Sudan
Sudan: a prolonged SAF-RSF war driving famine, displacement and regional arms diplomacy
Sudan is defined by the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which began in April 2023. Fighting has spread to 13 of the country’s 18 states. Reporting records more than 11 million people forcibly displaced, while another estimate gives 14 million, and around 20 million facing acute food insecurity. Famine was reported in 2024 and 2025.
The conflict has drawn foreign weapons, logistics and political involvement, with allegations concerning the UAE, Egypt, Iran, Turkey, Pakistan and Ethiopia. Control of gold, gum arabic and food supplies helps finance or shape the war. The UN and US are pressing to restrict arms transfers and secure a humanitarian truce, while SAF leader Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan continues to reject ceasefire attempts. Qatar has called for dialogue preserving Sudan’s unity and sovereignty.
- The SAF and RSF have been at war since April 2023, with Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan leading the SAF.
- The war has caused mass displacement and famine, with about 20 million people facing acute food insecurity.
- Both sides use foreign-supplied weapons; alleged supply networks link the conflict to regional actors and transit states.
- Gold, gum arabic and other commodities generate revenue that helps finance military operations.
- The US is seeking to extend the Darfur arms embargo across Sudan, while the UN supports stopping weapons flows.
- The live diplomatic question is whether pressure can produce a humanitarian truce and broader peace talks.
Synthesised from 40 sourced claims across our published briefings.
The complete claim-by-claim ledger for Sudan — every sourced report with its Admiralty grade, confidence, and the briefs that cited it — is on the Analyst plan.
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