This Friday marks a grim and tragic milestone: 1,000 days since the outbreak of a brutal civil war in Sudan. The conflict, which erupted in April 2023, pits the national army against the powerful paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The Staggering Human Cost of the Conflict
The fighting has utterly devastated Africa's third-largest nation. The human toll is almost incomprehensible. According to reports, more than 150,000 people have been killed since the violence began. Furthermore, the war has triggered one of the world's worst displacement crises, with an estimated 12 million people forced to flee their homes.
In the western region of Darfur, the situation is particularly dire. Human rights organisations have levelled serious accusations against combatants, alleging campaigns of ethnic cleansing. These reports echo the horrors of the early 2000s and underscore the extreme violence characterising this prolonged war.
Decade of Tensions: A Journalist's Personal Reflection
In a special episode of the Sky News Daily podcast released on Thursday, 8th January 2026, presenter Niall Paterson speaks with Sky's Africa correspondent, Yousra Elbagir. Elbagir has reported on the simmering tensions within Sudan for over ten years, providing her with deep insight into the complex political and social landscape.
During the conversation, Elbagir offers not only her professional analysis of the current situation on the ground but also shares personal reflections on the country of her birth. She helps listeners understand the historical and political roots of the conflict between the army and the RSF, explaining how a struggle for power has led to national collapse.
What Future for the Sudanese People?
The podcast delves into the critical question of what comes next for Sudan's beleaguered population. With infrastructure destroyed, a humanitarian catastrophe unfolding, and no clear path to peace, the future for millions of Sudanese citizens remains frighteningly uncertain.
The episode, produced by Tom Gillespie and edited by Mike Bovill, provides essential context for a conflict that, despite its scale and severity, has often slipped from the forefront of international news coverage. It serves as a crucial reminder of the ongoing suffering as the war enters its fourth year.
