Sudan has a population of more than 45 million people and is the third largest country in Africa. A conflict occurred in Sudan on April 15th between Sudan’s army and a paramilitary force. A paramilitary force is organized like an army, but it is not official and most times, illegal. 

This fighting broke out because of the rising tension of the proposed transition to civilian rule in Sudan. This follows all the way back to April 2019, when Sudan’s long-serving President, Omar al-Bashir, was overthrown by an uprising. 

Right now, the U.S. and regional powers in Africa are trying to pressure each force into stopping fighting. Both sides have at one point agreed to cease fire and then broken that agreement. 

So far, at least 500 people have died and 5,000 injuries have occurred. Many people have fled to neighboring countries, hoping to get away from all the fighting. The longer this violence continues, the more likely it is that other countries will be pulled in and it will be disastrous for the whole region. 

The fighting is most present in two different areas: Khartoum and Darfur. The Rapid Support Forces (the paramilitary forces), RSF for short, have taken over Khartoum’s city center and some of the other large neighborhoods. The regular army holds their ground on the city outskirts, this includes important supply routes.

The people who aren’t in combat are having difficulties as well. Thousands of civilians are trapped in their homes, without electricity, afraid to venture out because of all the fighting, and worried about running out of food, drinking water, and medicine.

Hope and love are being sent their way!!

Cites

https://www.worldvision.org/disaster-relief-news-stories/sudan-crisis-faqs#:~:text=Fast%20facts%3A%20Sudan%20crisis,-Sudan%20is%20Africa’s&text=Nearly%2016%20million%20people%20%E2%80%94%20about,to%20access%20essential%20medical%20services.

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/whats-behind-sudans-crisis-2023-04-17/

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-global/why-are-sudans-army-and-paramilitary-forces-fighting-each-other-8559862/ 

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/05/briefing/sudan-fighting-escalating.html

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