SUDAN IN CRISIS: WHY REGIONAL ACTION IS NO LONGER OPTIONAL

By Amos Keter

Two years ago, on April 15, 2023, Sudan plunged into a brutal civil war. What started as a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by General Mohamed “Hemedti” Dagalo, quickly turned into a nationwide catastrophe. The conflict erupted violently in Khartoum, with the RSF seizing major government sites. Since then, the war has killed tens of thousands, displaced over 13 million people, and created what humanitarian agencies call the world’s worst crisis today.

Economically, the country is collapsing. GDP has shrunk dramatically due to destroyed infrastructure and halted production. Trade routes have been disrupted, and inflation has spiraled, making daily survival increasingly difficult. Military spending has drained public coffers, forcing the government to abandon critical sectors like healthcare and education. With soaring debt and a crumbling economy, the cost of war continues to crush the Sudanese people.

Sudan’s social systems are unraveling. Displacement has overwhelmed public services, and formal businesses have largely collapsed. Many citizens have turned to informal work with little security or income. In El Fasher, famine was declared in 2024, affecting hundreds of thousands in displacement camps. Natural disasters have worsened the crisis—floods destroyed villages near Port Sudan, adding another layer of suffering to an already dire situation.

At a human level, the pain is immeasurable. Access to food, shelter, healthcare, and education has vanished for millions. In 2023, a mass grave of 87 bodies was found in West Darfur, many belonging to the Masalit ethnic group. The U.S. government has since declared that genocide has occurred, and the International Criminal Court is pursuing arrests. Yet, justice remains elusive for those who continue to suffer or remain in hiding.

This conflict is not just Sudan’s burden. Neighboring countries are feeling the shockwaves. Kenya’s exports to Sudan have sharply declined, with Sudan banning all Kenyan imports after Nairobi hosted RSF representatives. Trade routes are blocked, refugees are pouring across borders, and entire economies in the region are being strained. Even Sudan’s national museum has been looted—stripping the nation of its cultural legacy.

International and regional responses have so far been inadequate. Allegations of foreign support to the RSF have complicated peace efforts, and internal military advances by both the SAF and RSF suggest the country could be split into rival regions. Without a coordinated strategy, the conflict threatens to drag on, deepening divisions and increasing the toll on civilians.

Now, more than ever, regional intervention is urgent. The African Union, IGAD, and neighboring nations must unite to push for a ceasefire, open humanitarian corridors, and initiate a serious peace process. The stakes are too high to ignore. Sudan’s suffering will not end on its own—and without action, the entire region could be drawn deeper into instability.