Since in 2023, there were violent clashes between Sudani Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Khartum, the capital of Sudan, there has been a disastrous conflict that displaced more than 13 million people.
Among the affected people are the internal displaced individuals, refugees and refugees who have fled to neighboring countries. Mohammad Zakaria, a member of the Sudan Liberation Army Movement (SLAM), North Darfur, shared his personally. “Right now, all my family members are refugees in various countries – Libya, South Sudan, Chad and Uganda,” Mr. Zakaria told NDTV.
The experience of Mr. Zakaria is a symbol of widespread suffering across Sudan. Since family are scattered on boundaries, long -term social and economic impact is uncertain.
So what is really happening in Sudan?
historical context
Since gaining independence from Anglo-Missing rule in 1956, the country’s army, now known as Sudani Armed Forces (SAF), has eradicated immense power. The first military coup came in 1958 when Prime Minister Abdullah Kalil overthrew his civil government. Over the next decades, a pattern emerged: Colonel Jafar Neemiri topped a short -term democracy in 1969, overthrowing himself in 1985. Four years later, Colonel Omar al-Bashir seized power and started his 30-year rule.
Former Sudan President Omar al-Bashir
Concerned with the dangers of military acquisitions, Bashir adopted a strategy that was known “coup.” They surrounded themselves with several armed forces, each, to prevent anyone from gaining enough power to endanger their rule. The center of this strategy was SAF, which Bashir had greatly trusted during the cruel civil war in South Sudan. However, as the army got busy in the south, a new struggle erupted in Darfur.
Darfur crisis and rise of Janjawed
In 2003, there was an explosion in the rebellion in Darfur in the years of neglect and marginalized years. Bashir, not ready to oversech the SAF, turned to the local Arab militia, known as Janjawade. These militia, including the data, launched a campaign of atrocities against the “Hemti,” Darfuri rebels and citizens, including the Military, Mohammad Hamdan Dagalo, or data, which destroyed more than 3,000 villages and lost countless lives.
Mohammad Hamdan Daglo or “Hemti”.
Among the public leaders, Hematey received the trust of Bashir. Bashir referred to him “my safety,” a node for the Arabic word “Hemmati,” Earth Protection. Till 2013, Bashir officially recognized Janajawad as Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group with financial autonomy. Hemati was controlled at attractive gold mines in Darfur, giving them immense wealth and strength.
2018 Revolution and Bashir’s decline
By 2018, Sudan’s economy was freed from the loss of oil revenue after the independence of South Sudan in 2011. The government allocated 60-70 percent of its budget to 60-70 percent security forces, citizens fought for basic needs.
Closing mass demonstrations in Khartum, protests across the country. Despite Bashir’s efforts to capture power, SAF and RSF turned against him. On April 11, 2019, Bashir was excluded in a coup led by SAF Commander Abdel Fattah al-Boron and Hemati.
Although the protesters initially celebrated the removal of Bashir, they were careful with Burhan and Hemati, both were implicated in Darfur atrocities. When the pro-democracy protests continued, the RSF violently reduced more than 100 people in protest on June 3, 2019.
What is happening now
On 22 March, SAF removed the President’s Mahal at Central Khartum. However, an RSF drone attack on the palace resulted in a military spokesperson and three crew members of Sudan TV, who were reporting on the advance of SAF.
A satellite picture, Khartum, Sudan, shows the President’s Mahal on 21 March, 2025. Maxu Technologies/Handout Reuters/File Photo
Photo Credit: Reuters
“The Civil War has led to a large -scale humanitarian crisis. More than 13 million people have been displaced, including 9.5 million internal displaced individuals and 3.6 million refugees in neighboring countries. Additionally, 29 to 30 million people need assistance,” Mr. Zakaria told NDTV.
Sudan’s army chief Abdel Fattah al-Boron pointed the soldiers inside the President’s Mahal.
Photo Credit: Reuters
The conflict also increased to North Darfur, where the confrontation between the RSF and Darfur Joint Security Force resulted in damage to the paramilitary group as a result of the conflict. RSF began attacking with over 700 vehicles but faced a strong defense from the joint force. Reports suggest that more than 100 RSF fighters died, 30 vehicles were removed, and 17 others were destroyed.
“Food insecurity is a serious issue, in which more than 800 food producing companies are destroyed and looted by RSF. People are suffering from food deficiency, and children are more seriously affected than adults. Millions of Sudani children have been denied education, with more than 90 percent of which more than 90 percent of school children have no access to formal education,” Shree Zakaria told NDTV.
Sour images and videos by NDTV show boiling millet boiling millet in water for food. With rare of meat and vegetables, life in this camp is often harsh.
Views from Zamzam refugee camp.
Photo Credit: NDTV
In North Darfur, the city of Al-Fashir is one of the most affected areas.
“Al-Fashir has been surrounded by RSF since the onset of the war, with more than 208 clashes and attacks by RSF, all of which have been repeated by JFA and other forces,” Mr. Zakaria told NDTV.
Views from Zamzam refugee camp.
Photo Credit: NDTV
“The Zamzam refugee camp at Southern Al -Fashir has faced tireless drone attacks by the RSF. According to the residents, the camp has been bombarded more than 100 times, which continue daily. The camps have continued every day. Life is unhappy and unhappy in the camps – there is no food, no water, no shelter, and no security,” they said.
Killed, raped
Social media has played a big role in shaping the perceptions of conflict. According to Mr. Zakaria, many Sudani were unaware of the works of RSF before the commencement of war.
“The people of Sudan did not know the negative sides of the RSF before this war, but RSF recorded all criminal acts done everywhere in Sudan – killed innocent people, raping teenage girls, raping, massacre, robbing people and stealing cars. It is all known through social media,” he said.
Graphic video and eyewitness accounts have highlighted the atrocities committed during the conflict. However, misinformation and publicity also face challenges, to push both misinformation and disintegration to use the Internet with both sides.
Change in conflict
The Sudani Army has recently claimed significant victory, stating that RSF fighters have been approved by Khartum. “Our armies today have … forcibly cleaned the last pocket of the remains of the Daglo terrorist militia in the Khartum area,” said military spokesperson Nail Abdullah.
After being forced to escape from Khartum about two years ago, Army chief Abdel Fattah al-Boron announced the capital from the “free” RSF control. In a victorious comeback at the President’s Mahal, Mr. Al-Boron described it as a difficult win.
“Neither to retreat nor surrender. We will distribute crushing necklaces to the enemy on all fronts,” RSF said in a statement.
