An armed conflict between rival factions of the military government of Sudan began on 15 April 2023. It started when clashes broke out in western Sudan, in the capital city of Khartoum, and in the Darfur region. Since the beginning of the conflict, at least 559 people have been killed and more than 4,000 others had been injured.
The fighting opposes the RSF (Rapid Support Forces) leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo and Sudan's de facto leader and army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. The conflict between the two generals has led Sudan to the brink of renewed civil war and it has been referred to as a "burgeoning civil war"
A Kasi Insight survey conducted between April 26 and 28 amongst 6744 adults from 21 countries across the continent reveals that over half (55.25%) of Africans are aware of the current conflict. In Mozambique, 9 out of 10 respondents are aware of the conflict the highest percentage amongst the 21 countries surveyed. In Botswana, only 1 in 10 respondents are aware of the conflict. In countries bordering Soudan, awareness is higher than the average - 76% in Egypt, 82% in Kenya, 68% in Uganda and 57% in DRC.
As the conflict rages, there is concern over the spread of the conflict and the risk of the entire region. This sentiment is not really echoed by the respondents, only 26% of the respondents think the conflict will spread. Interestingly, Tunisians are the one mostly concerned with the spread of the conflict with 56%. In countries bordering Soudan, concern is higher in Egypt (47%) and lowest in DRC with only 7.61%.
The Sudan conflict is a complex and long-standing issue that has involved multiple groups and regions within the country. The roots of the conflict can be traced back to the colonial era when Sudan was divided along ethnic and religious lines by the British. Since then, various groups have fought for power, resources, and autonomy, leading to a cycle of violence and displacement that has lasted for decades.
One of the main sources of conflict in Sudan is the struggle for control of the government and natural resources, such as oil and water. The central government in Khartoum has historically been dominated by the Arab Muslim elite, while many of the marginalized groups are non-Arab and non-Muslim. These groups, including the Darfuris, Nubians, and the Blue Nile and South Kordofan regions, have long complained of discrimination and neglect by the central government, leading to widespread resentment and mistrust. The conflict in Sudan can also be understood in the context of the country's history of civil war.
The first Sudanese civil war lasted from 1955 to 1972, and the second civil war lasted from 1983 to 2005, resulting in the death of an estimated two million people and the displacement of millions more. The end of the second civil war led to the creation of South Sudan as a separate country, but it did not resolve the underlying grievances that continue to fuel conflict in Sudan.
In the early 2000s, a new conflict erupted in the Darfur region of Sudan, where rebels from the marginalized Fur, Zaghawa, and Massalit communities took up arms against the government. The government responded with a brutal campaign of violence, including the use of Janjaweed militias, which were accused of carrying out genocide against the civilian population. The conflict in Darfur has led to the displacement of millions of people and remains unresolved to this day.
Protests erupted across Sudan in 2018, leading to the ouster of longtime president Omar al-Bashir. The transitional government that replaced him has struggled to address the underlying grievances of the marginalized groups, leading to continued tensions and sporadic violence.
Currently, rival factions of Sudan's military agreed to renew a three-day ceasefire but fighting continues in the capital Khartoum. The extension for 3 days follows intensive diplomatic efforts by neighboring countries, as well as the US, UK and UN.
Ultimately, African leaders via pan African institutions like the UA and regional groups must step up efforts to bring an end to this war before its too late. The people of Africa are watching.
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