Reporting for 24x7 Breaking News. A beacon of hope, a Sudan Airways jet, touched down at Khartoum International Airport on February 1st, carrying 160 cheering passengers. This arrival marked only the second commercial flight to land in the war-torn capital since 2023, a stark yet promising sign in a nation ravaged by civil war and under constant threat of drone attacks. It comes as Sudan's prime minister declared 2026 the "year of peace" and the military-led government announced plans to return ministries to the devastated capital.

📋 Table of Contents▼

A Fragile Resurgence Amidst Devastation

While the sight of a commercial flight landing in Khartoum might suggest a turning point, the reality on the ground remains dire. Just weeks prior, the prime minister's optimistic declaration contrasted sharply with the ongoing destruction and displacement. Visiting Khartoum nearly a year ago, our correspondent navigated an airport still littered with unexploded munitions and toured passenger halls reduced to rubble. The city, once the vibrant heart of Sudan, has been an epicenter of a conflict that erupted in April, leaving its core a burnt-out shell.

The government, forced to relocate to the safer haven of Port Sudan on the Red Sea, has yet to fully reclaim its capital. Government ministries, banks, and towering office blocks stand as blackened monuments to the intense fighting. Even the presidential palace, a symbol of national sovereignty, remains too damaged for use, its walls bearing the scars of war. The British embassy, too, tells a story of fierce firefights, its bullet-proof glass pockmarked and its rooms looted.

The Abyss of Unfathomable Proportions

This conflict has plunged Sudan into what the United Nations describes as "an abyss of unfathomable proportions." The scale of destruction is matched only by the human cost: widespread famine, systematic human rights violations, and an exodus of millions. In October, following the fall of el-Fasher in the Darfur region to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), harrowing accounts emerged from displacement camps. Survivors recounted mass killings and sexual violence, a grim testament to the RSF's brutal advance, which triggered an international outcry.

Yet, despite global condemnation and expressions of horror, meaningful intervention has remained elusive. The world's attention has increasingly been drawn to other escalating conflicts, leaving Sudan's suffering largely in the shadows. As the conflict nears its third anniversary, the return of commercial flights offers a glimmer of normality, but the underlying causes of the war remain unaddressed. This begs the question: what will it take to compel both sides to lay down their arms?

A Legacy of Conflict, Amplified

Sudan's history is unfortunately punctuated by conflict. Since gaining independence from British colonial rule in 1956, the nation has spent 58 out of 70 years at war. However, previous conflicts were largely confined to the country's periphery. The current war is different; it has torn through the nation's core, uprooting unprecedented numbers of people, deepening societal divisions, and threatening the very fabric of the state.

The roots of this war lie in a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF. The RSF, initially empowered by former military ruler Omar al-Bashir, became a formidable force loyal to him. Following Bashir's ousting in 2019 amidst widespread protests, tensions between the RSF, led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), and the SAF, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, escalated dramatically.

Initially, some analysts viewed the conflict as an internal "war within the security state." However, both factions have since broadened their support bases, framing the conflict through the lens of long-standing grievances. These grievances are deeply intertwined with Sudan's history of cronyism and kleptocracy, where the military has long exerted significant control over the nation's economy. Hemedti, a former camel trader who amassed considerable wealth as head of the RSF, strategically positioned himself as a champion for marginalized regions, particularly his native Darfur.

The Economic War and External Interests

The control of economic resources is central to the ongoing conflict. Both the SAF and the RSF are deeply embedded in Sudan's economy, controlling vast swathes of industry and trade. This economic entanglement creates powerful incentives for each side to continue fighting, as losing the war could mean losing control over lucrative assets. The protracted conflict in Sudan echoes the economic strains seen in other nations grappling with internal conflict and external pressures. For instance, the ongoing global focus on resource security and the impact of geopolitical events, such as those impacting Iran's weapons stockpiles, highlight how economic factors profoundly shape the trajectory of warfare.

Furthermore, the war has significant implications for regional stability. The flow of refugees, the potential for spillover violence, and the involvement of external actors seeking to protect their interests all contribute to the complexity of the situation. The displacement crisis in Sudan, with over 12 million people forced to flee their homes, is one of the largest in the world. This humanitarian catastrophe strains resources not only within Sudan but also in neighboring countries, creating a ripple effect that impacts global aid organizations and international relations. This scale of displacement and its associated challenges are reminiscent of crises where political instability and conflict have led to mass migrations, such as the ongoing situation in Venezuela, where families have found extraordinary ways to maintain contact despite being separated by prison walls.

The international community's response has been largely insufficient, marked by condemnations rather than decisive action. While diplomatic efforts continue, they have yet to yield a sustainable ceasefire or a clear path towards peace. The world's attention, often diverted by other pressing global crises, has not translated into the sustained pressure needed to end the violence in Sudan. This lack of concerted international will leaves the Sudanese people bearing the brunt of a conflict that seems designed to continue indefinitely, fueled by internal power struggles and economic interests.

The strategic implications of the conflict are also significant. Control over key infrastructure, vital trade routes, and natural resources are all factors that prolong the fighting. The RSF's control over gold mines, for example, provides a significant source of revenue that can fund their war effort. Similarly, the SAF's access to state resources ensures they can sustain their military operations. This intricate web of economic and strategic interests creates a formidable barrier to any potential peace settlement, as neither side appears willing to relinquish its perceived advantages.

As the conflict grinds on, the human toll continues to mount. Families are torn apart, livelihoods are destroyed, and a generation faces an uncertain future. The resilience of the Sudanese people is remarkable, but their capacity to endure such prolonged suffering is not limitless. The return of commercial flights is a small step, but the path to lasting peace in Sudan is fraught with immense challenges, demanding a more robust and unified international commitment.

Given the deep-seated economic interests and historical grievances fueling this conflict, is peace in Sudan truly achievable without a fundamental restructuring of the nation's power and economic systems?