By HAN News Desk
KHARTOUM — Fighting in Sudan continues to draw growing regional and international attention as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) face mounting setbacks in their conflict with the Sudanese army, fueling fears of wider instability across the Horn of Africa.
The RSF, a powerful paramilitary force, has reportedly suffered significant losses in recent clashes in and around key urban centers, including Khartoum and parts of central and western Sudan. Military analysts say the Sudanese army has regained control of several strategic locations after months of intense street fighting and shifting front lines.
International observers and human rights organizations have repeatedly accused the RSF of widespread abuses, including attacks on civilians, looting of homes and markets, and sexual violence. The group has denied the allegations, but the accusations have intensified international pressure for accountability and renewed calls for investigations into potential war crimes.
The conflict erupted in April 2023 following a power struggle between Sudan’s top military leaders, abruptly ending a fragile transition toward civilian rule. Since then, the fighting has displaced millions of people, destroyed critical infrastructure and pushed large parts of the population into acute food insecurity, creating one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
Neighboring countries — including Chad, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Somalia — have been affected by the conflict through refugee flows, border insecurity and disruptions to trade routes. Aid agencies warn that the scale of displacement is straining already fragile regional systems.
Allegations of external support for the RSF, including claims involving regional actors, have circulated widely. While those allegations remain disputed and unverified, analysts say the perception of foreign involvement has added a geopolitical dimension to the conflict, heightening tensions across the region.
Security experts warn that continued instability in Sudan could facilitate the spread of weapons, cross-border militancy and organized criminal networks, further destabilizing the Horn of Africa, which already faces threats from terrorism, political fragility and climate-related disasters.
Regional analysts say the conflict underscores the urgent need for coordinated diplomatic efforts to halt the fighting and address the humanitarian emergency, warning that prolonged violence could have lasting consequences for regional peace and security.
