Sudan: Concerns Over Disinformation Networks and the Reappearance of Bashir’s Sons

Sudan is facing growing political and security challenges amid the ongoing conflict that has raged since mid-April 2023. Concerns are mounting over the spread of disinformation and the reemergence of figures associated with the former regime.

Calls to Reveal Bashir’s Whereabouts

The Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, has urged Sudanese authorities to disclose the whereabouts of ousted President Omar al-Bashir and several of his top aides and to hand them over to the ICC in compliance with outstanding arrest warrants.

Bashir and his associates were detained before the war broke out in April 2023. However, since the start of the conflict, Sudanese authorities have remained tight-lipped about their location. In a previous statement, Sudan’s army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, asserted that Bashir was in a “safe place” without offering further details.

Widespread Infrastructure Destruction

As clashes between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) persist, the war has inflicted severe damage on the country’s infrastructure and public facilities, worsening the humanitarian crisis. Experts and international officials have warned that the extensive destruction of essential services—including hospitals, water networks, and power grids—poses a significant barrier to humanitarian relief efforts and future reconstruction.

Rise of Armed Groups

Amid the deteriorating security situation, Sudan has witnessed a surge in armed groups. Before the outbreak of the war, the country was home to around 80 militias operating independently of the army. Since then, more than 10 new factions have emerged, bringing the total to approximately 90, raising serious concerns about the country’s stability and the potential fragmentation of its territory into rival-controlled zones.

International Concerns and Human Rights Warnings

Human rights organizations and international bodies have voiced growing alarm over the escalating violence in Sudan. They have warned of the conflict’s devastating impact on civilians and urged all parties to pursue a comprehensive political solution to end the bloodshed and restore stability.

As the crisis unfolds, Sudan’s future remains uncertain, with potential outcomes ranging from further escalation of the conflict to possible political agreements that could bring an end to nearly a year of turmoil.