Tech • AI • Robotics
Inside one of the most dangerous countries on Earth
3/10TL;DR
Sudan’s civil war continues to devastate civilians and infrastructure, with drone strikes, mass displacement, and limited prospects for peace despite shifting territorial control.
KEY POINTS
Khartoum’s devastation
Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, once home to millions, has been left extensively destroyed after more than three years of civil war. Large parts of the city resemble other heavily bombarded urban centers such as Mosul, Aleppo, and Gaza, marking one of the most severe urban collapses in Africa in decades. Essential services and infrastructure remain crippled.
Warring factions and shifting control
The conflict pits the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). While the RSF controlled much of Khartoum for nearly two years, the army regained the capital in 2025. Despite this, the RSF still holds significant territory in western Sudan and continues to launch long-range attacks.
Drone warfare targeting civilians
Drone strikes have emerged as a defining and particularly destructive feature of the conflict. Attacks have hit critical infrastructure, including hospitals, with one strike destroying a main operating theatre and emergency room. These strikes have also targeted airports and civilian areas, contributing to mounting casualties and fear among residents.
Mass displacement and humanitarian crisis
The war has displaced approximately 14 million people, making it the largest forced displacement crisis of the century. In towns such as Kosti, around 20,000 refugees live in makeshift camps under dire conditions, facing severe shortages of food, water, and medical care. Disease outbreaks, including measles, have already claimed lives.
RSF offensive in western Sudan
The RSF is currently attempting to seize el-Obeid, a key western city. The offensive has triggered further displacement, with thousands fleeing east to escape drone strikes and ground fighting. The continued expansion of conflict zones exacerbates an already critical humanitarian situation.
Allegations of atrocities
The RSF faces accusations of widespread abuses, including acts described as genocide. These allegations add to international concern but have not yet translated into decisive intervention or accountability mechanisms.
Foreign involvement complicates peace
External actors play a significant role in sustaining the conflict. The RSF is reportedly backed by the United Arab Emirates, while the SAF receives support from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, and others. These competing interests reduce incentives for compromise and prolong the war.
Limited international mediation
Diplomatic efforts remain weak. The United States, preoccupied with tensions involving Iran, has shown limited engagement, with officials indicating insufficient capacity to mediate effectively. This absence of strong external pressure diminishes the likelihood of near-term negotiations.
Systematic looting and economic damage
During its occupation of Khartoum, the RSF stripped key infrastructure, including electrical systems, removing cables for resale across regional markets such as South Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. This has deepened the cost and complexity of reconstruction.
Reconstruction challenges
Rebuilding Khartoum is expected to take years or decades and require hundreds of billions of dollars. Funding remains scarce as government resources are prioritized for military operations, delaying recovery of essential services such as healthcare.
CONCLUSION
Sudan faces a prolonged and deeply entrenched conflict, where ongoing violence, foreign involvement, and humanitarian collapse overshadow any immediate prospects for peace or recovery.
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