In late February, a significant milestone unfolded as the United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) completed the withdrawal of its multinational contingent from the country. The official communication, attributed to the UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson, signals the end of an organized mission phase that had shaped the humanitarian and stabilization efforts in Sudan for several years. The statement confirms that UNITAMS has concluded its troop withdrawal on February 29, 2024, marking the transition in the international community’s approach to support Sudan during a period of volatility and transition.
Amid the broader exit, a small UNITAMS team remains in Port Sudan to oversee the winding-down process. This residual presence is described as a functional measure to ensure an orderly liquidation of mission activities, with formal operations in this phase starting on March 1. The UN emphasizes that the organization will retain its commitment to humanitarian aid and to supporting the people of Sudan as they work toward a peaceful and secure future.
Prior to this withdrawal, the UN Security Council had approved a draft resolution drafted with input from the United Kingdom that endorsed ending UNITAMS. This alignment followed Sudan’s decision, made earlier in the year, to conclude UNITAMS’s formal presence. The government’s letter to the UN framed the mission as having, in their view, intensified certain challenges rather than alleviating them, while signaling a willingness to collaborate on a revised framework that might yield more positive outcomes for the country. Within this context, Sudanese authorities indicated readiness to engage constructively with international partners to design a new approach that could better reflect local needs and aspirations.
Sudan’s crisis escalated in 2023, with power struggles among the country’s top military leaders. Tensions between army commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who also chaired the Sovereignty Council, and Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, heading the rapid support forces, led to ongoing disagreements over the method and structure of a unified armed forces and, critically, who should hold the role of commander-in-chief. Al-Burhan advocated for a traditional professional officer, while Dagalo pushed for a leadership aligned with civilian oversight. Those strategic splits helped fuel the difficult political landscape that persisted into 2024.
The clash that erupted in mid-April 2023 reverberated across the capital and extended to the vicinity of the Merowe airbase. The fighting and its aftermath resulted in extensive human suffering, with thousands reported as casualties and many more displaced. The events underscored the fragility of governance and security arrangements within the country and helped shape the international community’s assessment of how best to support Sudanese efforts toward stability and reconciliation.
Earlier reports highlighted the role of international partners, including regional and external actors, in delivering humanitarian relief and facilitating dialogue among Sudanese stakeholders. The ongoing commitment from international organizations, including the United Nations, remains geared toward alleviating human hardship, protecting civilians, and promoting local-led solutions that align with Sudanese priorities. The withdrawal of UNITAMS does not signify an abandonment of aid or support; rather, it reflects a recalibrated approach that prioritizes sustainable, locally driven progress while maintaining channels for essential humanitarian assistance and early recovery activities.
Looking ahead, observers note the importance of preserving gains in humanitarian access, civilian protection, and rapid response capabilities that have been vital during the most challenging periods of the crisis. The international community continues to monitor developments, ready to adapt and respond to evolving needs on the ground. In parallel, Sudanese authorities stress the value of constructive cooperation with international partners to develop a new framework that can produce tangible benefits for communities across the country, especially in conflict-affected regions where basic services remain stretched and vulnerable populations rely on continued support. The overarching aim remains clear: to support a peaceful, secure, and inclusive future for all Sudanese people while upholding humanitarian principles and the dignity of those affected by the conflict.