Editorial 1: ​​​​In free fall

Context

Sudan’s path back to democracy seems increasingly uncertain.

Introduction

Sudan’s civil war has reached a horrifying peak with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) committing mass atrocities in El-Fasher, Darfur. Emerging from the infamous Janjaweed militia, the RSF’s actions—rape, killings, and famine-inducing blockades—reflect the deepening collapse of the state. Once a beacon of hope after Omar al-Bashir’s fall, Sudan now faces a catastrophic humanitarian crisis.

Sudan’s Escalating Conflict: The El-Fasher Atrocities

• Sudan has a long history of violence by paramilitary groups, especially in Darfur.
• The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a successor of the Janjaweed militia, carried out mass killings, rape, and looting in El-Fasher, Darfur’s capital, in late October 2025.
• These acts shocked observers even by Sudan’s grim standards.

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF): Origins and Atrocities

Recent Developments

• El-Fasher Siege: RSF besieged the city for 18 months, triggering a humanitarian disaster.
• War Crimes: Massacres, including one at a maternity hospital; footage shared on social media.
• Displacement: Over 12 million displaced, tens of thousands killed since civil war began in April 2023.
• UN Assessment: Sudan now faces the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.

Collapse of Political Transition

Role of Omar al-Bashir

• Created the RSF from Janjaweed ranks as a personal army.
• Used it to crush opposition and act as a parallel power structure to the military.
• RSF later turned against him when his rule faltered in 2019.

Current Power Dynamics

Recent Territorial Shifts

• The army recaptured Khartoum earlier in 2025.
• However, the fall of El-Fasher reaffirms RSF’s entrenched power in Darfur.

Implications and Global Concern

• Continued fighting risks:
  • Mass starvation and displacement
  • Total state collapse
  • Regional destabilization across the Horn of Africa
• International community must act urgently — the El-Fasher atrocities are a wake-up call.
• Both military and RSF backers should:
  • Cease arms supply
  • Press for peace talks and humanitarian aid access.

Conclusion
Sudan stands on the brink of humanitarian and political collapse. The Rapid Support Forces’ brutality in El-Fasher exemplifies unchecked impunity and global indifference. To avert further tragedy, international pressure must shift from arming factions to enforcing dialogue and accountability. Peace in Sudan now hinges on collective diplomatic resolve rather than continued militarization.