The 2023 Sudanese civil war has caused one of the largest displacement crises in recent history, with 12 million forcibly displaced and 25 million facing severe food insecurity.
Key Facts
- War start date
- 15 April 2023
- People forcibly displaced
- 12 million people
- Refugees fleeing country
- 3.5 million people
- Severely food insecure
- 25 million people
- Deaths in Khartoum State
- 61,000 people
- Acutely malnourished children
- 4 million children
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Following Sudan's 2021 military coup, tensions arose over plans to integrate the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) into the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). This power struggle within the transitional administration, set against Sudan's long history of coups and military rule since independence in 1956, created irreconcilable divisions between SAF commander General al-Burhan and RSF leader General Hemedti.
Fighting erupted on 15 April 2023 in Khartoum and other cities when RSF forces attacked government sites. The conflict spread to Darfur, divided the capital between factions, and drew in multiple rebel groups on both sides. The RSF gained control of most of Darfur and much of Khartoum by late 2023, while the SAF regained momentum in 2024, retaking Khartoum by March 2025. El Fasher fell to the RSF in October 2025.
The war produced one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises, with widespread famine, mass displacement, hospital closures, and disease outbreaks. The RSF was implicated in genocidal massacres, particularly of the Masalit people in Darfur. International sanctions were imposed on both factions, while the UAE faced accusations of arms transfers to the RSF. No lasting ceasefire has been achieved.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
3 belligerents
General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.
Side B
3 belligerents
General Hemedti (Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo).