Sudan
Context: Sudanese Rapid Support Forces (RSF) claimed control over a strategic border zone with Libya and Egypt amid ongoing civil war; Sudanese military evacuated the area, accusing Libyan commander Khalifa Hifter of supporting RSF in an act of blatant aggression against Sudan.
Important Pointers:
Location: Sudan is a country in northeastern Africa.
Bordering Countries: Shares borders with South Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Egypt, Libya, Chad, and the Central African Republic.
Geographic Features: Lies between the Sahara Desert in the north and the forests of West Africa and the Congo River basin in the south.
Coastline: Has a significant coastline along the Red Sea, providing access to the Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea via the Suez Canal.
Capital City: Khartoum, located at the confluence of the Blue Nile and White Nile rivers.
Currency: Sudanese Pound (SDG).
Colonial History: Was under joint British-Egyptian rule from 1899; functioned effectively as a British colony.
Independence: Gained independence from Anglo-Egyptian co-rule in 1956.
Political History: Dominated by military regimes favouring Islamic-oriented governments since independence.
South Sudan Connection: Included South Sudan until its secession in 2011.
Past Size: Before 2011, Sudan was the largest country in Africa, covering over 8% of Africa and nearly 2% of the world's land area.
Topography: Mostly composed of deserts, arid grasslands, massive plains, and plateaus.