The conflict in Sudan has been raging for almost 18 months between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
During 2024, the fighting between both sides has brought a devastating toll on civilians amid a surge in violence, causing one of the most dangerous humanitarian crises in the world, according to the UN. However, all diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire in Sudan have failed, with no apparent end in sight. Here are the key developments in 2024 that you need to know:
Where Does Each Side Stand?
Currently, the RSF controls nearly all of western Sudan in addition to parts of central Sudan, including the capital, Khartoum, and Darfur. On the other hand, the SAF maintains control in the north and east of Sudan, and parts of central Sudan.
In February 2024, the SAF regained control of the center of Omdurman, a strategic city along the River Nile and part of the wider capital, Khartoum. Meanwhile, the fighting between the two warring sides intensified for the control of Al Fasher, the last major urban center in Darfur controlled by the SAF, according to BBC. The RSF laid a siege around the city, blocking food and medical supplies.
Major Offensives
In late September and early October 2024, the SAF launched a series of offensives in the states of Gezira, Khartoum, North Darfur, and Sennar, to relieve besieged troops and reclaim strategic positions from the RSF. In response, the RSF launched retaliatory attacks in Gezira, central Sudan, intensifying violence and causing more humanitarian suffering.
Moreover, the SAF is trying to break the RSF siege on SAF positions in Al Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state. The RSF controls the majority of Darfur, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
A Living Nightmare
The fierce fighting in Sudan has caused a dire humanitarian crisis, turning the country into a “living nightmare,” according to the UN. In late October 2024, UN officials noted that the escalating violence has taken the humanitarian crisis into unprecedented levels, displacing more than 14 million of the country’s population. At least 11 million of those have been internally displaced, while the other 3 million have crossed into neighboring countries, such as Egypt, South Sudan and Chad.
Furthermore, there are reports of mass killing and extreme violence across multiple regions in Sudan, committed by the RSF against members of the ethnic group of one of its defected commanders. There are also reports of widespread sexual violence by RSF forces, most notably in Greater Khartoum, Darfur and Gezira states.
Humanitarian Catastrophe
As the conflict is nearing the two-year mark, Sudan has become among the world’s top four countries with the highest prevalence of acute malnutrition, at an estimated rate of 13.6%. According to the UNOCHA, the situation is likely to deteriorate further in 2025, as a result of the ongoing conflict; food insecurity; lack of water, sanitation and hygiene services; displacement; and disease outbreaks.
Moreover, Sudan has seen multiple disease outbreaks since the start of the conflict, such as cholera, malaria, dengue fever, measles, and rubella, putting nearly 3.4 million children under the age of five at high risk of epidemic diseases, according to the UNICEF.
International Efforts
Despite the severity of the humanitarian catastrophe, the UN warned that the international community’s response remains severely underfunded. In response to this, the US, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, the African Union and the UN launched the Aligned for Advancing Lifesaving and Peace in Sudan (ALPS) Group in August 2024.
The ALPS Group aims to build upon the Jeddah Declaration to take concrete and immediate action to alleviate the suffering of the Sudanese people, save lives and achieve a permanent cessation of hostilities.
As a result, the ALPS Group secured the opening of critical humanitarian access routes, received commitments to improve the protection of civilians, particularly women and children. It also developed a framework to ensure compliance with the Jeddah Declaration and any future agreements between the warring parties.
In October 2024, the Group urged the two warring sides to increase humanitarian access to all parts of Sudan and address civilian protection concerns.
