General updates

In April 2026, the conflict in Sudan escalated sharply, marked by a series of high-casualty attacks on civilians and essential infrastructure across multiple regions. The month began with a drone strike on Al-Jabalain hospital in White Nile State on 2 April, which killed at least ten people, including medical staff, underscoring the continued targeting of healthcare facilities.

Violence then spread further, and on 7 April, shelling and drone attacks in Dilling (South Kordofan) killed at least 31 civilians and displaced over 1,500 families, contributing to mass displacement in the region. The situation deteriorated again shortly after, when on 8 April, a drone strike hit a wedding in Kutum (North Darfur), killing more than 40 people and injuring around 100, including women and children, in one of the deadliest incidents of the month.

This pattern continued into May, on May 8, when drone strikes on Al Quz in South Kordofan and in the vicinity of El Obeid in North Kordofan reportedly resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians.
Building on this escalation, another deadly strike occurred later in the month. On 19 May 2026, a drone attack hit a busy market in Ghubaysh, West Kordofan, killing at least 28 civilians and injuring dozens more. The attack took place during peak market hours in a densely populated commercial area, according to local monitoring groups.

Later in May 2026, reports continued to document deadly attacks against civilians in conflict-affected areas of Sudan. On 29 May 2026, at least 27 civilians, including elderly persons, were reportedly killed during attacks on villages in the al-Murrah area west of Barah in North Kordofan. According to local monitoring groups, the targeted villages did not contain any military presence, raising concerns over the continued targeting of civilian-populated areas and the worsening humanitarian situation in regions affected by the conflict.

Association

Some humanitarian and civil society organisations in Sudan continue to face suspension and operational restrictions amid the ongoing conflict and shrinking civic space. On 29 March 2026, the Sudan Social Development Organization (SUDO) had its activities effectively suspended in several RSF-controlled areas of Darfur following the non-renewal of its registration by the Humanitarian Aid Commission in January 2026. The measure led to the closure of multiple offices and the disruption of humanitarian services, particularly for displaced communities. 

Expression

Arbitrary arrests and detentions of humanitarian personnel and civil society actors continue to be reported in Sudan, particularly in conflict-affected areas where due process guarantees are often not respected. On 1 April 2026, a United Nations staff member, Najwa Moussa Kawanda, was reportedly arrested and has remained in detention in the Kauda area of South Kordofan, Sudan. The detention reportedly occurred in connection with her involvement in local mediation efforts in tribal conflicts in the Nuba Mountains, with no clear legal procedures disclosed and concerns raised over her whereabouts and safety.

Beyond the targeting of humanitarian and civil society actors, Sudan has become the most dangerous country in the world for journalists since the outbreak of the war in April 2023, with the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) documenting at least 16 journalists killed in relation to their work. This makes the conflict one of the deadliest environments globally for the press, with media workers systematically exposed to lethal risks while covering atrocities committed by both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). As the war marked its third anniversary on 15 April 2026, the situation highlighted the continued collapse of press freedom in the country, with no sign of improvement in conditions for journalists operating in an environment of ongoing violence, impunity, and widespread insecurity.

In this context, incidents of judicial harassment and arbitrary detention of journalists have continued to be reported. On 4 April 2026, the Committee for Justice documented the re-arrest of journalist Hagar Suleiman in Sudan’s Northern State following a summons before the State Prosecutor. She was subsequently charged under provisions of the Criminal Act related to “criminal concealment”, in a case linked to her refusal to disclose journalistic sources. The organisation expressed concern over due process and warned that such practices reflect increasing pressure on journalists and further deterioration of press freedom in Sudan.

Peaceful Assembly

Growing deterioration of basic services and infrastructure in Sudan, particularly amid the ongoing conflict and economic crisis, has continued to trigger local protests and public unrest. On 8 April 2026, residents in Abri in Sudan’s Northern State blocked a key highway linking Sudan and Egypt to protest prolonged and worsening electricity cuts affecting the area. The demonstrators disrupted traffic on an important trade route, using road blockades and burning tyres to express anger over the repeated power outages and deteriorating living conditions. The protest reflected growing frustration among local communities over the collapse of basic services amid the ongoing war and the inability of authorities to address infrastructure failures.