The Rise of Sudan’s Civilian Resistance: A People’s Fight for Survival

The Resistance Hub

Introduction

Sudan is no stranger to conflict, but the war that erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has pushed the country into unprecedented chaos. With government institutions crumbling and lawlessness spreading, ordinary civilians have found themselves caught in a brutal power struggle between two rival military factions. Yet, rather than remaining passive victims, communities across Sudan have taken up arms, forming Popular Resistance Movements to defend their neighborhoods, protect essential supply routes, and challenge the militias that have turned cities into war zones.

Unlike traditional armed groups, these civilian militias are not professional soldiers; they are teachers, shopkeepers, students, and farmers forced to fight for survival. As the world watches Sudan’s crisis unfold, it’s clear that the resilience of its people is reshaping the nature of conflict in the country. This article explores the rise of Sudan’s civilian mobilization, the tactics used in their struggle, and what their fight means for the country’s future.

Sudan’s Political Collapse: How a Country Fell into War

One must first grasp the catastrophic breakdown of Sudan’s political order to understand the civilian resistance.

The conflict erupted in April 2023 after months of rising tensions between the two most powerful military factions in Sudan: the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commonly known as Hemedti.

For years, the RSF operated as a shadow army, originally formed from the Janjaweed militias responsible for atrocities in Darfur. When Sudan’s longtime dictator, Omar al-Bashir, was ousted in 2019, the RSF and SAF briefly worked together under a transitional government, promising a shift toward civilian rule. But by 2021, the two forces staged a coup, derailing Sudan’s democratic aspirations.

What followed was a power struggle disguised as a civil war. The SAF and RSF turned their weapons on each other, vying for control of Khartoum, Darfur, and other key territories. Caught in the middle were Sudanese civilians who faced widespread massacres, ethnic cleansing, mass rapes, and starvation tactics. With no functioning government or international intervention, people had two choices: flee or fight.

The Birth of Sudan’s Civilian Resistance

As the conflict spiraled, local communities realized they could not depend on either warring faction for protection. Armed neighborhood committees emerged in cities like Khartoum, El Geneina, and Omdurman. Their goal was simple: defend their homes from looting, safeguard food supplies, and prevent ethnic massacres.

Loosely organized neighborhood patrols evolved into more structured Popular Resistance Movements. These groups began working together, sharing intelligence and securing weapons, often seizing arms from fallen RSF or SAF fighters. Some factions formed out of necessity, while political or ethnic alliances influenced others.

In Darfur, where ethnic violence has long plagued the region, non-Arab communities mobilized to counter RSF militias, which have been accused of carrying out genocidal attacks against the Masalit and other ethnic groups. In these areas, resistance forces have operated with guerrilla tactics, launching ambushes on RSF convoys and securing strategic routes to smuggle aid into besieged cities.

While the resistance movements have been driven by self-preservation, they have also become a symbol of defiance against Sudan’s violent military rule.

How Civilians Are Fighting Back

The Popular Resistance Movements employ various tactics to counter the better-armed and better-funded paramilitary forces.

1. Defensive Operations

Most civilian militias were formed for defensive purposes. In Khartoum and Omdurman, armed volunteers have set up roadblocks, night patrols, and fortified safe zones to protect civilians from RSF raids. In some cases, they have successfully repelled RSF attacks on neighborhoods, mainly where the RSF has targeted homes for looting.

2. Guerrilla Warfare and Sabotage

In urban and rural areas, resistance groups have used hit-and-run tactics, ambushes, and sabotage operations to weaken RSF forces. This includes destroying supply convoys, setting traps along RSF-occupied roads, and cutting off access to key resources. The goal is to exhaust and demoralize the RSF while protecting vulnerable communities.

3. Intelligence Sharing and Digital Resistance

Even unarmed civilians are playing a role. Activists and local leaders use encrypted messaging apps to coordinate movements, warn of impending attacks, and track enemy troop movements. Some groups have tapped into satellite internet services to bypass government-imposed internet blackouts, ensuring that resistance networks remain intact.

4. International Support and Diaspora Networks

Sudanese activists abroad have been instrumental in providing aid and raising awareness. The Sudanese diaspora, particularly in Europe and North America, has been funneling money to resistance efforts and pressuring foreign governments to take action against RSF leaders. However, international support remains limited, and the resistance movement is largely self-sustaining.

The Regional and Global Impact of Sudan’s Civilian Uprising

Sudan’s conflict has repercussions far beyond its borders.

1. A Refugee Crisis Spilling Into Neighboring Countries
2. Over 6 million Sudanese have been displaced, with many fleeing into Chad, Egypt, and South Sudan. The war has also reignited ethnic tensions in Darfur, bringing back fears of another genocide.
3. A Warning for Other African Nations
4. The rise of Sudan’s civilian resistance movements is being closely watched across Africa, particularly in Ethiopia, Nigeria, and the Sahel, where local militias have increasingly stepped in to fill the void left by weak or corrupt governments.
5. The Role of Foreign Powers
6. Regional actors such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt have been accused of arming rival factions, further fueling the war. Meanwhile, the West has largely remained on the sidelines, issuing condemnations but failing to intervene meaningfully.

What Comes Next? The Future of Sudan’s Resistance

Despite their courage and resilience, Sudan’s civilian militias face immense challenges. Their ability to sustain long-term resistance is uncertain without formal training, funding, or international backing. However, their efforts highlight a crucial reality: Sudan’s future will not be determined solely by warlords and generals—the people themselves are fighting for their survival and sovereignty.

How the Resistance Can Succeed

1. Building Stronger Alliances – Resistance movements must coordinate with pro-democracy factions to ensure their struggle translates into political power.
2. Securing Humanitarian Aid – International organizations must find ways to safely deliver food and medicine to besieged areas.
3. Maintaining Global Awareness – The Sudanese diaspora and human rights groups must continue to pressure world governments for action against war criminals.

Conclusion

Sudan’s war exposed the failures of military rule and revealed the strength of its people. The rise of Popular Resistance Movements proves that civilians will not remain passive in the face of violence. Whether or not these groups can sustain their struggle remains to be seen, but their defiance sends a powerful message: Sudan’s future belongs to its people, not its warlords. The world must recognize that Sudan’s war is not just a battle between generals—it is a fight for the very soul of a nation. In that fight, ordinary Sudanese civilians refused to back down.

Recommendation for Further Research on this Topic

Sudan’s 2019 Revolution: The Power of Civil Resistance
This book analyzes the 2019 Sudanese revolution, showcasing how nonviolent resistance proved effective. It features firsthand insights from key activists, journalists, and scholars who discuss the civil society groups that led the struggle.