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The Civil War in Sudan: Internal Dynamics and the Role of External Players

https://doi.org/10.31249/kgt/2026.01.09

Abstract

This article examines the civil war in Sudan, which has lasted for over two years and has caused enormous casualties and destruction throughout the country. The vast majority of schools and hospitals have been destroyed or put out of service, which has had a profoundly negative impact on social development in the country. Agriculture, industry, and trade have been significantly disrupted. In Darfur, genocide against non-Arab peoples has allegedly occurred. The aim of this paper is to examine the main trends in the Sudanese civil war, with a particular emphasis on the use of UAV, which have played a significant role in the initial, cautious shift in favor of government forces. Furthermore, the article also considers the role of various external actors actively involved in the Sudanese civil war and supporting different parties to the conflict. For example, the rebels of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are supported by the UAE, while the Sudanese government army is most actively supported by Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Turkey. This study is particularly relevant given the increasing destabilization of the entire Sahel region, which contains the part of Sudan where the most intense fighting is taking place.

About the Authors

A. S. Khodunov
Russian State University for the Humanities
Russian Federation

Alexander S. Khodunov PhD (Political Sciences), Senior Lecturer, Department of Modern East and Africa

Miusskaya Square, 6, Moscow, 125047



T. R. Khayrullin
Institute for African Studies of the Russian Academy Sciences; RUDN University named after Patrice Lumumba; Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation
Russian Federation

Timur R. Khayrullin, PhD (Political Sciences), Senior Researcher, Centre for Civilizational and Regional Studies; Senior Researcher, Department of Oriental and African Studies; Senior Lecturer

Spiridonovka Street, 30/1, Moscow, 123001

Miklukho-Maklai Street, 6, Moscow, 117198

Leningradskii Avenue, 49, Moscow, 125993



A. V. Korotayev
National Research University Higher School of Economics; Institute for African Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Federation

Andrey V. Korotayev, Dr. Sc. (History), Professor; Head Researcher, Center for Civilizational and Regional Studies

Myasnitskaya Street, 20, Moscow, 101000

Spiridonovka Street, 30/1, Moscow, 123001



References

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For citations:


Khodunov A.S., Khayrullin T.R., Korotayev A.V. The Civil War in Sudan: Internal Dynamics and the Role of External Players. Outlines of global transformations: politics, economics, law. 2026;19(1):159-178. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.31249/kgt/2026.01.09

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