Corruption Amid War in Sudan By: Osman Gasm Alsaed

01:58 PM April, 06 2025

Sudanese Online
عثمان قسم السيد-السودان
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Since the outbreak of war in Sudan in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, the country has plunged into a deep crisis marked by institutional collapse, security breakdown, and political and social fragmentation. As in many conflict zones, the war has created fertile ground for widespread corruption, exacerbating the suffering of citizens, hindering humanitarian efforts, and undermining what remains of state institutions.

Administrative and Political Corruption

With the collapse of centralized authority in many regions, state institutions have been transformed into tools in the hands of warring factions. Loyalists have been appointed to high-ranking positions regardless of competence, leading to rampant nepotism and favoritism. Public resources are now allocated based on political or military allegiance rather than public interest. One of the most blatant examples is the manipulation of humanitarian aid—either redirected to serve specific factions or sold on the black market instead of being distributed to those in need.

Plundering of Resources and Wealth

Various parties have exploited the chaos to plunder national resources such as gold, livestock, and agricultural products. Mining areas, particularly in Darfur and Blue Nile, have fallen under the control of armed groups or influential individuals who smuggle gold to fund the conflict or for personal gain. Subsidized goods are also being smuggled across borders, fueling inflation and worsening food insecurity.

Corruption in Humanitarian Work

Humanitarian organizations face major obstacles in reaching affected areas due to armed groups demanding "fees" or bribes in exchange for safe passage. Reports have also emerged of some aid workers exploiting humanitarian efforts for personal gain, manipulating beneficiary lists, or selling aid supplies on the open market. This has eroded public trust in humanitarian organizations, despite the growing need for their services.

Catastrophic Impact on Citizens

Sudanese citizens are the primary victims of this corrupt system. As the number of displaced people and the hungry increases, resources are wasted on internal power struggles and self-interest. Institutions meant to protect and serve the public are either absent or paralyzed. In the absence of accountability and justice, citizens are caught in a vicious cycle of poverty, violence, and despair.

Conclusion: No Peace Without Justice

Addressing corruption during wartime in Sudan cannot be postponed until the conflict ends; it must be an integral part of any future peace process. Without real accountability, institutional reform, and enforced transparency, the country will remain trapped in violence and collapse. The strongest weapon the Sudanese people hold is their awareness and determination to build a just, transparent state governed by the rule of law.

Osman Gasm Alsaed

[email protected]

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