Human Rights in Sudan: Analytical Report 2025-2026

Last updated: 5 October 2026

Photo: Sudan - Nina R

Sudan human rights in 2025-2026 are dominated by the catastrophic war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that began on 15 April 2023. The conflict has produced one of the largest displacement crises in the world: approximately 8 million Sudanese internally displaced and 3 million in neighbouring countries. Furthermore, the United States declared in January 2025 that the RSF and allied militias have committed genocide in Darfur. UN agencies warn of widespread famine. Mass sexual violence has been documented. Communications and humanitarian access remain severely restricted. This analytical report covers the human rights situation in Sudan in 2025-2026.[1]

For wider context, see the country reports section.

The April 2023 War

The current Sudanese conflict began on 15 April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo ("Hemedti"). The conflict followed the failure of the planned political transition after the 2019 popular revolution that overthrew Omar al-Bashir. Furthermore, both forces were the parties to the October 2021 coup that derailed civilian-led transition. Therefore, neither party represents the popular democratic movement that overthrew Bashir.[2]

Darfur: US Genocide Determination

On 7 January 2025, the US Department of State formally determined that the RSF and allied militias have committed genocide in Darfur. The determination focused on the RSF's targeting of the Masalit and other non-Arab ethnic groups in West Darfur. Furthermore, the determination cites mass killings (including in El Geneina in 2023), systematic sexual violence, forced displacement, and ethnic-based detention.[3]

Documented patterns

• El Geneina 2023: Mass killings of Masalit civilians.
• Systematic sexual violence: Documented use of rape as a method of warfare.
• Ethnic-based attacks: Targeting based on Masalit, Fur, and Zaghawa identity.
• Forced displacement: Whole communities forced into Chad and other neighbouring areas.
• Property and identification destruction: Removing evidence of ethnic identity.
• Mass detention: Detention based on ethnic identity.

Khartoum and Central Sudan

The conflict in Khartoum (the capital), Omdurman, and Khartoum North has produced sustained urban warfare. SAF and RSF forces have controlled different parts of the metropolitan area at different times. Furthermore, civilian neighbourhoods have been used as battlefields. RSF forces have been documented occupying civilian residences, looting, and committing sexual violence. SAF aerial bombardment has caused civilian casualties.[4]

Famine and Humanitarian Crisis

UN agencies and the IPC (Integrated Food Security Phase Classification) system have determined that famine conditions exist in parts of Sudan. The El Fasher area, parts of South Kordofan and Blue Nile states, and several other regions have been classified as Phase 5 (famine). Furthermore, the IPC's August 2024 declaration was the first formal famine declaration in Sudan since 2017. Estimates suggest 25 million Sudanese are in need of humanitarian assistance.[5]

Sexual Violence as a Method of Warfare

UN HRC, UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, and human rights NGOs have documented widespread sexual violence in the Sudanese conflict. RSF forces have been documented as primary perpetrators in many areas. Furthermore, ethnic targeting of sexual violence has been documented in Darfur. Survivor support has been minimal due to the collapse of healthcare and protection infrastructure.[6]

The conflict in Sudan has generated systematic patterns of grave human rights violations including ethnic targeting, mass sexual violence, and the use of starvation as a method of warfare. The genocide determination in Darfur reflects findings consistent with international legal definitions.
UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Briefing on Sudan (2024)

Press Freedom and Civil Society

Sudan ranks 156th in the 2025 RSF Press Freedom Index. Most independent media has been forced to close or operate from exile. Journalists who remain face detention, attack, and forced displacement. Furthermore, civil society activists who emerged during the 2019 revolution face severe targeting from both SAF and RSF.[7]

Vulnerable Groups

Ethnic non-Arab Darfuris

Masalit, Fur, Zaghawa, and other non-Arab ethnic groups in Darfur face the most severe targeting. The US genocide determination focuses on these communities. Furthermore, ethnic identity documents (where remaining) have been used to identify targets at checkpoints.

Women and girls

Women and girls face widespread sexual violence. Furthermore, the collapse of state services has eliminated safe spaces, healthcare, and protection mechanisms. Female-headed households face additional vulnerability in displacement contexts.

Children

UNICEF estimates over 14 million Sudanese children require humanitarian assistance. Schools have been destroyed or closed. Child recruitment by armed groups has been documented. Furthermore, malnutrition rates among children are critical in famine-affected areas.

Persons with disabilities

Persons with disabilities face severe vulnerability. Many have been unable to evacuate; some have died in attacks on residential institutions. War-related disability has produced a significant new disabled population.

Displacement

Sudan's war has produced one of the world's largest displacement crises. Approximately 8 million IDPs inside Sudan. Approximately 3 million Sudanese refugees in neighbouring countries — Chad, South Sudan, Egypt, Ethiopia, Central African Republic, Libya. Furthermore, conditions in Chad and South Sudan refugee settings are particularly dire due to limited host country capacity.[8]

Asylum Implications

Sudanese asylum claims engage several distinct profile categories.[9]

Conclusion

Sudan human rights in 2025-2026 reflect catastrophic conflict, genocide in Darfur, mass displacement, famine, and widespread sexual violence. Furthermore, the post-revolution civilian transition has been derailed; neither warring party represents democratic forces. Therefore, asylum claims by Sudanese face strong evidential foundations under multiple Convention grounds. To commission a Sudan expert report, use the find expert witness service. For broader context, see the country reports section.