The Struggle for Sudan: Torn Between Two Futures
- Advertisement -
Sudan’s landscape, once rich with the promise of unity and resilience, now bears the scars of division—a rift that has divided not just territory but hearts and aspirations. For a nation steeped in tumult and strife, the current conflict, fueled by a power struggle between two military leaders, leaves its people grappling with uncertain futures and deepening despair.
From Chaos to Division
At the crux of this turmoil lies a clash between General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), and Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo, leader of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Each leader, in his own corner, claims legitimacy and authority, transforming a mere power struggle into a battle for the very soul of Sudan. In August 2025, as the tension escalated, the conflicting narratives revealed a stark reality: Sudan is unwillingly spiraling into a state of division.
Dr. Amina Ibrahim, a political scientist at Khartoum University, poignantly encapsulated the sentiment within the country: “This isn’t just a fight for power; it’s a fight for our identity. With every firefight, we lose not just lives, but our collective humanity.” And indeed, as the two factions have staked claims over territories, cities once known for their vibrant cultures and communities are turning into war-torn landscapes echoing the sounds of artillery and despair.
A Brief History of Conflict
History has not been kind to Sudan. Since it gained independence from British-Egyptian rule on January 1, 1956, the nation has been embroiled in discord, punctuated by military coups, ethnic violence, and enduring civil wars. The lengthy north-south conflicts spanning from 1955 to 2005 culminated in the birth of South Sudan in 2011, a separation many believed would bring light to a long-darkened future. Yet, the glimmer of peace was fleeting.
Omar al-Bashir, who ruled from a military coup in 1989 until his ousting in 2019, left behind a legacy marred by war crimes, particularly in Darfur, where heinous acts resulted in the deaths and displacement of thousands. Hamed Adil, a Darfuri refugee now resettled in a camp in Chad, reflects grimly on those years. “Bashir’s rule was a nightmare; we thought it ended with his arrest, but now our nightmares have resumed in forms we hadn’t even imagined,” he states.
After a brief interlude of hope in 2019, when a civilian-military transitional government was envisioned, the coup of October 2021, led by General al-Burhan, shattered aspirations once again. Rain clouds loomed over the nation, heralding another storm of conflict.
The Present Struggle: A Nation at War
What has transpired since then is nothing short of tragic poetry; the evolution from conflict to war was swift and brutal. In April 2023, as the RSF and SAF clashed in the heart of Khartoum, the city became a veritable battleground. Airstrikes turned neighborhoods into rubble, and the sound of gunfire overpowered the once-cheerful bazaars filled with the rich scent of spices and warm bread.
“I still remember the laughter echoing through the streets. Now it’s eerie silence punctuated by blasts and screams,” shared Fatima Jamal, a former shopkeeper in Khartoum, her eyes glassy with grief.
By July 2025, the RSF heralded the establishment of a “presidential council,” consolidating their control over vast regions, particularly in Darfur. In contrast, al-Burhan’s SAF, based in Port Sudan, continues to garner international recognition, creating an atmosphere eerily reminiscent of Libya—a nation split into rival factions, each claiming allegiance and legitimacy.
The Human Cost: A Growing Humanitarian Crisis
The most heartbreaking casualty of this division is the civilian population, caught between the ambitions of two military leaders. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates around 10 million Sudanese have been displaced—the scale of suffering rising to what experts consider one of the gravest humanitarian crises of our time.
“We are witnessing a tragedy unfold, with entire families uprooted and left without shelter or sustenance. The cries for help echo beyond Sudan’s borders,” lamented Lila Mohammed, an aid worker stationed near the Chad border. Many have fled to neighboring countries, creating an overwhelming swell of refugees and mounting tensions in already strained regions.
- Basic services—water, food, and healthcare—have deteriorated beyond recognition.
- Amidst looming famine, particularly in affected areas of Darfur, food scarcity exacerbates the suffering.
- Humanitarian efforts are obstructed, with 60 documented incidents of violence against aid workers just last month alone.
In the Upper Nile and Central Equatoria regions, the struggle for access has turned perilous, underscoring the layers of complexity suffocating humanitarian efforts. Rising crime, kidnappings of aid personnel for ransom, and assaults on UN contractors paint a grim picture of desperation.
What Lies Ahead? The Uncertain Future of Sudan
The most haunting question looms: Can Sudan ever reunite? Or is it destined to fracture irreversibly? If current trends persist, we may witness the heart-wrenching reality of yet another failed state, mirroring the downfalls of Yemen, Syria, and Libya—countries only remembered now for their myriad factions and foreign-backed militias.
Such a fate would represent a second painful secession in Sudan’s history, an enormous blow to African solidarity and aspirations for unity. The ramifications would ripple throughout the Horn of Africa and beyond, engendering political instability, economic disruption, and shifting patterns of migration.
As we delve deeper into this humanitarian crisis, the voices that once filled the streets with chants of change and freedom now lay muffled under the weight of gunfire and despair. The vibrant civil society that burgeoned during the 2019 revolution is a shadow of its former self, stifled by fear and oppression.
In this somber time, we are left with a poignant reminder of the fragility of hope and the tenacity of the human spirit. As reported by various humanitarian organizations, every effort to aid those in need is met with walls of division, yet still, a flicker of resilience shines in the hearts of the Sudanese people—it is this resilience that may yet guide them through the darkness towards a brighter dawn.
PS: This article reflects my understanding of the subject. I welcome corrections or insights from experts who may offer a more informed perspective.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
