Policy paper “The Sudanese Civil War and the Rising Influence of Middle Eastern Powers”
Date of publication: May 12, 2025
Research intern Richard Klauber from the Prague Center for Middle Eastern Relations (PCMR) of CEVRO University published a policy paper entitled “The Sudanese Civil War and the Rising Influence of Middle Eastern Powers”.
The paper describes the ongoing conflict in Sudan, specifically between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (known as “Hemedti”). The war, which began in April 2023, has claimed tens of thousands of casualties, more than 14.5 million displaced people, and approximately 3 million foreign refugees. In addition to large-scale emigration, the conflict has caused a food crisis, with more than 30 million people facing famine as of May 2025.
Hemedti and his RSF are now gaining territory in the area south of the capital Khartoum and in the east of the country in the Darfur region. The SAF, on the other hand, now control the main infrastructure, have recaptured the capital Khartoum and dominate cities such as Port Sudan, Al-Obeid and Al-Fasher. The entire conflict is prolonged mainly by the continued support of the SAF by Iran, Russia, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and others. In contrast, the RSF are supported by the United Arab Emirates, France and the Wagner Group.
You can read about the current stage of the conflict, as well as future scenarios in the attached text.
We wish you a pleasant reading.