External Powers and Global Tensions Keep Sudan's War Burning Amid Rising Fuel and Food Costs

Why does the war in Sudan persist three years after it began? According to the latest episode of Al Jazeera’s podcast The Take, the answer lies in the network of external actors that continue to fund and arm the warring factions – the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The episode, hosted by journalist Malika Bilal and featuring political analyst Dallia Abdelmoniem, explores how regional and global rivalries have turned Sudan into a proxy battleground. With the United States and Israel engaged in a broader confrontation with Iran, and tensions in the Strait of Hormuz inflating oil prices, the cost of fuel and food in Sudan has surged, worsening an already dire famine situation.

Key insights from the discussion include:

• Foreign financing and arms supplies keep both the SAF and RSF operational, preventing a decisive military outcome.
• US‑Israel‑Iran dynamics divert international attention and resources, allowing the Sudanese conflict to fester.
• Rising global fuel prices driven by Strait of Hormuz instability increase transport costs, making humanitarian aid more expensive and less accessible.
• Food price spikes exacerbate famine risk for millions of displaced Sudanese, deepening the humanitarian crisis.

The podcast also notes that without a coordinated diplomatic push to address the external backers and the broader geopolitical tensions, a sustainable cease‑fire remains unlikely.

Production credits go to Tamara Khandaker (producer), with contributions from Noor Wazwaz, Sari el‑Khalili, Spencer Cline, Chloe K Li, and Tuleen Barakat. Editing was handled by Alexandra Locke, while Alex Roldan provided sound design and Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al‑Melhem managed video editing.

Listeners can follow the conversation and future episodes on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.