Over 60,000 Escape Sudanese City After Seizure by Rapid Support Forces Paramilitary Group, United Nations Reports

Displaced people escaping conflict in the region
Many are attempting to reach the settlement of Tawila but encounter intimidation, demands for money and mistreatment from fighters during their journey

According to the United Nations refugee organization, more than 60,000 people have fled the city in Sudan of el-Fasher, which was captured by the paramilitary RSF over the weekend.

Accounts suggest multiple executions and atrocities as paramilitary forces entered the city following an extended blockade marked by food shortages and heavy bombardment.

The flow of those fleeing the violence towards the community of Tawila, approximately 80km (50 miles) to the west of el-Fasher, had increased in the last several days, as stated by United Nations refugee agency representative.

Survivors were describing shocking tales of violence, such as sexual violence, and the agency was having trouble to secure adequate housing and supplies for them.

Each child was experiencing nutritional deficiencies, she added.

Calculations indicate that more than 150,000 residents are currently unable to leave in el-Fasher, which had been the army's last bastion in the western part of Darfur.

The RSF has denied extensive accusations that the deaths in el-Fasher are driven by ethnicity and mirror a trend of the Arab fighters attacking non-Arab populations.

Yet the paramilitary group has detained one of its fighters, Abu Lulu, who has been accused of summary executions.

The force released footage showing the fighter's detention following verification that he was involved in the execution of numerous non-combatants in the vicinity of el-Fasher.

Social media platform has confirmed that it has removed the channel connected to Lulu. It is not clear whether he had controlled the profile in his identity.

Sudan was plunged into a civil war in April 2023 following a brutal struggle for power broke out between its army and the Rapid Support Forces.

The conflict has led to a famine and allegations of ethnic cleansing in the Darfur area.

More than 150,000 individuals have been killed in the war around the country, and about 12 million have abandoned their residences in what the United Nations has called the most extensive humanitarian crisis.

The seizure of el-Fasher reinforces the regional separation in the country, with the Rapid Support Forces now in dominance of western Sudan and significant areas of neighbouring Kordofan to the southern area, and the army holding the capital, Khartoum, the center and east along the coastal region.

The two warring rivals had been partners - taking over together in a seizure of power in 2021 - but fell out over an foreign-endorsed plan to move towards civilian leadership.

Jasmine Leonard
Jasmine Leonard

A digital media strategist with over a decade of experience in streaming technology and content analysis.