By Lauren Sedemeester
25/04/2025
In the wake of the second anniversary of the outbreak of Sudan’s civil war, news broke of intense fighting in its conflict-ridden Darfur region. The attacks were launched by the paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), on Zamzam and Abu Shouk Camps, as well as the regional capital. The camps provide temporary homes to more than 700,000 people who have fled Sudan’s civil war. Initially, it was reported that more than 100 civilians—among them at least 20 children and a medical team—had been killed in a series of attacks that began over a week ago, but the death toll is likely far higher. The attack on Zamzam is seen by the UN as another deadly and unacceptable escalation in a series of brutal attacks on displaced people and aid workers.
Tensions that Sparked War
Sudan has a long history of coups, conflicts, and authoritarian rule. In 2019, Sudanese civilian protesters pushed the military to remove long-time dictator Omar al-Bashir from power after three decades of rule. A joint military-civilian government was set up with plans to transition to democracy. But in October 2021, the military—led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo (also known as Hemedti) of the RSF—staged a coup, derailing the democratic transition.
Tensions grew between Burhan and Hemedti over matters such as the integration of the RSF into the army, who would lead the unified military, and its timeline and terms. Their power struggle turned violent, and civil war broke out on 15 April 2023, as clashes erupted in the capital, Khartoum, and spread to other regions.
A Nation in Ruin
The war has had devastating humanitarian consequences, creating the world’s largest humanitarian and displacement crisis. Over 150,000 lives have been lost, and nearly 14 million displaced—11 million within Sudan and almost 4 million who have fled across borders into seven neighbouring countries also facing hunger and in need of aid.
The Sudanese people have endured human rights abuses, including genocide in Darfur, looting, sexual violence, and massacres. While both sides have been accused of gross human rights violations and war crimes against civilians, the United States formally declared that the RSF has committed genocide and mass rape against ethnic Masalit and non-Arab communities in Darfur. UNICEF assesses that the number of people at risk of gender-based violence has tripled to 12.1 million since the war began.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), about 20.3 million people urgently need health assistance, as malaria, dengue, measles, and cholera are widespread. Both sides have attacked hospitals with airstrikes and artillery while patients were still inside. Most hospitals no longer function, and about 19 million children are out of school.
As if this were not enough to cripple a nation, Sudan also faces severe shortages of food, water, and medicine. It is experiencing the “world’s largest hunger crisis in recent history”. The famine, first confirmed in Zamzam Camp in August 2024, has spread, with 24.6 million people now facing acute hunger. Sudan is currently the only country with a declared famine, and the World Food Program (WFP) receives daily reports that the famine is leading to increased mortality.
The UN warns that tens of thousands more could die in the war’s third year unless humanitarian agencies gain access and resources to reach those in need. With access restricted, the WFP has been transferring cash digitally into bank accounts so people can buy food and essentials—but only where markets still function.
The World Watches On
As Sudan’s civil war enters its third year, inadequate funding from international donors suggests the country’s appeal for help has largely been overlooked. An estimated $4.2 billion is needed to tackle famine, displacement, disease, and essential services, yet only 10% has been secured.
Various foreign-led efforts to broker negotiations between the army and RSF have been ineffective. Early in the conflict, the United States and Saudi Arabia facilitated the Jeddah Talks (May–June 2023), aimed at creating humanitarian corridors and de-escalate hostilities. However, these were suspended due to repeated violations and a lack of commitment from both parties.
In August 2024, the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland invited both factions to new ceasefire talks. While the RSF agreed to attend, the SAF declined, expressing dissatisfaction with the format.
The most recent international attempt, held in London and co-chaired by the African Union, European Union, United Kingdom, France, and Germany, sought to unify global efforts and coherence regarding Sudan’s future. Yet it failed to produce a diplomatic breakthrough or peace initiative, as no representative from the warring parties attended.
Many Sudanese had hoped that international engagement would lead to a long-overdue peace agreement. However, the ongoing power struggle between the factions has rendered these efforts futile. According to a friend of INcontext with strong ties to Sudan, the factions are not interested in peace but power. They seek only a peace that secures their control, as losing would mean losing everything.
