As Sudan marks the second year of its devastating civil war on April 15, 2025, the country remains trapped in a cycle of violence, displacement, and humanitarian catastrophe, with a reported death toll of over 28,700 as of November 2024.
The conflict has left more than half the population in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, with famine confirmed in multiple regions. More than 12.7 million Sudanese, around 30 percent of the population, have been displaced, both internally and across its borders. Neighboring countries such as the Central African Republic (CAR,) Chad, Egypt, and Ethiopia struggle to provide refugees with adequate humanitarian assistance as U.S. foreign aid has been slashed and international support remains insufficient.
The ongoing conflict disproportionately harms women and children, who endure horrific abuses, including rape, sexual enslavement, and persecution for which they are targeted because of their gender and ethnic identity.
Background
The Sudanese civil war that erupted in 2023 is rooted in decades of political instability plagued by civil conflict. The three-decade government of President Omar al-Bashir, known for repression and war crimes, was overthrown in 2019 by a popular uprising. Then, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by General Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo, joined the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), commanded by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, in forming a transitional government.
However, the two Sudanese state militia factions terminated their power-sharing arrangement after their civilian allies were ousted from the transitional administration in October 2022. Ultimately, full-scale conflict resulted from tensions rising over plans to incorporate the RSF into the national army.
The Current Human Rights Situation in Sudan
Despite multiple ceasefire declarations, fighting has intensified across the country, including attacks on civilians. Both parties have committed violations that may amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity, and other infringements of international humanitarian law (IHL). This ongoing conflict and widespread human rights abuses have been facilitated by an almost unimpeded supply of weapons into Sudan from states and corporate actors around the globe. In Amnesty International’s July 2024 report, New Weapons Fueling the Sudan Conflict, we determined that despite the United Nations Security Council’s (UNSC) mandated embargo, weapons and military equipment from countries including Russia, China, Türkiye, and the UAE are being imported into Sudan, with some of these weapons now in the hands of those accused of committing human rights abuses.
As of April 2025, two years into the civil war, the fighting continues. The SAF declared it has taken over the presidential palace in Khartoum, which had been held by the RSF since the start of the conflict in 2023, as well as other strategic locations, including the airport. Meanwhile, the RSF and its allies signed a constitutional agreement allowing for a parallel government in RSF-controlled areas, a move denounced by the African Union’s Peace and Security Council. Violations against civilians show no signs of slowing but only escalating further, and justice and accountability remain out of reach, as both warring parties vow to destroy each other and rule out any potential reconciliation.
Recommendations to the United States Government
The further collapse of Sudan not only puts its people in immediate danger but also seriously jeopardizes the security interests of the United States by destabilizing an already volatile region. The turmoil in Sudan could endanger significant U.S. interests in North and East Africa if Washington does not continue to play an active role in addressing the crisis. The Trump administration must prioritize access to aid, as funding is crucial for alleviating the suffering of civilians in Sudan. It is important to note that the humanitarian response in Sudan is hindered not only by insecurity but also by a lack of funding. Despite a promise to maintain lifesaving aid, waivers and programs have not been reinstated for all of Sudan’s humanitarian funding.
The U.S. should also use its relationship with proxy parties to the conflict, such as Egypt and the UAE, to bring all involved players together to agree to terms that cease to harm civilians and allow for humanitarian aid.
The U.S. should call on the UNSC to enforce the existing arms embargo on Darfur and extend it to cover all of Sudan. This step must be backed by reinforcing the fact that international law prohibits supplying arms to any party involved in a conflict where there’s a known risk of abuse. The current administration should be the pioneer in sending an unambiguous message that governments violating the arms embargo on Darfur by arming Sudanese belligerents will face consequences.
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