s leaders are increasingly relying on diplomatic pressure and international law in an effort to alter the course of a war that has fundamentally reshaped the nation’s future.