Khartoum: Sudan's ongoing conflict has reached a strategic stalemate, with neither side able to gain a decisive advantage, leaving the Sudanese population to bear the brunt of the ongoing war.
According to BBC, the conflict has been characterized by a series of offensives, new political alliances, and the delivery of weapons that have failed to tip the balance in favor of either party.
The Sudanese armed forces made headlines with the recapture of central Khartoum in March, utilizing sophisticated long-range drones, which they allege were supplied by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a claim the UAE denies. Meanwhile, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have expanded their operations to the south of Khartoum. The RSF's leader, Hemedti, has allied with Abdel Aziz al-Hilu of the Sudan People's Liberation Army-North, aiming to open new supply routes towards Ethiopia.
Simultaneously, a siege on el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, has led to dire humanitarian conditions. The RSF's blockade and attacks have resulted in famine, particularly affecting the displaced residents of Zamzam camp. The RSF has been accused of ethnic cleansing and other atrocities in West Darfur, and fears of retaliation loom over the Zaghawa communities in el-Fasher if the Joint Forces, who are mostly ethnic Zaghawa, are defeated.
The conflict is further complicated by accusations that Libyan forces, loyal to Gen Khalifa Haftar, have joined the fray, supported by Emirati backing. Sudanese civilians, who once toppled Omar al-Bashir through peaceful protests, are now fragmented, with different factions aligning with either army leader Burhan or RSF's Hemedti, or attempting to remain neutral.
Civic activism is under threat, with both the army and RSF targeting aid workers and human rights activists. The "Emergency Response Rooms," remnants of the revolutionary neighborhood committees, continue their humanitarian efforts but struggle with funding shortages after the closure of USAID by the Trump administration.
Diplomatic efforts for peace remain elusive. The UN's peace plan, led by Ramtane Lamamra, is based on an unlikely military victory for the army. The international community, including a London conference chaired by British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, has failed to produce a viable path to peace.
Regional politics add another layer of complexity. Egypt's President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi supports Burhan but is wary of Sudan's Islamist factions. Meanwhile, the UAE's continued support for Hemedti, despite military setbacks, raises questions about its intentions in Sudan's conflict.
The humanitarian crisis is severe, with over half of Sudan's 45 million people displaced and nearly a million facing famine. Aid delivery is restricted, and the UN's funding appeal remains critically underfunded. Sudan's plight remains a low priority globally, yet the UN and African Union could play pivotal roles in advocating for human rights and peace.
The international community must not turn its back on Sudan, where the humanitarian and political crisis continues to deepen, with millions of lives at stake. The Sudanese people, enduring immense suffering, deserve a concerted effort towards peace and stability.