What ongoing conflict in the Sahel region saw a major international peace summit held in Addis Ababa in February 2026?

The devastating civil war in Sudan was the focus of a major international peace summit held in Addis Ababa in February 2026. This ongoing conflict, which erupted in April 2023, pits the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in a brutal power struggle. The African Union (AU) summit provided a critical platform for African leaders and international mediators to address the escalating crisis and seek pathways to peace for the embattled nation.

The roots of the current conflict in Sudan are complex, stemming from a 2021 military coup and subsequent tensions over the integration of the RSF into the regular army. Since fighting began, the country has plunged into a severe humanitarian catastrophe, with widespread violence, displacement, and a looming famine. Millions of people have been uprooted from their homes, becoming either internally displaced or refugees in neighboring countries, exacerbating an already dire situation in the broader Sahel region.

The Sahel, a vast semi-arid belt stretching across Africa, including Sudan, has long grappled with instability, climate change impacts, and various armed conflicts. The situation in Sudan adds another layer of complexity to this challenging region, making the international community's efforts to find a lasting resolution all the more urgent. The Addis Ababa summit underscored the global concern for Sudan's future and the imperative of a coordinated approach to alleviate suffering and restore stability.