The Sudan Civil War: Causes, Ethnic Targeting, and the World’s Worst Humanitarian Crisis

 Sudan: Two Years of Destruction and Displacement – A Comprehensive Timeline (2020-2025)

On 15 April 2023, fighting erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the capital, Khartoum, marking the start of open civil war in Sudan. What followed has grown into one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world: mass civilian casualties, large-scale displacement, famine, and systematic violence. This blog post presents the full historical context, major developments, humanitarian consequences, causes and actors, the role of international responses and practical solutions.

Historical Background (Pre-2023)

Sudan has for decades struggled with deep political instability, military rule, militia formation, and ethnic- and resource-based local conflicts (especially in Darfur).

Before 2020, the region of Darfur and Kordofan had seen repeated violence, militia operations, land-and-ethnic tensions, making the situation ripe for escalation.

The RSF, which grew out of the Janjaweed militia, had been integrated into some state structures but remained semi-autonomous.

By early 2020-22, the transitional government and military were under huge pressure; tensions built between SAF and RSF over integration and command.

The Spark: April 2023 Onwards

15 April 2023: Open fighting breaks out between SAF and RSF amidst a power struggle over the integration of RSF into the national army. The conflict quickly spread beyond the capital to states such as Darfur (North & West), Kordofan (North & South), Gezira, and other central regions. Heavy weapons, including artillery and aerial bombardment, were used in urban and rural civilian areas.

Major Developments: 2023-2025

2023

The war raged in Khartoum and surrounding urban zones; civilians were caught in heavy bombardment and shelling.

Displacement proliferated: millions forced to flee homes.

2024

Conflict expanded into Sudan’s northern and central states, especially Darfur and Kordofan.

Large-scale atrocities reported: targeted killings, sexual violence, destruction of infrastructure including hospitals.

Food insecurity and famine warnings mount: in 2023 Sudan already had the largest number of people facing extreme food shortages globally.

2025

In late October 2025, RSF captured the state capital of North Darfur, El Fashir; the SAF announced withdrawal.

The humanitarian situation is described as “ugly”, with civilians trapped under siege, at risk of starvation, and being held for ransom while fleeing.

Weapons escalation: advanced drones and surface-to-air missiles are now in the hands of RSF, deepening the crisis.

Humanitarian Impact: The Toll on People & Society

Casualties & Violence

According to the global conflict tracker, by late 2024 estimates suggest as many as 150,000 people have been killed since the conflict began.

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights reports that in the first half of 2025 alone, at least 3,384 civilians were killed, many in summary executions.

Both SAF and RSF have been accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity: deliberate attacks on civilians, mass rape, ethnic cleansing.

Displacement & Humanitarian Need

Over 12 million people have been internally displaced, making Sudan one of the largest internal displacement crises globally.

More than 30 million people (about half the population) are in urgent need of humanitarian aid.

Food insecurity is massive: for example, Sudan had the highest number of people facing extreme food shortages worldwide in 2023.

Healthcare infrastructure is collapsing: hospitals attacked and supplies running out.

Trapped Civilians & Siege Conditions

In El Fashir, civilians fleeing violence have been held for ransom, and the area has been under blockade for over 500 days, preventing aid.

Survivors report unburied bodies, children starving, no safe passage, and widespread trauma.

---

Religious, Ethnic & Demographic Targeting: Who Are Most Affected?

Although Sudan is a majority-Muslim country (around 90–95 % of the population) and the conflict is not primarily along major religious lines (i.e., Christian vs Muslim), the violence has taken a strong ethnic and racial character, especially in Darfur and Kordofan.

In Darfur, the RSF and allied Arab militias have repeatedly targeted non-Arab Muslim communities, particularly the Masalit, Fur, and Zaghawa ethnic groups. 

These groups are also Muslims, but have been historically marginalized and viewed as “African” rather than “Arab”. The targeting therefore is less about religion and more about ethnicity, skin-colour and perceived identity. 

Reports indicate that in some areas, children (boys and girls) and women were among the first to be executed or raped during attacks, and entire families were forced to flee. For example, HRW reported massacres of Masalit civilians where children were “piled up and shot”. 

A major Human Rights Watch report titled “The Massalit Will Not Come Home” documents the RSF’s campaign against Masalit neighborhoods in El Geneina, West Darfur: from April to November 2023 the RSF and allied militias systematically destroyed housing, fired on civilians, looted and burned neighborhoods, preventing return. 

The targeting appears especially severe for non-Arab, darker-skinned populations in Darfur; one account quotes: “If you are black, you are finished.” 

In terms of age demographics: many victims are women, children, and older people. For example: in August 2025 the RSF killed 13 civilians on a road in the Darfur region—“mostly women and children” according to the Sudan Doctors Network. 

Attacks on hospitals and displacement camps also show that vulnerable groups—pregnant women, children, the disabled—are among those targeted or trapped. 