Divisions among international actors have further complicated the conflict. The UAE is accused of arming the RSF, while Egypt continues to support the army—highlighting the complexities of foreign influence.
Our friend adds that international efforts often overlook Sudan’s rich ethnic diversity—with more than 500 ethnic groups—and impose one-size-fits-all solutions that cause more harm than good. There is also insufficient pressure on the warring parties to stop the conflict.
What Lies Ahead?
Should the conflict persist, the suffering of the Sudanese people appears relentless and unending, as the country endures a humanitarian catastrophe. With a population of 50 million facing acute hunger and growing regional destabilisation, this crisis threatens to become one of history’s most devastating and unforgettable disasters.
According to our friend, it is difficult to draw the world’s attention, as global interest lies elsewhere. Although Sudan is facing the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, it remains largely overlooked by the international community.
A Faithful Remnant
With only 2.3% of the population adhering to Christianity, the Sudanese Church is small yet present. Despite intense suffering, trauma, starvation, and hardship, faith leaders in the Sudanese Church faithfully continue to serve their communities with resilience—offering hope, love, and joy as a powerful witness to Christ’s unconditional love, even while bearing their own emotional and spiritual burdens.
But they cannot endure alone. These leaders and their communities face practical needs, deep emotional wounds, and spiritual burdens. As the global Church, we are called to stand with them—not only in prayer, but through meaningful connection, active support, and tangible assistance, including financial aid for both urgent relief and long-term sustainability.
Our friend in the field offers a glimmer of hope: even in this dark hour, God is at work. People from tribes once far from the Gospel are coming to faith. Remarkable ministries growing within Sudan and among the diaspora, but urgent support is needed for young leaders who will help shape the Church’s future in a post-war Sudan.
The international Church has a vital role: to raise awareness of the war and advocate for Sudan’s Christians through media, churches, and public discourse. This is not a one-time effort but a long-term commitment.
Our friend believes Sudan will, in time, begin to rebuild. When that moment comes, the Church must have a seat at the table—contributing to constitution-drafting, education, the protection of minority rights, and the shaping of laws and governance. Without its voice, a crucial opportunity for influence could be lost.
Now is the time for leaders—both within and beyond Sudan—to step into the gap. But they need consistent, strategic support from the wider body of Christ to carry out this urgent, nation-shaping work.
We, as the body of Christ, have a golden opportunity to be a support to the Sudanese Church—to hold up its arms, as Aaron and Hur did for Moses during the battle against the Amalekites (Exodus 17:10-13). Let us lift their arms in prayer, remembering: “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we trust the name of the Lord our God” (Psalm 20:7, ESV). Though the situation is dire, Scripture reminds us that our trust is not in earthly resources, but in the Lord.
INcontext stands alongside brothers and sisters in Christ in Sudan during these challenging times. If you feel led to support them—whether through prayer, connection, or practical assistance—we invite you to reach out to us. Together, we can lift their arms and remind them that they are not alone.
Please join us in prayer:
- Pray that those in positions of power and influence will use their authority to bring about an immediate end to the violence and establish a lasting peace agreement between the warring factions.
- Pray for faith leaders and believers in Sudan as they serve amid hardship. Ask the Lord to renew their strength, meet their needs, and use them powerfully as a source of hope and love in their communities.
- Pray for humanitarian access to deliver urgently needed aid. Intercede for the millions facing hunger, disease, and displacement, that provision would come swiftly and abundantly.
- Pray that the global Church or global Body of Christ would not forget Sudan’s crisis but respond with urgency, compassion, and support.
Sources
https://joshuaproject.net/countries/SU
https://minorityrights.org/country/sudan/
https://reliefweb.int/report/sudan/sudan-humanitarian-update-march-2025
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg41r3w0e19o
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly57p6d9ezo
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-59035053
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/15/sudans-two-years-of-war-and-its-devastating-toll
