What's happened
Sudan saw a 400% increase in returnees to Khartoum last month, with around 500,000 people returning as the government resumes reconstruction after four months of military control. Despite relative calm in Khartoum, fighting persists in Darfur and Kordofan, with millions displaced and a worsening humanitarian crisis. The UN warns of ongoing instability and risks of renewed violence.
What's behind the headline?
The recent spike in returnees to Khartoum signals a temporary stabilization in the capital, likely driven by the army’s recapture of the city in March. However, the ongoing conflict in Darfur and Kordofan indicates that the peace is fragile and localized. The UN’s warnings about the risk of renewed violence and the worsening humanitarian crisis highlight the deep-rooted instability. The formation of a parallel RSF government in Darfur and allegations of external interference, including accusations against the UAE, suggest that the conflict remains complex and geopolitically charged. The international community’s focus on ceasefire negotiations and humanitarian access will be critical in preventing further deterioration and fostering long-term peace.
What the papers say
The New Arab and Arab News both report on the recent surge in returnees to Khartoum, emphasizing the 400% increase and the context of military recapture. The articles highlight the ongoing conflict, displacement, and humanitarian crisis, with detailed statistics from the UN. The New Arab provides a comprehensive overview, including the military advances and regional control, while Arab News emphasizes the political stance of Sudan’s army chief and international reactions. Both sources underscore the fragile peace and the risk of renewed violence, with Arab News noting the failed peace efforts and external influences, such as accusations against the UAE. The consistency between the sources reinforces the narrative of a fragile, conflict-affected Sudan with a complex geopolitical landscape.
How we got here
Since April 2023, Sudan has been embroiled in a civil war between the military led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the paramilitary RSF, led by Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. The conflict has caused tens of thousands of deaths, displaced millions, and devastated infrastructure. The fighting has been concentrated in Darfur, Kordofan, and Khartoum, with the UN describing the crisis as the world's largest displacement and hunger emergency. Recent military advances by the Sudanese army have allowed some return to Khartoum, but violence persists in other regions, complicating peace efforts.
Go deeper
Common question
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What’s Happening in Africa and the US Right Now?
Recent conflicts and political developments across Africa and the US are capturing global attention. From the ongoing trial of Congo’s former leader to Sudan’s fragile return to stability, and investigations into US crime data, these stories raise important questions about regional stability, justice, and governance. Here’s a closer look at what’s happening and what it means for local populations and international observers.
More on these topics
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Sudan, officially the Republic of the Sudan, is a country in North-East Africa. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, Libya to the northwest, Chad to the west, the Central African Republic to the southwest, South Sudan to the south, Ethiopia to the southe
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The Rapid Support Forces are Sudanese paramilitary forces operated by the Sudanese Government. The RSF grew out of, and is primarily composed of, the Janjaweed militias which fought on behalf of the Sudanese government during the War in Darfur, killing an
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Khartoum or Khartum is the capital of Sudan. With a population of 5,274,321, its metropolitan area is the largest in Sudan, the sixth-largest in Africa, the second-largest in North Africa, and the fourth-largest in the Arab world.
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Lt. Gen. Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman al-Burhan is a Sudanese politician and Sudanese Army general who is currently serving as Chairman of the Sovereignty Council of Sudan, the country's collective transitional head of state.
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The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization that aims to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.
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The United Nations Security Council is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, charged with ensuring international peace and security, recommending the admission of new UN members to the General Assembly, and approving any changes to the UN
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The International Criminal Court is an intergovernmental organization and international tribunal that sits in The Hague, Netherlands.