Sudan's conflict, explained
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Published 2023-05-26
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On December 19, 2018, protests broke out in small cities throughout Sudan amid an economic crisis, eventually reaching the country's capital, Khartoum. These protests posed the biggest challenge to Sudan's longest-serving dictator, Omar al-Bashir, who throughout his regime did everything he could to remain in power. Bashir relied on various security sectors to protect him from being overthrown. However, his plan ultimately failed on April 11, 2019, when the country's army, the Sudanese Armed Forces, and a paramilitary force, the Rapid Support Forces, sided with the protesters and carried out a military coup, toppling Bashir.
The end of Bashir's regime brought hope to the protesters, but they remained skeptical about the men who had overthrown him. SAF’s Abdel Fattah Burhan and RSF’s Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (aka Hemeti) took control of the country after the coup and made repeated promises to hand over power to civilians, which would put Sudan on a democratic path. But they continuously delayed fulfilling their promises and instead turned against each other, vying for power in Sudan. The two men have brutally interrupted Sudan’s pro-democracy revolution.
The fighting between the two men's forces started out in Sudan's capital, Khartoum, and spread all over the country. Recent ceasefire breakdowns have led to more bursts of violence, especially in Darfur, a region still reeling from the aftermath of a genocide at the hands of Bashir's regime.
Watch the latest episode of Atlas to understand how their feud has undermined the democratic aspirations of the protesters and put Sudan at risk of a civil war.
Note: The headline has been updated.
Previous headline: The two men who derailed Sudan’s revolution
Sources and additional reading:
This Q&A by the New Yorker featuring Mai Hassan helped us understand Omar al-Bashir’s coup-proofing agenda -
www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a/the-failed-coup-pro…
This article by Mat Nashed was a great starting point for us to learn more about the recent conflict-
newlinesmag.com/reportage/in-sudan-a-deadly-reckon…
Local reporting by Radio Dabanga kept us up-to-date with the day to day of the conflict -
www.dabangasudan.org/en
This paper by Global Witness provided us with information on how the RSF became wealthy
www.globalwitness.org/en/campaigns/conflict-minera…
We found the International Crisis Group’s in depth reporting analyses and commentary very useful throughout our reporting and research -
www.crisisgroup.org/africa/horn-africa/sudan
Keeping up with Ism’ail Kushkush’s and Yousra Elbagir’s reporting throughout the revolution helped us understand the lead up towards Burhan’s and Hemeti’s rivalry -
sites.google.com/view/ikushkush/portfolio
www.channel4.com/news/by/yousra-elbagir
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All Comments (21)
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This is best explainer I have watched on this Sudan crisis. Africa my continent plagued by unnecessary wars by men with fragile egos.
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As a Sudanese citizen I'm actually surprised i never expected to find such a short yet detailed report i Salute you and i hope this war comes to a close as soon as possible
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Sudanese people : You have freed us! Burhan and Hemeti : Oh I wouldn’t say “freed” more like “under new management”
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As a Sudanese who lived in Khartoum and having to wake up expecting it to be a normal day but instead waking up to gun fire and having to flee it’s soo saddening and allhamidullah I’m safe right now in England but my brother is in Halfa ( the closest Sudanese city to Egyptian border) trying to cross the border and it’s been almost 3 weeks since he’s been there…. All I’m asking is for is prayers
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Awesome explanation Rajaa and team! Such good reporting
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Sudan cant catch a break bro
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As a Pakistani watching this video, i do feel for the people of Sudan because almost the same thing is happening in our country. Only difference is our army is united in making sure the civilians stay quiet. They have managed to create a system who runs the state and even control the narratives. They let you criticise them but draw a circle around it so nobody should talk the heinous crimes they are doing.
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Its a shame that the rest of the world is relatively unaware of this significant conflict. May Sudan one day be free from the rule of tyrants and be truly run by the people again.
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My co-worker, a lovely gentleman from Sudan, has a family back in his home country. He is worried sick about them; now knowing the superficial story behind the country's conflict, my sympathy for him and his people deepens. I hope that circumstances improve in Sudan and that the people get safety and stability.
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I was trying to do research on this situation - an assignment asked me to write the current head of state of Sudan - and couldn't make heads or tails of it, so this video helped sum it up nicely. Two powerful men toppling hope for democracy - it's horrid.
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Hey everyone! Thank you so much for watching this episode of Atlas on Sudan’s conflict. This video is just a start to understanding what’s going on. We didn’t go deeper into the wars in Darfur and South Sudan, but if you’d like to learn more I recommend the two books below: 1. Darfur: A New History of a Long War www.bloomsburycollections.com/book/darfur-a-new-hi… 2. First Raise a Flag: How South Sudan Won the Longest War but Lost the Peace www.amazon.com/First-Raise-Flag-South-Longest/dp/0… —Rajaa
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thanx, From Sudan, for highlighting our story. We Shall overcome✌✌✌
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I can't believe that no one thought putting Burhan and Hemeti in the administrative roles for the TC was a bad idea. How did anyone think that two men vying for power being placed in powerful roles wouldn't backfire later?
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I am currently doing my assignment about Sudan conflict, this vt is the best explanation I need. Thank You Very Much <3
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This is so so so well done! Thank you Vox for the detailed explanations and for the amazing graphics.
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Excellent summary. Thank you
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A well-researched video with compelling visuals — great job! The coup-proofing analysis is a helpful historical/political context.
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It's just sad how all these revolutions ultimately fail even when they succeed
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Thank you for this!🎉
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Thank you for this!
