Sudan Country Report

Since mid-April 2023, clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continue in Khartoum and Darfur region. The recent fighting is a continuation of years of a power struggle between the SAF military chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and his deputy and leader of the RSF, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedt), over several issues, including the integration of the RSF into the Sudanese army which would result in Hemedt losing control over the unit. The tension between the two leaders worsened after the military and civilian opposition groups signed a deal to end the impasse between security and political elites in December. In accordance with the signed framework, the formation of a transitional civilian government was scheduled in early April 2023. However, several issues hindered the implementation, including the integration of the RSF forces into the army.

Intercommunal violence between Arab and non-Arab tribes has erupted in the Darfur region as a result of fighting between the RSF and SAF. Looting, burning, and indiscriminate shooting against non-combatants are also being reported. Opportunistic criminal violence, as well as long-standing ethnic tensions, have flared up and are both contributing to the conflict. Food, water, medicine, and fuel are all becoming increasingly scarce, and costs are skyrocketing.

The threat of crime remains significant in Khartoum and Darfur’s major cities, with RSF and SAF-affiliated personnel chiefly carrying out lootings.

Since mid-April 2023, clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continue in Khartoum and Darfur region. The recent clash is a continuation of years of a power struggle between the SAF military chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and his deputy and leader of the RSF army, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedt), over several issues, including the integration of the RSF into the Sudanese army which would result in Hemedt losing control over the RSF. The tension between the two leaders worsened after the military and civilian opposition groups signed a deal to end the impasse between security and political elites in December. In accordance with the signed framework, the formation of a transitional civilian government was scheduled in early April 2023. However, several issues hindered the implementation, including the integration of the RSF forces into the army.

Intercommunal violence between Arab and non-Arab tribes has erupted in the Darfur region as a result of fighting between the RSF and SAF. Looting, burning, and indiscriminate shooting against non-combatants are among the incidents. Opportunistic criminal violence, as well as long-standing ethnic tensions, have flared up and are both contributing to the conflict. Food, water, medicine, and fuel are all becoming increasingly scarce, and costs are skyrocketing.

Due to the recent conflict, the 2020 Juba Peace Agreement, signed by the government and several armed groups, has been jeopardized as some armed groups launched attacks against SAF forces in Darfur and Blue Nile State.

There are major concerns over the safety of air travel in Sudan and only a handful of reputable carriers operate regular flights to Khartoum International Airport (KRT).

Overland travel also poses a number of risks, stemming from movement restrictions, armed banditry, poor road conditions, and erratic driving by some local road users.

Port Sudan is inefficient.

Energy supplies in Sudan are largely limited to urban centers and frequent outages occur due to inadequate and aging infrastructure as well as insufficient generation capacity. Internet access is generally limited to major urban centers and is affected by slow speeds, high costs, and frequent disruption.

Cybercrime is not a serious concern given the limited Internet access among the population.

Sudan's climate is generally arid, with temperatures regularly exceeding 40 C (104 F) nationwide. Rainfall amounts vary greatly across the country, with precipitation most abundant in the south and minimal in the north. The rainy season typically runs July-October, although the onset is subject to complex weather patterns and can be significantly delayed, causing droughts and associated food security issues.

Low-to-moderate intensity earthquakes are infrequently reported in Sudan's northern region and northeastern coastal areas. The country is prone to flooding following periods of torrential rainfall during the summer months, particularly in central and southern states, and sandstorms frequently cause disruption to overland and air travel. Unexploded ordnance and landmines also pose a threat in many parts of the country, particularly in the Darfur region as well as the southern states of Abyei, Blue Nile, and South Kordofan.

A number of vector- and water-borne diseases are present in Sudan, including malaria, dengue, cholera, meningitis, and Rift Valley Fever. Medical facilities are mostly limited to Khartoum and provide only basic medical care, with evacuation often being required for all major medical cases. Prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals are not readily available and travelers are generally advised to carry sufficient supplies of any prescribed medication to cover their entire trip. There are concerns over sanitation, even in Khartoum, and sources of food and drink may pose health risks outside of high-end hotels.

Sudan experienced a 30-year period of relative political stability under the authoritarian regime of President Omar al-Bashir, during which the country began to shed its previous image defined by regular military coups, although protracted conflicts in Darfur and the south coupled with low electoral turnouts undermined the government's legitimacy to some extent. However, Bashir's mismanagement of the economy and low tolerance for dissent drove widespread popular anger against his regime which eventually erupted in a wave of sustained large-scale anti-government protests in 2018 and 2019. After losing control of the situation and the confidence of the security forces, his traditional power base, Bashir was ousted in a coup d'etat in April 2019, with the country coming under the control of a military transitional council.

A coup initiated by the military wing of the transitional government occurred in late October 2021, deposing Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok. The military wing, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, announced a national State of Emergency and the dissolution of the transitional Sovereign Council and the Cabinet of Ministers. Burhan further added that the military will form a non-partisan administration that will remain in power until elections are held to elect a civilian government in July 2023. The military then released Hamdok from house arrest and reinstated him to political office on Nov. 21. However, it was short-lived; Hamdok resigned on Jan. 2, 2022, after failing to achieve consensus between the civilian and military factions of the transitional government.

In December 2022, military and civilian opposition groups signed a deal to end the impasse between security and political elites. In accordance with the signed framework, the formation of a transitional civilian government was scheduled in early April 2023. However, several issues hindered the implementation, including the integration of the RSF forces into the army, leading to an outbreak of fighting between the SAF and RSF in April 2023.