The current conflict has its roots in the failure to address past atrocities, hold perpetrators accountable, and implement reforms that would prevent these violations from recurring. Sudan made some steps towards transformative change following the ousting of President Omar al-Bashir from his 30-year dictatorship by peaceful Sudanese protesters. The Transitional Constitutional Declaration agreed to by civilian and military actors established three years of joint military and civilian rule after which an elected civilian government would take power. During the transitional period, civilian leaders began working towards elections. However, The October 2021 coup derailed Sudan’s nascent democratic transition, halted transitional justice efforts, and prevented the implementation of security sector reforms that would have integrated the RSF into the Sudanese army and formalized civilian control.

This failure echoes the lack of accountability that has dominated international policy toward Sudan for decades. Indeed, the RSF was previously known as the Janjaweed, the ground force created by the Bashir regime that perpetrated the Darfur genocide in 2003. The SAF has also perpetrated serious human rights violations for decades, including in Darfur. The Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court reported in January 2024 that both the RSF and SAF were committing atrocities in Darfur. Sudan is no stranger to such levels of barbarity, but this moment is unique as the entire country has been affected by the war and the legacies of wrongdoing from this war alone will be significant to address.