West Darfur

West Darfur State (Arabic: ولاية غرب دارفور Wilāyat Ḡarb Dārfūr), historically Dar Masalit (Arabic: دار مساليت),^[4] is one of the states of Sudan, and one of five comprising the Darfur region. Prior to the creation of two new states in January 2012, it had an area of 79,460 km² and an estimated population of approximately 1,775,945 in 2018. It borders North and Central Darfur to the east. The Chadian prefectures of Biltine and Ouaddaï lie to the west, while to the north is the prefecture of Bourkou-Ennedi-Tibesti. Al-Junaynah is the capital of the state. West Darfur has been the site of much of the Darfur conflict.^[5]

West Darfur State ولاية غرب دارفور Gharb Darfor
State
Travelers in West Darfur
Flag Seal
Location in Sudan.
Coordinates: 12°53′N 22°58′E
Country	Sudan
Region	Darfur
Capital	Geneina
Government
• Governor	Al-Tijani Karshoum [a][1]
Area
• Total	79,460 km2 (30,680 sq mi)
Population  (2018)
• Total	1,775,945[2]
Time zone	UTC+2 (CAT)
HDI (2017)	0.439[3] low

During the 2023 Sudan conflict, ethnic violence has been rampant across the region.^[6] This has included several Masalit massacres.

Settlements

• Beida
• Foro Baranga
• Geneina
• Jebel Moon
• Kreinik
• Misterei
• Kango Haraza
• Shukri
• Sirba

Notes

1. His governorship is contested by Bahr al-Din Adam Karama as part of the ongoing conflict in Sudan. On Saturday, July 27th 2024 The Chairman of the Sovereignty Council and Commander-in-Chief of the Army, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, signed a decree appointing Bahr al-Din Adam Karama as governor of West Darfur State. This decision effectively removed Al-Tijani Karshoum who was the current acting governor. Al-Tijani Karshoum made clear that he did not recognize the legitimacy of Burhans decree. He also made clear that he had no intentions of leaving/ceding/surrendering his governorship. As of 2025 Al-Tijani Karshoum continues to occupy the governors residence, meet with the press, claim the title of governor, and exercise the full powers and duties of the office. He does so with the tacit support/backing of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) who are the de facto authorities in all of West Darfur State. As such Bahr al-Din Adam Karama does not have any actual power other than having been given the title of governor by Al-Burhan. For all of these reasons Al-Tijani Karshoum remains the actual or effectual governor of West Darfur.