The civil war in Sudan started in April 2023, rooted in a long-lasting power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF – the country’s army) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

On 24 November, the RSF agreed to a temporary three-month humanitarian ceasefire in response to growing international concern over the dire conditions civilians were facing. Famine has already been confirmed in several parts of Sudan.

To understand how Sudan has reached this point, this explainer unpacks the conflict’s causes, its turning points, the country’s geography and the humanitarian crisis now unfolding.

Why did the conflict erupt?

Sudan’s turmoil stems from a struggle between the SAF and the RSF, former allies who are now rivals, centred on who would dominate the country politically and militarily.

What happened in El-Fasher?

One of the critical moments of the war was the 18-month siege of the city El-Fasher, the last major urban centre in Darfur (the country’s western region) held by the army and its allies. The city fell to the RSF at the end of October.

United Nations human rights chief Volker Türk said that “traumatised civilians are still trapped inside El-Fasher and are being prevented from leaving.” The city was crucial for the Sudanese Armed Forces as their last stronghold.

The fall of El-Fasher drew international attention, amid mounting reports of widespread violence and war crimes from UN human rights watchdogs and other experts.

As of December 2025, Sudan is effectively divided between the RSF and the SAF along a roughly north–south axis, with the SAF controlling more than half of the country. The army holds Khartoum, Port Sudan on the Red Sea, and most of the northern border with Egypt, while the RSF controls much of Western Sudan, including Darfur, El-Fasher and key gold-mining and trafficking routes.

Where is Sudan?

Sudan is a large country in north-east Africa of around 52 million people, known for its ethnic and cultural diversity. Approximately 70% of the population is described as Sudanese Arab, while about 30% identify as Black African. The country is home to more than 500 ethnic groups, including the Masalit in Darfur, who have faced repeated waves of violence over the years.

The population is predominantly Muslim. Arabic and English are the official languages, alongside dozens of local languages and dialects. The country’s de facto head is the Army’s chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.

Sudan has an extremely harsh climate – largely desert in the north and along the Red Sea coast – characterised by high temperatures and little rain.

Sudan has long been considered one of the poorest countries in the world, even before the war, despite being a producer of gold and oil. The war has devastated the economy. GDP contracted by an estimated 29.4% in 2023 and a further 14% in 2024, marking one of the steepest economic declines in recent history.

How are civilians, especially children, affected?

Parts of Sudan, such as Darfur, have seen widespread destruction, leading to mass displacement and the collapse of livelihoods. Some 33.7 million people are now in need of humanitarian assistance.

By June 2024, around 12 million people were displaced, with over 10 million people remaining in Sudan, making it the largest displacement crisis in the world.

Food insecurity has reached historic levels. In 2025 alone, about 24 million people face acute food insecurity, and multiple regions are officially in famine. Children under five and pregnant women are among the hardest hit; malnutrition rates are among the highest in the world.

In March 2024, UNICEF released accounts of armed men raping and sexually assaulting children as young as one.

There have been growing concerns that RSF forces have started to carry out crimes against humanity and possibly genocide. Human Rights Watch said that it is possible that the RSF and allied militias were carrying out a genocide in Darfur against ethnic minorities such as the Masalit people.

Which foreign forces are involved?

The RSF’s fire power and mobility – including the use of combat drones, anti-tank weapons and other heavy/medium weaponry – have been sustained by supplies coming through channels linked to the United Arab Emirates, according to multiple sources. These shipments seem to be substantial, enabling RSF forces to stay in the fight despite having fewer soldiers than the Sudanese army.

In the past, according to the US government, Russia’s Wagner mercenary group has also supplied the RSF with surface-to-air missiles, contributing to the conflict’s prolongation.

What is being done to help?

Even with the violence tearing Sudan apart, aid organisations and local volunteers are still working every day to keep people alive. The European Union, UNICEF, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and countless NGOs are delivering food, clean water, medical care and shelter to millions who have been forced to flee their homes.

Some funding has increased – the EU recently pledged over €160m – and the UN is pushing for a much larger, long-term plan to prevent mass hunger and total collapse.

Much of the life-saving work, however, is carried out by local networks. UNICEF has brought safe water to millions and treated tens of thousands of severely malnourished children. Community groups run makeshift clinics, communal kitchens and emergency schools.

Despite this, the response is still far from enough. Many areas can’t be reached because of ongoing fighting, and aid workers are routinely attacked. Without stronger international pressure and consistent support, these efforts cannot keep pace with the crisis.

How can you support the Sudanese people?

Many Sudanese rely on NGOs to provide humanitarian aid, such as food, water or healthcare access. Reputable international organisations include Médecins Sans Frontières (MFS, also known as Doctors Without Borders) and ICRC, which focus on protecting civilians and ensuring wounded people can reach treatment.

The crisis in Sudan urgently needs more media attention. Sharing verified updates, personal testimonies or reporting from Sudanese journalists can help shed light on the dire situation. Public awareness can pressure governments to act. Sharing stories responsibly, with sources, helps combat misinformation and humanises the crisis.

The war in Sudan has forced millions into a struggle for survival. Over 30 million people – almost two-thirds of Sudan’s population – are in need of humanitarian help, and hundreds of thousands are on the brink of famine. Despite the overwhelming scale of the crisis, every act of solidarity, whether donating, raising awareness or supporting refugees, helps sustain life-saving work.