In short:

The largest number of direct victims are Muslim civilians from non-Arab ethnic groups (Masalit, Fur, Zaghawa) in Darfur and Kordofan.

The most frequent targeted groups are women, children, older persons and ethnic minorities in displacement camps or under siege.

While religion (Islam) is common across nearly all groups affected, the defining factor for targeting has been ethnicity, skin-colour, non-Arab identity, and perceived minority status rather than religion per se.

---

Key Drivers & Root Causes (With Logic)

1. Military-Paramilitary Power Struggle

The clash between SAF and RSF over integration, command, and state control triggered open warfare.

Logic: Without a peaceful chain of command and civil-military relations, the contest turned into full-scale war.

2. Ethnic & Resource-Based Conflict

In Darfur and Kordofan, long-standing ethnic tensions and competition for land/resources were inflamed by the war.

Logic: RSF targeted non-Arab communities and villages, contributing to accusations of genocide. 

3. Availability of Advanced Weapons & External Supply

Unimpeded arms deliveries fuelled the conflict, including heavy explosives, drones, missiles.

Logic: When both sides have heavy weapons and no strong external restraint, the conflict becomes destructive and protracted.

4. Weak State Institutions and Governance Collapse

Sudan’s fragile transitional government, economic crisis and absence of rule-of-law enabled the crisis.

Logic: A weak state cannot protect civilians, regulate armed forces or integrate paramilitary units.

5. Humanitarian Access & Impunity Failures

Warring parties blocked aid, attacked civilians, and there is little accountability. 

Logic: Without humanitarian access and justice, the suffering grows and conflict becomes entrenched.

Key Actors & Accountability

SAF (Sudanese Armed Forces) – The state military; responsible for large-scale operations in Khartoum and elsewhere.

RSF (Rapid Support Forces) – Paramilitary group led by Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo (“Hemedti”), accused of systematic atrocities (especially in Darfur).

External state actors – Some neighbouring states and global arms brokers reportedly supplying weapons and logistics to both sides. 

International organisations – United Nations (UN), UNHCR, OCHA, IOM, WHO, humanitarian NGOs (Amnesty, HRW, MSF, NRC). Their role is humanitarian response, monitoring, advocacy.

Responsibility: RSF and SAF both bear responsibility for violations; RSF in particular has been determined by the U.S. to have committed genocide in Darfur (January 2025). 

---

International Response & Challenges

What’s happening

UN Security Council resolutions: the arms embargo on Darfur region was renewed; sanctions extended until March 2026.

Humanitarian agencies continue emergency relief, appeals for funding, protection of civilians.

Sanctions and travel/asset freezes are being applied against some individuals/entities.

Major Challenges

Humanitarian access is severely restricted by ongoing fighting and blockades. 

Funding shortfalls: many agencies are only half-funded or less; urgent needs far outstrip capacity. 

Impunity: Neither SAF nor RSF have been credibly held to account; justice mechanisms are weak. 

Arms flows: Despite embargoes, weapons are still being transported into Sudan via neighbouring states and corporate actors. 

What Can Be Done: Solutions & Justification

1. Establish safe, neutral humanitarian corridors

Justification: Immediate relief to trapped populations; prevents starvation and collapse of basic services.

Action: UN/ICRC should negotiate with both sides, monitor the flows, and secure safe passages for aid.

2. Comprehensive arms embargo enforcement & sanctions tightening

Justification: Reducing weapons will help de-escalate fighting and protect civilians.

Action: International community must channel resources into tracking arms flows, sanction states/corporations aiding the warring sides.

3. International fact-finding and accountability mechanism

Justification: Deterrence of future abuses, building trust among populations, breaking cycle of impunity.

Action: Establish UN-mandated commission or tribunal specifically for Sudan war crimes, including sexual violence and ethnic cleansing.

4. Massive scale-up of humanitarian funding plus rebuilding livelihoods

Justification: Relief alone is not enough; people need to rebuild to avoid perpetual dependence and recruitment into violence.

Action: Combine emergency cash/food/power/health aid with medium-term programmes – agriculture, education, infrastructure.

5. Regional diplomatic initiative led by African Union + neighbours

Justification: Sudan’s conflict has regional implications; a regional political settlement is necessary for sustainable peace.

Action: AU/IGAD/Sahel states to co-chair negotiation process, guarantee security arrangements, and support transitional governance.

Conclusion

The war in Sudan, ignited by power struggles in April 2023, has escalated into a brutal humanitarian catastrophe. With tens of thousands killed, more than 12 million displaced, and over 30 million in urgent need of aid, the crisis is both immediate and protracted. Understanding its root causes – from militarised politics to ethnic violence, arms flows and weak institutions – is essential. Equally essential are solutions that combine emergency rescue with structural reforms, accountability and regional diplomacy.

For bloggers, journalists or content creators focusing on the Sudan conflict, the time is now: voices from the ground must be amplified, and the world must not look away. Acting now increases the chance of saving lives and paving the way toward peace.