Rethinking the Violent Conflict in Sudan: An Intersectional and Human Security Perspective

• In Event: Human Security

Abstract

Since achieving independence in 1956, Sudan has experienced a series of recurrent civil wars characterised by entrenched conflict between the government based in Northern Sudan and its principal opposition, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A). This conflict is further exacerbated by the involvement of government-affiliated militias, notably the Janjaweed, utilised to perpetrate widespread violence and destabilisation within civilian populations in the southern regions of the country. In 2023, the conflict reignited and escalated due to a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This renewed confrontation precipitated a large-scale conflict that has resulted in severe humanitarian crises, including significant loss of life, widespread population displacements, economic crises, and the near-total collapse of healthcare services. The Sudan conflict, marked by protracted violence, humanitarian crises, and complex socio-political dynamics, presents a critical case for applying the human security lens. This approach transcends traditional state-centric analyses by prioritising the safety and dignity of individuals and communities. This study explores the multifaceted dimensions of human security in the context of the Sudan conflict, including the impact of violence on civilians, the role of governance, and the intersection of socio-economic factors.

Key Words: human security, violent conflict, intersectionality,

Author

• Dominic Offei, University of Massachusetts Boston