Sudan's civil war: Civilians bear the brunt as aid networks struggle to survive

Lead

Three years after the outbreak of civil war in Sudan, the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces has left tens of thousands dead and pushed the country into a humanitarian catastrophe, according to reports from France 24. While the world's attention has largely shifted elsewhere, those on the ground describe a systematic war on civilians, where survival itself has become a matter of chance.

Coverage Comparison

Two recent France 24 segments — one marking the war's third anniversary on April 15, 2026, and another aired the following day — paint a grim picture of life in Sudan. Both reports emphasize the devastating human toll and the collapse of basic services, but they approach the story from slightly different angles.

The anniversary piece, framed as a "Perspective" segment, focuses on the staggering scale of death and the extraordinary resilience of Sudanese communities. An unnamed aid worker from one of the main NGOs still operating in Sudan told France 24 about the starvation facing the population and "the incredible way the Sudanese come together to try to help each other"

The April 16 segment takes a more analytical approach, featuring Dallia Abdelmoniem, a political and media analyst on African and Middle Eastern affairs. Abdelmoniem describes Sudan as "a war-torn nation unraveling in real time," asserting that this is not merely a conflict between rival armed factions but "a systematic war on civilians." She also highlights the "quiet resilience of grassroots networks" — ordinary Sudanese who have stepped in where institutions have failed.

Neither report provides a comprehensive casualty figure, and the claim of "tens of thousands" killed — cited in the anniversary piece — is a conservative estimate compared to some international assessments. The reports also differ slightly in emphasis: one stresses the role of volunteers and local networks, while the other frames the crisis as both "forgotten and ignored" by the international community.

Key Claims

• Mass casualties: The war in Sudan has killed tens of thousands of people, according to a France 24 report marking the third anniversary of the conflict. The figure is described as a conservative estimate, and the true death toll may be significantly higher.

• Systematic war on civilians: Political analyst Dallia Abdelmoniem told France 24 that the conflict is not just a power struggle between rival armed factions but "a systematic war on civilians, where survival itself has become an act of chance." This claim, while powerful, is an analytical assessment rather than a documented finding.

• Collapse of services: Both reports emphasize the breakdown of education and healthcare in Sudan, with Abdelmoniem specifically citing these as casualties of the ongoing crisis. A Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) report cited by France 24 also documents the severe food shortages facing the population.

• Food insecurity: According to the NRC report, the limited food that people in Sudan manage to obtain "has crossed at least one or more battlefields." The meals are only possible thanks to farmers, suppliers, traders, and volunteers who risk their lives and safety to feed themselves and others.

• Grassroots resilience: Both France 24 segments highlight how Sudanese communities are coming together to support one another in the absence of functioning institutions. Abdelmoniem praised the "quiet resilience" of grassroots networks, while the anniversary report described aid workers and volunteers as risking their lives to provide assistance.

Perspectives

The two France 24 reports offer complementary but distinct perspectives on the crisis. The anniversary segment, which draws on an aid worker's testimony and NGO data, focuses on the immediate humanitarian catastrophe — starvation, displacement, and the life-saving work of local volunteers. This perspective is grounded in on-the-ground experiences and international humanitarian reporting.

The analyst-led segment takes a broader view, framing the conflict as a systematic assault on civilians and accusing the international community of ignoring the crisis. Abdelmoniem's language is more critical and alarmist, using terms like "war-torn" and "forgotten" to underscore the severity of the situation.

Notably, neither report provides detailed coverage of the military maneuvers or political negotiations related to the conflict, instead centering the civilian experience. This focus reflects a broader trend in international media coverage of Sudan, which has increasingly highlighted the human cost of the war even as diplomatic efforts stall.

Neither report offers a timeline for when the conflict might end, nor do they suggest any imminent resolution. Instead, they present a stark picture of a country where institutions have collapsed and survival depends on the bravery of ordinary people.

As the war enters its fourth year, the international community's response remains a key question. The articles reference the NRC's broader advocacy efforts — including criticism of a recent Berlin donor conference — but the reports themselves do not offer specific policy recommendations. What remains clear is that the people of Sudan continue to bear the brunt of a conflict that shows no signs of abating, while those who can help are often those with the fewest resources.