The Middle East Monitor published on 12 May 2026 an article titled "Nearly 50,000 Displaced in Sudan's Blue Nile State Since Start of 2026."
The International Organization for Migration reported that almost 50,000 people have been displaced since the beginning of 2026 in Sudan's Blue Nile State as a result of fighting between the Sudan Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. Blue Nile State borders both Ethiopia and South Sudan.
The Christian Science Monitor published on 15 April 2026 an article titled "After 3 Years of War, Sudanese Civilians Pay the Price" by Sophie Neiman and Guy Peterson.
This account focuses on the Sudanese conflict in the Nuba Mountains where the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces is aligned with the SPLM-N against the Sudan Armed Forces.
Prospect published on 1 April 2026 an article titled "Sudan's War in the Mountains" by Sophie Neiman.
The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) is using the Nuba Mountains as a thoroughfare to take territory controlled by the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) in the eastern part of Sudan. The Nuba Mountains have become a new frontline in the civil war. The RSF is aligned with the SPLM-N against the SAF.
AEI's Critical Threat Africa File posted on 26 March 2026 an article titled "Sudan" by Michael DeAngelo, Liam Karr, and Elliot Nazar.
The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied SPLM-N have taken control of the southern part of Sudan's Blue Nile State, which borders Ethiopia. The UAE is now supplying the RSF through Ethiopia and across the border into Blue Nile State.
AEI's Critical Threats Africa File posted on 19 March 2026 an article titled "Sudan" by Michael DeAngelo and Elliot Nazar.
The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has consolidated control in western Sudan while the Sudan Armed Forces made gains in southeastern Sudan. External actors continue to fuel the conflict.
The Rift Vally Institute published in October 2025 a study titled "Political Economy of Cash and Markets in Sudan" by Omer Egemi and Calum McLean.
Sudan is the world's largest displacement and humanitarian crisis. The study covers Khartoum, the political and economic hub of the country, and the two regions of Kordofan and Darfur in western Sudan during the period from February to April 2025.
Sudan's economy is largely controlled by warring parties, especially the Sudan Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. The study analyses the political economy dynamics shaping Sudan's crisis with particular focus on aspects affecting cash and markets.
AEI's Critical Threats Africa File posted on 5 March 2026 an article titled "Sudan" by Michael DeAngelo, Liam Karr, and Elliot Nazar.
Sudan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation claimed that Ethiopia is allowing the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces to launch attack drones from Asosa airport in western Ethiopia against Sudan Armed Forces (SAF)-controlled territory in Sudan. Ethiopia has denied the charge.
If true, this situation could quickly get out of control and result in SAF retaliatory attacks against Ethiopia and encourage closer SAF relations with the Tigray People's Liberation Front.
AEI's Critical Threats Africa File posted on 19 February 2026 an article titled "Sudan" by Michael DeAngelo and Elliot Nazar.
The Quad (United States, UAE, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia) peace proposal is stalled due in large part to the fact that the UAE supports the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Egypt and Saudi Arabia support the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF). Neither the RSF nor the SAF has fully committed to the Quad ceasefire proposal. Ethiopia's support for a new RSF military campaign in Sudan's neighboring Blue Nile state is further complicating any peace settlement.
Reuters published on 10 February 2026 a major report titled "Ethiopia Builds Secret Camp to Train RSF Fighters, Sources Say" by Giulia Paravicini and Reade Levinson.
The journalists report that Ethiopia is hosting a secret camp to train thousands of fighters for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group in neighboring Sudan. Located inside Ethiopia about 32 kilometers from the Sudan/South Sudan border, the camp had 4,300 RSF fighters undergoing military training as of early January. The recruits are mainly Ethiopian but also include nationals from Sudan and South Sudan, including from the SPLM-N militia that controls territory in Sudan's neighboring Blue Nile State.
Eight sources, including a senior Ethiopian government official, said the United Arab Emirates financed the camp's construction and provided military trainers and logistical support to the camp. Satellite imagery confirms existence of the camp and has also detected new drone operations in the vicinity. The camp constitutes the first direct evidence of Ethiopia's involvement in Sudan's civil war.
AEI's Critical Threats Africa File posted on 5 February 2026 an article titled "Sudan" by Michael DeAngelo and Elliot Nazar.
The current focus of fighting between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) is taking place in South Kordofan State. The SAF is also accusing Ethiopia of facilitating weapons shipments to and hosting RSF bases.
The AEI's Critical Threats Africa File posted on 8 January 2026 an article titled "Sudan" by Michael DeAngelo.
The article documents military advances by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the SPLM-N in Kordofan region of Sudan. Both the RSF and the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) routinely use drones in the conflict. The RSF appears focused on an effort to take the key city of El Obeid from the SAF.
AEI's Critical Threats Africa File posted on 11 December 2025 an article titled "Sudan" by Michael DeAngelo.
The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces' capture of the Heglig oil field in South Sudan has intensified the Sudan crisis and brought South Sudan to the brink of war.
Deutsche Welle posted on 27 July 2025 an article titled "Sudan: RSF Forms Rival Government, Deepening Fissure" by Shakeel Sobhan.
The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) announced on 26 July the formation of a rival civilian-led government in the RSF-controlled city of Nyala in South Darfur. RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo is the president. The head of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North is the vice president.
This splits Sudan with the Sudan Armed Forces controlling the north, east, and center of the country and the RSF controlling most of Darfur and parts of Kordofan in the west.
Reliefweb posted on 7 April 2025 an analysis titled "Two Years On, Sudan's War Is Spreading."
This is a good, balanced summary of the current military situation on the ground in Sudan and suggestions for moving the warring parties towards peace.
The International Crisis Group published on 7 April 2025 an analysis titled "Two Years On, Sudan's War Is Spreading."
Although the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) has made recent military gains in the Khartoum capital region, both the SAF and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces continue to receive ample outside support, which increases the prospect for escalation on the battlefield. Both sides are also building alliances with local militias, which tends to widen the conflict areas.
AEI's Critical Threats Africa File published on 20 March 2025 an article titled "RSF Attacks Spread to South Sudan" by Kathryn Tyson and John Reece.
There are indications that the civil war in Sudan is spilling over into South Sudan with the Rapid Support Forces supporting Salva Kiir's government and the Sudan Armed Forces backing South Sudan rebels.
The International Crisis Group published a statement dated 7 March 2025 titled "South Sudan on the Precipice of Renewed Full-blown War."
Tensions are rising quickly between the forces that support President Salva Kiir and those who back Vice President Riek Machar. The civil war raging in neighboring Sudan is contributing to the tension in South Sudan, where violence is likely to escalate. South Sudan could easily slip back into full scale conflict and ethnic bloodletting.
Reuters published on 14 June 2023 an article titled "Sudan's Western Cities Under Fire as War Spreads."
Fighting in Sudan, which has been concentrated in the Khartoum capital region, is spreading increasingly to western Sudan in Darfur and Kordofan and taking on ethnic characteristics.
African Arguments published on 12 October 2020 an analysis titled "The Obstacles to Sudan's Landmark Peace Deal" by Yaseen Mohmad Abdalla, journalist and researcher.
The government of Sudan recently signed in Juba a peace agreement with 3 armed groups: the Justice and Equality Movement, Sudan Liberation Movement, and Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North. Two other important armed groups refused to endorse the pact, which puts in question its ability to bring peace.
