The war raging between the Sudanese Army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for more than 33 months has been more than just an armed conflict; it is a watershed moment that has reshaped society from its roots. It has left deep social scars that transcend physical destruction, ranging from the collapse of the social fabric to a loss of trust between individuals and a shift in the patterns of coexistence. Displacement, the interruption of education, and continuous violence have produced generations burdened by psychological and social anxiety.
As fighting recedes in some areas, a question more complex than physical reconstruction surfaces: What does Sudan look like socially after the war?
A Fractured Fabric
Ahmed Abdelkarim, a displaced person from Khartoum currently living in the outskirts of Madani, says that “the war changed everything, even how we view people and life. When we left our homes, we thought displacement was temporary, a matter of days or weeks. But over time, we discovered that the loss wasn’t just the house, but the relationships that disintegrated along the way.”
Abdelkarim continues: “In the neighborhood I fled to, we live with dozens of families we don’t know. Initially, there was sympathy, but with increasing pressure and lack of resources, everyone began to withdraw into themselves. The neighbor who used to knock on the door to help has become cautious today, not because they are bad, but because they are afraid, just like us.”
He notes that the feeling of alienation isn’t just about the place; even among people from the same region, interactions have changed. “Some of us have grown suspicious of others due to affiliations or accusations birthed by the war. We weigh our words and fear misunderstanding. This is something we never knew before.”
He adds: “The hardest part is the sense of lost dignity, relying on aid or feeling like a burden to others. These things leave a deep mark on the soul. Displacement doesn’t just strip you of your home; it puts you in a position of permanent weakness.”
The Erosion of Trust
Social researcher Nawal Moussa states that “one of the most complex legacies of the war is the erosion of trust within society. In many areas, social relations are now built on caution and assumptions. Years of violence and division have planted deep doubts, creating a psychological distance that is difficult to bridge quickly.”
Moussa explains that the way individuals view one another has changed due to the “alignments” forced by the war. “Accusations, rumors, and experiences of betrayal have made trust a ‘costly’ matter. Many prefer silence over expression, closing themselves off into narrow circles of family or friends. This lost trust extends to institutions; schools and neighborhood committees have lost their ability to play a unifying role because people question intentions and loyalties.”
Collective Transformation
Sociology and post-conflict studies researcher Salwa Mohammed Al-Amin notes that the war has caused a “deep break” in the social structure. “What we are experiencing today is a collective shift in how people interact. The war has redefined concepts of trust, belonging, and even social security.”
She warns that the most dangerous aspect of this stage is the normalization of division. When society becomes accustomed to a lack of trust, it builds alternative survival mechanisms, such as retreating into small sub-groups or tribal identities. “This undermines the idea of a unified state and makes any national reconstruction project fragile from the start.”
Tired Generations
The effects of the war have shaped the consciousness of an entire generation. Educational and psychological specialist Samer Abdullah says that “post-war generations face a double burden: the loss of psychological security and the interruption of regular education. Children who grew up in displacement camps have not acquired natural social and behavioral skills.”
He emphasizes that ignoring this aspect means the war’s effects will persist long after the guns fall silent, as psychological wounds become permanent obstacles to development.
Rebuilding
Hashim Al-Bashir, director of a Social Rehabilitation Office, argues that social destruction is greater than material ruin. “Efforts to rebuild will not succeed without the participation of society itself. Programs must focus on education, vocational training, and cultural initiatives that restore trust. If we neglect the social aspect, infrastructure alone will not achieve sustainable peace.”
Community development researcher Najla Hassan concludes that “restoring trust is a cumulative process that starts with small initiatives, joint education for children, community activities, and economic cooperation projects. Sudan needs to reproduce ‘social safety’ before any physical development.”
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