The October 2026 edition of the IRMO Brief, authored by Raoul Nkassa and Ignace Lokouako, deals with the Sudanese civil war from its eruption in April 2023 till present day. Sudan’s civil war constitutes the most grievous political and humanitarian crisis in the country’s modern history. The ongoing confrontation between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has fragmented the country territorially, destroyed urban centers, and exacerbated regional insecurity. Sudan’s geopolitical significance stems from its location, natural resources, population size, and role in the regional security dynamics. Located at the intersection of the Horn of Africa, the Sahel, and North Africa, Sudan serves as a critical bridge between these regions. Its position between Ethiopia and Egypt places it at the heart of the ongoing dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). The authors also analyze how Sudan’s control over Red Sea access has made the country a focal point for the strategic ambitions of external actors such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Turkey, and China.
Sudan War: Historical Drivers, Conflict Dynamics, Foreign Influence and Regional Implications
