Sudan’s military leadership has integrated Islamist extremist militias, once loyal to former president Omar Al Bashir’s regime, into its ranks. This move, confirmed by critics, suggests these militias are bolstering the army’s manpower and are invested in extending the conflict. Their ultimate goal, according to these same critics, is to achieve a political comeback for Islamists, who were ousted in the 2018-2019 uprising.
General Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, leading the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), has vowed to continue the war. He aims to eradicate the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) by the end of 2026. This objective, however, is considered overly ambitious by analysts, given the RSF’s deep entrenchment across western Sudan. Gen Al Burhan has consistently resisted mediation offers from regional and international powers, insisting on pursuing the war despite calls for an end to the conflict and the reinstallation of civilian rule. The RSF’s leader, Gen Mohamed Dagalo, appears more open to negotiations, though his willingness is widely suspected to be motivated by a desire to gain legitimacy.
Islamist Resurgence Fuels Conflict
The integration of Islamist extremist militias into the SAF raises serious concerns about the conflict's underlying ideological drivers. These groups, seeking a political return, are seen as having a vested interest in the war’s continuation. The SAF itself faces accusations of atrocities, including indiscriminate bombing and the use of chemical weapons. Both SAF and RSF commanders are already under international sanctions for alleged war crimes. The RSF has also been sanctioned for its own alleged war crimes, highlighting the brutal nature of both factions.
This war, now in its fourth year, has triggered one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. Approximately 14 million people have been displaced since hostilities erupted in Khartoum and spread nationwide. Pope Leo XIV recently called for an “immediate ceasefire” in Sudan, urging the international community to support such efforts. He also appealed for humanitarian corridors to aid civilians trapped in areas ravaged by fighting between the SAF and RSF.
Humanitarian Crisis Amidst Unrest
Pope Leo expressed deep concern over the “tragic situation in Sudan,” specifically mentioning the city of Al Obeid. He called for humanitarian corridors and conveyed his “spiritual closeness” to the Sudanese people. Access to essential food and healthcare is severely limited in Al Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan state. Last month, the UN’s human rights chief, Volker Turk, warned that a human rights catastrophe was unfolding as fighting intensified. The humanitarian suffering is a direct consequence of a conflict prolonged by factions with clear ideological agendas.
International Calls for Halt
The conflict began when differences between Gen Al Burhan and Gen Dagalo escalated into open warfare. The RSF maintains control over parts of the Kordofan and Blue Nile regions, in addition to Darfur. Meanwhile, the SAF controls the capital, along with northern, central, and eastern Sudan. Each side operates its own government, with the army-aligned administration based in Port Sudan on the Red Sea and the RSF’s in Nyala in Darfur. The international community’s focus on ceasefires, while necessary for humanitarian relief, risks overlooking the deeper Islamist currents that are actively prolonging this devastating civilizational struggle.