Sudan crisis goes beyond a simple struggle for control. There is more

The Sudan crisis is one of the most serious conflicts raging in the Middle East. Since 2019, the people of Sudan are facing tough challenges as a popular uprising ousted long-time leader Omar al-Bashir that year. The transition to democracy has been unsuccessful.

In 2023, Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan of the Sudanese armed forces and Gen Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo (also called Hemedti) of the paramilitary group started engaging in deadly fighting.

This internal conflict is still raging in Sudan and has already killed more than 28,000 people. Millions of people are facing displacements, both internally and externally. The humanitarian situation in the country is making headlines across the globe.

Sudan crisis and surge in sexual exploitation

Rights organisations are raising serious concerns about cases of harassment, rape, forced marriage and abduction in Sudan. In a report published at the end of 2023, UNHCR reported that the female population there is bearing the brunt of the consequences of the conflict.

The UN agency recently highlighted the story of a 39-year-old Fatima (name has likely been changed for security reasons). She and her 4 children decided to stay indoors as fighting first broke out in Khartoum. They thought it’s the safest option for them.

But their sense of security got shattered as three armed men came to the door one day demanding food. Later that night, one of the men returned and threatened to shoot Fatima if she did not do as he said.

Fatima faced sexual exploitation on 3 separate occasions. Desperate for a safe route out of Khartoum, she learned of a bus being organised to take families out of the city closer to the border – and registered for the journey.

Sudan suffers from a long-standing identity crisis?

The internal conflict raging in Sudan for more than a year is much more than a simple struggle for control. It reflects the deep-rooted crisis in the country’s infrastructure that has been present since it gained independence from British rule in 1956.

Since independence, the people of Sudan have experienced 35 coups and attempted coups. This is more than any other country on the continent. In the southern region, a 56-year rebellion ultimately led to the creation of South Sudan in 2011.

It has been reported that Sudan suffers from a long-standing identity crisis that has fuelled numerous rebellions. Sudan has a population of 49 million people – representing 19 major ethnic groups and about 597 ethnic sub-groups.

Sudanese army and Muslim Brotherhood: close relationship

In the earlier days of the Sudan crisis, The Times of Israel released a report titled: “Muslim Brotherhood’s linked to the Sudan’s army”. It came as the army’s release of thousands of inmates, including leaders of the former Muslim Brotherhood regime, shocked many.

Many Sudanese people fought against the regime in 2018. Despite ongoing trials for corruption and a coup, the army and the defunct regime leaders are together putting efforts into undermining the revolution, it added.

The release of the prisoners exposed the close relationship the armed forces and the Muslim Brotherhood share. There are also reports that one of the released leaders called on the Brotherhood to engage in the conflict on the side of the army forces.

‘Islamist infiltration of Sudans Popular Resistance Forces’

Late in 2024, Sudan Independent released a shocking article titled: “Leaked report reveals Islamist infiltration of Sudans Popular Resistance Forces”. The article quoted a copy of the leaked internal performance report obtained by Sudan Tribune.

The report from Sudan’s Islamic Movement highlighted its deep infiltration of the PRF – militias fighting alongside the Sudanese armed forces against the paramilitary group. It caters to information from the period 2023 to 2024.

The report describes the ongoing internal conflict in Sudan as a “continuation of the Zionist project in Sudan” and details the establishment of thousands of PRF training camps overseen by a central committee holding branches in every state.