January 2026 Periodic Report
- Feb 27
- 2 min read
The month of January 2026 highlights the continuation of Sudan’s multidimensional crisis across political, security, humanitarian, economic, social, health, and educational spheres, amid a protracted armed conflict that has entrenched the dominance of military approaches at the expense of any viable internal political process. Field monitoring conducted by the Youth Citizens Observers Network (YCON) indicates an escalating impact of the conflict on civilians’ lives and access to essential services, accompanied by growing fragility in protection mechanisms and a marked decline in institutional capacity to respond systematically and in a coordinated manner.
At the political and security levels, the month was characterized by persistent internal political stagnation, contrasted with limited external engagement. This was reflected in the announcement by the Civil Democratic Alliance for Revolutionary Forces (Somoud) of a European tour by a delegation of its leadership beginning on 20 January 2026, aimed at mobilizing international support to end the war.
Regarding human rights and the protection of civilians, YCON documented a concerning escalation in violations associated with the militarization of civilian spaces, the proliferation of armed actors, and the absence of accountability mechanisms. Reported violations included arbitrary arrests, random searches, restrictions on public freedoms, and the direct targeting of civilian gatherings and marketplaces, as well as serious violations against women in detention facilities.
On the humanitarian front, migration and displacement patterns during January 2026 reflect a complex and fluid landscape in which conflict-related displacement intersects with economic displacement within urban areas, alongside limited voluntary returns that lack the conditions necessary for sustainability.
Economically, January monitoring highlights the continued contraction of livelihoods, declining purchasing power, and persistent disruptions in supply chains as the month of Ramadan approaches. The states of Darfur, West Kordofan, and South Kordofan experienced acute liquidity shortages and a near-total disruption of the formal banking system, reinforcing reliance on foreign currencies and increasing the cost of financial transfers.
Socially, the fragility of the social fabric persisted, accompanied by a rise in hate speech in several states and a declining sense of safety.
Regarding education, the sector continued its downward trajectory, characterized by sharp geographical disparities. States experiencing relative stability were able to sustain a minimal level of educational continuity, while Darfur and Kordofan witnessed widespread disruption of formal education due to displacement, ongoing military operations, and the use of some schools as shelters. The examination crisis persisted, further exacerbating learning losses and increasing the risk of student dropout.
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