In Focus by The Hindu Sudan’s RSF massacres: What’s behind the unending war?
Nov 14, 2025
Stanly Johny, International Affairs Editor at The Hindu, delves into the devastating civil war in Sudan, which has claimed over 150,000 lives and displaced millions. He discusses the strategic implications of the RSF's capture of El Fasher and the ongoing power struggle between military leaders Burhan and Dagalo. The podcast sheds light on the humanitarian crisis exacerbated by famine and malnutrition, critiques international inaction, and examines the complexities of potential ceasefire proposals and future political arrangements.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
RSF's Strategic Hold In Darfur
- The RSF now controls most of Darfur and gains strategic depth and economic leverage from gold mines and taxation.
- The Sudanese Armed Forces still hold Khartoum, the Nile corridor and Red Sea coast, keeping them territorially dominant elsewhere.
The Siege And Fall Of El Fasher
- El Fasher endured an 18-month siege that caused famine before the RSF finally seized the city.
- After capture, UN reports documented mass executions of men and widespread rape and pillage in the initial days.
Power Clash Fueled The War
- The conflict began as a power struggle between Generals Burhan and Dagalo over RSF integration into the regular army.
- RSF resisted absorption to preserve autonomy, turning a leadership dispute into a nationwide war.