Map by BBC News.
- Capital City: Khartoum
- Area:1,886,068 sq. km
- Population: 47.9 million
- Official Language: Arabic, English
- GDP per capita: $581.56 USD (2024)
- Life Expectancy: 63 years (men); 68 years (women)
Sudan is the largest country in in northeastern Africa. It borders seven countries (Egypt, Libya, Chad, the Central African Republic, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Eritrea), and has access to the Red Sea. Positioned at the crossroads of sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, and the Middle East, Sudan serves as an important hub for trade and regional cooperation, while its Red Sea coastline holds strategic geopolitical significance for western maritime and security interests. The Nile River flows through the country, providing a vital water source that supports communities and agriculture.
Sudan is home to approximately 48 million people, including multiple ethnic groups such as the Nubian, Beja, Fur and Masalit people. The majority of Sudanese people are Muslim, mainly Sunni, and the country has many Christian and Indigenous faith groups, particularly in areas affected by displacement.
After gaining independence from joint British-Egyptian rule in 1956, Sudan has faced repeated civil wars, coups, and regional conflicts, complicated by the discovery and poor management of oil in South Sudan, in the late 1970s. The first civil war, known as the Anyanya Rebellion (1956–1972), began soon after independence; the second Sudanese civil war (1983–2005) resulted in millions of deaths due to famine and widespread atrocities, though eventually led to the creation of South Sudan as an independent state in 2011. During this period, Sudan also experienced a military coup and the outbreak of the War in Darfur, also known as the 20-Year Conflict (2003–2020), further deepening the nation’s instability.
In 2019, mass protests led to the removal of Omar al-Bashir, who had come to power through a military coup, but political instability persisted after his ousting. Following coups in 2019 and 2021, a new military administration led by Lt. Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan took power. The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) controlled different regions and resources, often engaging in violent competition for territory. Since then, independent journalists and opposition figures have faced censorship and harassment, while state-controlled media continue to reflect military priorities.
Fighting between the SAF and RSF erupted in April 2023, spreading to Gezira, Sennar, and North Darfur, where Fur and Masalit communities suffered heavy attacks. Between 2023 and 2024, the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) affected numerous civilian populations, particularly in Darfur, Kordofan, and Gezira. The UN, Human rights watch, and Amnesty International have documented human rights violations by both parties, including looting, civilian torture, killings and sexual assaults, and attacks against Masalit communities in Darfur. Journalists, activists, and protesters also report incidents of detention, intimidation, and violence following criticism of military authorities.
Since April 2023, conflict between the SAF and RSF has killed more than 27,000 civilians and displaced millions. Despite a UN arms embargo put in place in 2005 for the War in Darfur and the sanctions framework updated in 2023 to address the RSF and SAF, weapons continue to flow into Sudan from Russia, China, Türkiye, and the United Arab Emirates. These transactions fuel violence across North Darfur, Gezira, and Sennar.
Over 25 million people in Sudan face acute food insecurity, with famine reported in ZamZam Camp in North Darfur. Homes, hospitals, and water facilities have been destroyed, particularly in El Fasher and Gezira, worsening the humanitarian crisis. Aid access remains severely limited due to insecurity, damaged infrastructure, and administrative delays in Port Sudan, where humanitarian organizations have faced difficulties obtaining visas and travel permits to areas under government control.
Sudan faces the world’s largest displacement crisis, with over 11 million people internally displaced and 3.2 million refugees in neighboring countries as of January 2025, according to the UN Migration Displacement Report. Many have fled to Chad, Egypt, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Libya, and the Central African Republic, where conditions remain dire. Masalit and Fur refugees crossing into Chad report ongoing insecurity, while Egyptian authorities have forcibly returned Sudanese nationals without proper asylum procedures. Displacement continues to rise due to violence, famine, and sexual assaults, with no sign of stabilization or safe return.
Canada’s immigration measures in response to the conflict include programs for resettlement, temporary residence, and family reunification. From April 2023 to December 2024, approximately 12,815 people affected by the conflict in Sudan were approved to travel to Canada on either a permanent or temporary basis. This includes over 1,360 Sudanese refugees and more than 4,100 non-Sudanese nationals who were residing in Sudan at the onset of the conflict.
The Government of Canada has outlined plans to resettle up to 4,000 Sudanese government-assisted refugees (GARs) by the end of 2026, and to support an additional 700 Sudanese refugees through private sponsorship. According to the IRCC, for Sudanese citizens, the “family-based permanent residence pathway will increase from 3,250 to over 5,000 [applicants], which will allow Canada to welcome approximately 10,000 people under this pathway”. Applications from individuals with close family members in Canada have been prioritized. Additional measures allow Sudanese nationals already in Canada to extend their status and apply for open work or study permits.
Prolonged conflict, large-scale displacement, and exposure to violence have shaped the experiences of many Sudanese refugees resettling in Canada. These conditions often influence the emotional well-being and the adjustment period during the resettlement process, particularly as individuals and families adapt to new cultural, social and institutional environments. Sudanese refugees may face challenges related to identity, intergenerational dynamics, and social integration, yet they also continually demonstrate resilience and a strong commitment to rebuilding their lives. Access to culturally informed settlement services, community support networks, and inclusive policies play an important role in supporting long-term integration and promoting a sense of stability and belonging within Canadian society.
Thank you to Daqo Abdulle, VCST volunteer research coordinator, for her writing and research on this country profile.