More than 60,000 Escape Sudanese City Following Takeover by Rapid Support Forces Paramilitary Group, UN Reports

Refugees escaping violence in the region
Many are attempting to reach the settlement of Tawila but experience harassment, demands for money and mistreatment from militiamen along the way

According to the UNHCR, in excess of 60,000 people have escaped the Sudanese city of el-Fasher, which was captured by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces over the weekend.

There have been summary killings and human rights violations as RSF fighters stormed the city after an year-and-a-half siege characterized by famine and intense shelling.

The exodus of those escaping the fighting towards the community of Tawila, about 80km (50 miles) west of el-Fasher, had accelerated in the recent days, according to United Nations refugee agency spokesperson.

Survivors were describing horrendous tales of violence, such as rape, and the humanitarian group was finding it difficult to find sufficient accommodation and supplies for them.

Each child was suffering from undernourishment, she noted.

Calculations indicate that more than 150,000 residents are currently stranded in el-Fasher, which had been the army's final stronghold in the western region of Darfur.

The RSF has denied widespread claims that the executions in el-Fasher are ethnically motivated and resemble a practice of the Arab paramilitaries attacking non-Arab communities.

Yet the RSF has detained one of its fighters, Abu Lulu, who has been implicated in extrajudicial killings.

The organization released recordings depicting the member's arrest subsequent to identification that he was responsible for the death of multiple civilians near el-Fasher.

Video sharing service has verified that it has removed the channel associated with Lulu. It is not clear whether he had managed the account in his identity.

Sudan was thrown into a internal conflict in April 2023 when a brutal contest for control broke out between its army and the Rapid Support Forces.

This has resulted in a famine and accusations of ethnic cleansing in the western Sudan.

Over 150,000 individuals have died in the conflict throughout the country, and approximately 12 million have left their residences in what the UN has called the most extensive humanitarian disaster.

The takeover of el-Fasher strengthens the territorial division in the country, with the RSF now in dominance of western Sudan and much of neighbouring Kordofan to the south, and the army holding the main city, Khartoum, central and eastern areas along the coastal region.

The competing factions had been allies - coming to power together in a seizure of power in 2021 - but disagreed over an internationally backed plan to advance to civilian leadership.

Tina Thompson
Tina Thompson

A tech strategist with over 15 years in IT consulting, specializing in digital transformation and cybersecurity for enterprises.