As the conflict in Sudan continues to escalate, December has proven to be particularly devastating, shifting the focus of violence to the central region of Kordofan. The situation is compounded by a significant reduction in international aid, leaving millions on the brink of starvation and increasingly desperate for humanitarian support amidst a backdrop of military offensives and political deadlock.
The brutal war in Sudan, now deep into its third year, has shifted its center of gravity to the strategic central region of Kordofan from Darfur, threatening to split the country in two. December saw the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) expand its offensive, seizing vital oil infrastructure and laying siege to key cities, while the government-aligned Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) intensified aerial campaigns. Humanitarian conditions hit a new low as the United Nations warned of a “survival mode” operations plan due to severe funding cuts, leaving millions at risk of starvation in 2026.
Fighting and military control have reached alarming levels. On December 8, the RSF seized the strategic Heglig oilfield — Sudan’s largest — in West Kordofan. Following a deadly drone attack on the facility, a tripartite agreement involving the SAF, RSF, and the South Sudanese government allowed South Sudanese troops to secure the field and neutralize it from combat activity. Violence surged across Kordofan, with the RSF claiming control of Babnusa, the gateway to West Kordofan; however, the army disputed the complete fall of the city. The RSF has maintained “airtight sieges” on Kadugli and Dilling in South Kordofan while pushing towards the strategic North Kordofan capital of el-Obeid.
Drone warfare has escalated, with both sides extensively utilizing drones with devastating consequences. A strike on the Atbara power plant in River Nile state plunged major cities, including Port Sudan, into darkness. Tragically, a drone attack on a preschool and hospital in Kalogi, South Kordofan, resulted in the deaths of at least 116 people, including 46 children.
Attacks on UN Peacekeepers have further compounded the crisis, with a drone strike on December 13 targeting a UN logistics base in Kadugli, killing six Bangladeshi peacekeepers and injuring eight others. The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned this incident, stating it may constitute a war crime. Meanwhile, a UN team gained access to el-Fasher for the first time since its fall in October, describing the largely deserted city as a “crime scene.” A report by the Yale Humanitarian Research Lab documented a systematic RSF campaign to destroy evidence of mass killings.
The humanitarian crisis has been exacerbated by a collapse in aid funding. The UN announced it has been forced to halve its 2026 appeal to billion due to donor fatigue. Consequently, the World Food Programme (WFP) warned it must cut food rations by 70% starting in January, affecting communities already facing famine. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) placed Sudan atop its Emergency Watchlist for 2026, citing the convergence of conflict, economic collapse, and dwindling international support.
Reports indicate systematic sexual violence has surged, with the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) documenting nearly 1,300 cases, 87% attributed to the RSF. This violence is primarily being used as a weapon of war against non-Arab groups. Health conditions are dire, with UNICEF reporting that 53% of children screened in North Darfur are acutely malnourished, and a staggering 97% of households in Khartoum face food shortages.
In response, the European Union launched an “air bridge” operation to deliver life-saving supplies to Darfur, describing the situation as one of the world’s hardest to reach. Diplomatically, Sudanese Prime Minister Kamil Idris presented a peace plan to the UN Security Council proposing an RSF withdrawal and disarmament, which the RSF rejected as “wishful thinking.” SAF chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, speaking from Turkiye, ruled out negotiations, insisting the war would only end with the RSF’s “surrender” and disarmament.
In a significant development, a civilian coalition has emerged. In Nairobi, civilian leaders, including former Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and rebel leader Abdelwahid al-Nur, signed a declaration to form a new antiwar bloc, attempting to reclaim political agency from the warring generals. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has intensified diplomatic efforts, with the U.S. Treasury sanctioning four Colombian nationals and companies for recruiting mercenaries to fight for the RSF.
Lastly, the International Criminal Court has made history with the sentencing of former Popular Defence Forces (Janjaweed) leader Ali Kushayb to 20 years in prison for war crimes committed in Darfur (2003-2004), marking the first such conviction for the region.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan presents a complex array of challenges, both humanitarian and political, requiring immediate attention, support, and innovative solutions for a brighter future.
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