Darfur — The conflict in Sudan continues to escalate, with heavy clashes reported between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) across several regions. As of early October 2025, violence is particularly severe in Darfur, where international agencies warn of a looming humanitarian catastrophe and possible ethnically targeted attacks.
Renewed Fighting in Darfur
Reports from aid organizations and local observers confirm that fighting has intensified around El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur. The RSF, a powerful paramilitary group that has been battling the national army since April 2023, is reportedly tightening its siege of the city.
On October 8, 2025, RSF fighters allegedly carried out an attack on a hospital in El Fasher, killing at least 12 people and wounding 17 others, including patients and medical staff. The attack, condemned by the United Nations, is the latest in a series of assaults that have targeted essential civilian infrastructure.
UN officials have expressed deep alarm over the risk of “ethnically driven atrocities,” particularly as reports emerge of targeted violence against non-Arab communities in the region. Thousands of civilians are believed to be trapped amid ongoing shelling and road blockades.
Humanitarian Crisis Worsens
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has described the situation in Sudan as “catastrophic”, warning that millions are caught between frontlines with little access to food, water, or medical aid.
Mass Displacement
- Nearly 12 million people have been forced from their homes since the conflict began making Sudan one of the largest displacement crises in the world.
- Many displaced civilians have fled toward Chad, South Sudan, and Egypt, straining already fragile neighboring economies.
Health Emergency
Cholera, dengue fever, and malaria outbreaks are spreading rapidly across conflict zones. Medical facilities remain under severe strain, with many hospitals either destroyed or operating without power and essential supplies.
Humanitarian convoys attempting to reach Darfur and Kordofan have reportedly been blocked or looted, leaving hundreds of thousands isolated without relief aid.
The World Food Programme (WFP) and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) have warned that unless safe corridors are established soon, famine conditions could emerge in parts of western Sudan before the end of 2025.
International Justice and Accountability
In a significant judicial development, the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague announced the conviction of former Janjaweed leader Ali Kushayb for his role in atrocities committed during the Darfur conflict (2003–2004).
Kushayb was found guilty of 27 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder, rape, and the persecution of civilians. The verdict was hailed as a milestone for international justice, though rights advocates stress that ongoing violations by both the SAF and RSF remain largely unpunished.
The ICC’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, said the conviction should serve as a reminder that “impunity for war crimes in Darfur cannot continue,” urging Sudan’s warring factions to cease attacks on civilians.
Diplomatic and Peace Efforts
Despite multiple rounds of mediation, peace efforts have stalled. The Quad Roadmap backed by the United States, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates calls for a three-month humanitarian ceasefire to allow aid delivery and peace talks.
However, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of the Sudanese Armed Forces, has rejected direct negotiations with RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), accusing the RSF of atrocities and treason.
International mediators fear that the absence of dialogue could push Sudan further into fragmentation and prolonged civil war.
External Involvement and Arms Supply Concerns
Analysts and regional intelligence sources have raised concerns about foreign involvement in the conflict.
Recent reports suggest that Iran may be providing arms and drone technology to the SAF, while the RSF continues to draw financial and logistical support from networks across Libya and the United Arab Emirates.
If verified, these developments risk turning Sudan’s internal conflict into a broader regional proxy war, complicating peace efforts and humanitarian operations.
UN and Global Reaction
The United Nations has called on both parties to immediately cease hostilities and to allow unrestricted humanitarian access.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that the situation in El Fasher and surrounding areas bears the hallmarks of “mass atrocity crimes.”
Meanwhile, the African Union (AU) and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) have reiterated appeals for a regional ceasefire monitoring mechanism, though implementation has been slow due to continued insecurity.
Looking Ahead
The prospects for peace in Sudan remain bleak. With millions displaced, food insecurity worsening, and foreign actors deepening their involvement, the crisis shows no sign of abating.
Observers say the coming months will be crucial in determining whether Sudan descends further into chaos or finds a fragile path toward stabilization through sustained diplomatic pressure.
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