Independent Thinking: Sudan – the internal and external forces tearing it apart

Experts Analyze Sudan’s War

Leading analysts assess the human impact of Sudan’s conflict and explore how regional players and their proxies play central roles in the war, as they seek control of the country’s land, resources, and strategic waterways.

The Human Consequences of Conflict

Following the capture of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), accounts from humanitarian groups and survivors indicate widespread violence, including civilian casualties in public spaces.

Regional and International Dynamics

The ongoing violence is heavily influenced by competing interests from neighboring and global actors who covet Sudan’s abundant gold, fertile land, and access to major maritime routes such as the Red Sea and Nile River.

“Sudan’s location near the Red Sea, a vital maritime corridor, further intensifies its strategic significance, with discussions around Russian naval bases adding to the regional tensions.”

These dynamics are evidenced by external powers supporting various factions to secure their influence and resource access, fueling instability and conflict continuation.

Competing for Resources

The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and RSF are in a fierce contest over the nation’s mineral wealth, particularly gold, as well as fertile agricultural lands and water supplies.
Such competition for economic assets is a primary factor in the violence, with gold mining and trade funding opposing sides.
Foreign actors, including Russia, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, and the United States, are actively involved, seeking to align with factions that further their geopolitical and economic interests.

Exacerbated Humanitarian Crisis

The destruction of infrastructure, especially water systems, has dire consequences for civilians — restricting access to clean water, driving disease outbreaks, and prompting mass displacement.

“The collapse of water systems has triggered cholera outbreaks, famine conditions, and mass displacement, exacerbating already dire public health crises.”

Such weaponization of basic resources compounds the hardships faced by Sudan’s population, undermining any prospects for peace or recovery.

Podcast Perspectives

Chatham House’s podcast investigates these themes with insights from leading scholars and practitioners, including Ahmed Soliman, Hubert Kinkoh, Kholood Khair, and Bashair Ahmed.
The discussions trace how external meddling and resource struggles shape the war’s course and hinder effective political solutions.

Key Report Reference

A Chatham House report, Gold and the war in Sudan, examines how competition for gold resources by the main warring parties drives conflict and deepens divisions.

Author’s Resume

Sudan’s war is shaped by internal factions’ fight for resources and external powers’ interventions, tragically worsening humanitarian suffering and complicating efforts toward peace.

Chatham House — 2025-11-21