The ongoing conflict in Sudan between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces is complex. It’s rooted in weak state institutions, ethnic diversity and historical grievances.
Since the war began in April 2023, tens of thousands of people have died and over 8.6 million have been displaced. This has created one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises.
Since April 2024, the Rapid Support Forces has been trying to take over El Fasher, the capital city of North Darfur. The city is the only Darfur capital controlled by the Sudanese army. The battle for El Fasher highlights the complex interplay of broader national tensions involving urban governance, ethnic identity and access to resources. We asked Ibrahim Z. Bahreldin, who has studied Sudan’s urban design and human settlement, to explain the importance of El Fasher in Sudan’s history and its future.
