Amidst a relentless internal war since April 2023, Sudan is paying a steep price for the reckless policies of its military leadership, which have transformed the nation from a regional linchpin of cooperation into a destabilizing force. While the Sudanese army perceives fleeting battlefield gains as victories, its hostilities with neighboring states are intensifying, exacerbating the country’s international isolation and prompting dire warnings about humanitarian and regional security repercussions.

The military government’s aggressive policies have driven Sudan’s relations with its neighbors to unprecedented lows. The latest example came on March 22, 2025, when Sudanese Army Assistant Commander Yasser Al-Atta threatened to strike airports in Chad and South Sudan, further inflaming already fragile regional tensions. Chad’s Foreign Ministry condemned the remarks as a “declaration of war,” triggering widespread international condemnation and fueling concerns of broader regional conflict.

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Chad, which has endured decades of Sudanese-backed destabilization through support for rebel movements, responded unequivocally, asserting its right to defend its sovereignty under international law. “Chad condemns these irresponsible statements, which can be construed as a declaration of war if acted upon,” its official statement read. “We reserve the right to respond decisively to any aggression on our territory.”

The statement underscored Sudan’s long-standing interference, accusing successive regimes in Khartoum of supporting armed factions and extremist groups such as Boko Haram for over six decades, while Chad had consistently refrained from retaliatory violence.

Likewise, South Sudan’s government issued a strong rebuke on March 23, 2025, denouncing Al-Atta’s remarks as a “blatant violation of international law” and reaffirming Juba’s commitment to peace while warning that any threats to its sovereignty would be met with a resolute response.

This is not the first time Al-Atta has issued incendiary statements against Chad and South Sudan. Since the onset of Sudan’s war, he has persistently incited hostilities, rhetoric that has translated into widespread human rights abuses against South Sudanese civilians. These abuses escalated in January 2025 when the army and allied militias regained control of Wad Madani, the capital of Al-Jazirah State, unleashing a campaign of violence targeting South Sudanese communities.

Diplomatic Failures and Renewed Sanctions

Since General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan’s military coup on October 25, 2021, Sudan has been thrust into deepening international isolation. After making strides following the 2019 revolution—securing Sudan’s removal from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism and the lifting of economic sanctions—the country has regressed, facing renewed diplomatic ostracization and punitive measures.

The military’s mishandling of Sudan’s foreign relations has cost the country vital international support. Sudan’s membership in the African Union remains suspended, and global efforts to aid its democratic transition have collapsed. Instead of fostering balanced diplomatic ties, Sudan’s Foreign Ministry has become a platform for inflammatory rhetoric, exacerbating the country’s external crises.

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Commenting on the military’s provocations, Tahir Hajar, a leader in the “Tasis” coalition, condemned the reckless remarks, stating, “We reject any incendiary statements that deepen divisions and weaken our regional and international relations.” In a social media post, he emphasized that “official discourse is a national responsibility that should reflect our people’s wisdom and determination for peace and stability. We seek partnerships that promote stability and mutual respect. Sudanese unity should be a bridge for solidarity, not discord.”

Concerns are mounting that Sudan’s internal conflict could spiral into a wider regional war. Given its history of border disputes and armed clashes with South Sudan, the situation remains highly volatile. The Sudanese army’s recent atrocities against civilians in Al-Jazirah State—including reports of mass beheadings—have already triggered diplomatic crises with Juba and drawn alarm from other African nations, including Kenya and Uganda.

The United Nations and the African Union have called for immediate de-escalation, urging a return to diplomatic solutions. A UN spokesperson warned that “the ongoing military escalation in Sudan poses a severe threat to regional stability and derails fragile peace efforts.”

The Sudanese Army: Entrenching Suffering

Beyond external conflicts, Sudan’s military continues to inflict suffering on its own citizens. The African Union has refused to lift Sudan’s suspension until the war—now nearing its third year—ends and the country resumes its democratic transition.

The army is directly responsible for the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe, not only through its relentless warfare—devastating infrastructure and displacing millions—but also through deliberate repressive policies, including weaponizing starvation. By controlling border crossings and obstructing the delivery of food and medical supplies to conflict zones, the military has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, with activists likening its tactics to “slow genocide.”

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The military’s aerial bombardments of civilian markets and residential areas have drawn widespread condemnation. On March 24, 2025, an airstrike on the weekly Tura market near El Fasher killed dozens and injured hundreds. The following day, Sudanese forces launched further air raids on the market, with casualty estimates ranging from 54 to 1,500, according to The New York Times. The report detailed that “the Sudanese Armed Forces carried out an airstrike on a crowded market in western Darfur, killing at least hundreds of civilians and wounding many more.” Satellite imagery and NASA data confirmed extensive destruction over a 10,000-square-meter area. One eyewitness recounted, “These were all poor, innocent, unarmed people. They had no affiliations.” The report underscored recurring accusations of indiscriminate bombings in areas controlled by the Rapid Support Forces.

Following this atrocity, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported on March 24 that “15,000 families from Al-Malha in North Darfur were displaced due to Sudanese military bombardments.” The UN-affiliated agency stated that the mass displacement occurred within 48 hours.

On March 25, the National Umma Party denounced the “horrific war crime” in a statement, describing it as “a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and one of the most heinous massacres since the conflict began.” The party called upon international and local organizations to document and denounce the crime while urging immediate civilian protection. It demanded that “the Sudanese Armed Forces cease targeting civilians and fully commit to their protection,” emphasizing that “this war constitutes an ongoing crime against the Sudanese people, who continue to pay its bloody toll.”

Mounting Public Outrage

Public anger toward Sudan’s military leadership is intensifying, as its policies have plunged the country into deepening crisis. Activists argue that the army’s actions have pushed Sudan into unprecedented isolation and compounded the suffering of its people, who remain burdened by war and economic collapse. Some have described the regime’s foreign policy as “regional suicide.”

Military analyst Omar Arbab warned that “the army’s battlefield gains do not signify the end of the war… Sudan faces even bloodier confrontations ahead.” Meanwhile, activist Mujahid Bushra called for “an end to reckless statements that turn the military into a regional security threat.” He added, “This public and widely broadcast statement carries severe legal, diplomatic, and military consequences for Sudan, placing the country in yet another crisis—both domestically and internationally.”

As Sudan’s crises intensify, one pressing question remains: Where is the military leading the nation? While international calls for de-escalation grow louder, the Sudanese army appears determined to entrench the country further into turmoil.