More than nine million people remain internally displaced in Sudan, even as approximately 3.8 million have begun returning to their homes, according to United Nations agencies. The simultaneous movements of displacement and return are unfolding across a fragmented landscape, with ongoing flight reported in Darfur, Kordofan, and Blue Nile states, while returns are concentrated in Gedaref, Khartoum, and River Nile states.
International Organisation for Migration spokesperson Omondi Okoth described the situation as one of the most complex humanitarian emergencies globally. At the height of the violence, internal displacement exceeded 12 million. The crisis stems from armed conflict that erupted on April 15, 2023, between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, alongside other armed factions.
The violence has driven substantial cross-border migration. South Sudan and Chad have absorbed the largest influxes, recording more than 1.3 million and 1.2 million arrivals respectively. A significant proportion of these arrivals are returning nationals, with over 900,000 crossing into South Sudan and nearly 389,000 entering Chad. Many arrive with minimal resources or established support networks, intensifying pressure on host communities already managing limited public services.
Political tensions surrounding the conflict have also drawn regional scrutiny. Minni Arkou Minnawi, governor of Sudan’s Darfur region, recently accused the United Arab Emirates of providing support to the Rapid Support Forces. Speaking to foreign correspondents in Geneva, Minnawi alleged that external backing aims to undermine Sudan’s territorial integrity and foster a parallel administration in Darfur. When asked whether broader regional tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran might affect Sudan, Minnawi declined to speculate, emphasizing that the UAE’s role in the conflict remains the immediate focus.
Humanitarian agencies continue to monitor shifting displacement patterns as access to affected populations remains constrained. Coordinated international assistance and sustained diplomatic engagement will be critical to addressing both immediate relief needs and long-term stabilization efforts across the region.
