Introduction and Context
Sudan’s long history of conflict has been marked by ethnic and regional divides. From the war in Darfur to the more recent clashes in South Kordofan and Blue Nile, minority groups have borne the brunt of violence. Entire communities have been displaced, villages destroyed, and countless civilians subjected to atrocities.

Despite peace agreements and promises of reform, ethnic minorities continue to be targeted. In the current fighting between rival military factions, reports indicate that minority communities are once again caught in the crossfire, facing killings, forced displacement, and systematic abuse.

This article examines the roots of targeted violence, the experiences of ethnic minorities, and the broader implications for Sudan’s fragile stability.


Historical Roots of Ethnic Violence
Sudan’s conflicts are deeply tied to its ethnic composition. Successive governments, dominated by elites in the centre, have marginalised communities in the peripheries—particularly in Darfur, the Nuba Mountains, and Blue Nile. This marginalisation fostered grievances over political exclusion, unequal development, and discrimination.

In Darfur, the conflict that erupted in 2003 saw government-backed militias, known as the Janjaweed, unleash devastating campaigns against non-Arab groups. Villages were burned, women raped, and millions displaced. The International Criminal Court has since indicted leaders, including former president Omar al-Bashir, for crimes against humanity and genocide.

The same patterns of ethnic targeting persist today, demonstrating that Sudan has yet to reckon with the structural inequalities driving violence.


The Current Crisis and Ethnic Minorities
Since April 2023, Sudan has been engulfed in conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary with origins in the Janjaweed. Minority communities once again face disproportionate harm.

Reports from Darfur indicate that RSF fighters and allied militias have carried out attacks specifically targeting non-Arab groups such as the Masalit. Mass killings, sexual violence, and the destruction of villages echo the atrocities of two decades ago.

Elsewhere, in South Kordofan and Blue Nile, minorities who were already living under precarious conditions face renewed displacement as fighting spreads. Humanitarian access is severely restricted, leaving vulnerable populations without food, shelter, or medical care.


Humanitarian Consequences and Regional Implications
The violence against minorities has triggered waves of displacement. Millions of Sudanese have fled their homes, with many crossing into neighbouring Chad, South Sudan, and Ethiopia. Refugee camps are overwhelmed, and minority groups often face discrimination even in exile.

The humanitarian crisis is compounded by famine risk, collapsed healthcare systems, and restrictions on aid. Minority communities, already marginalised politically, now find themselves struggling for survival.

The regional implications are profound. Neighbouring states risk destabilisation as refugees pour across borders, while ethnic tensions within Sudan threaten to prolong and intensify the conflict. Without meaningful protection for minorities, peace will remain elusive.


Accountability, Protection, and Conclusion
The targeting of ethnic minorities in Sudan constitutes grave violations of international law, including possible war crimes and crimes against humanity. Yet impunity remains the norm, with perpetrators rarely held accountable.

Key steps are essential:
- Accountability: renew international efforts to investigate atrocities, including through the International Criminal Court.
- Protection: expand humanitarian corridors and prioritise the safety of minority communities in peace negotiations.
- Structural reform: address political and economic marginalisation by ensuring representation and rights for minorities.
- International solidarity: increase support for refugees and displaced persons, particularly in border regions.

Until Sudan confronts its legacy of ethnic violence and ensures genuine protections, minority communities will remain vulnerable. Their plight is not only a humanitarian tragedy but also a barrier to building a peaceful, inclusive Sudan.