War and the Silent Collapse of Higher Education in Sudan

By: Dr. Rifaat Mohamed Osman

Since April 2023, Sudan has been engulfed in a devastating war. While headlines focus on violence and displacement, another quiet crisis is unfolding—the near collapse of higher education.

Universities, once proud institutions that nurtured the country’s future leaders, now stand deserted, damaged, or even occupied. In many parts of the country, classes have stopped completely. Students are unable to attend lectures, sit for exams, or access libraries. Electricity, internet, and even physical safety are no longer guaranteed.

In a desperate attempt to keep education going, some universities have moved their classes abroad—to Egypt, Uganda, or beyond. While this may help a small number of students, it comes at a steep cost—financially and emotionally. Many families simply cannot afford to send their children abroad. Others are separated from their studies with no clear path back. The result? A generation of students left behind, their futures put on hold.

The damage goes beyond empty classrooms. War erodes trust—trust in institutions, in progress, and in the promise that education can offer a better life. When young people lose that hope, rebuilding becomes much harder.

So, what now? Even in conflict, we must protect learning. Universities outside war zones must expand access to remote learning. Sudanese academics abroad can help offer online teaching. International partners must provide scholarships and emergency support. And education must be seen as essential—not a luxury.

Sudan will rise again, but without educated minds, that rise will be slow and painful. The future of the country depends on its students. Let us not forget them.