Over 60,000 Flee Sudan's City Following Seizure by RSF Paramilitary Group, United Nations Reports

Refugees escaping violence in Sudan
Numerous are attempting to reach the town of Tawila but experience intimidation, demands for money and mistreatment from fighters during their journey

According to the UN refugee agency, over 60,000 civilians have escaped the Sudanese city of el-Fasher, which was captured by the paramilitary RSF over the weekend.

Reports indicate multiple executions and crimes against humanity as paramilitary forces took control of the city after an 18-month encirclement characterized by starvation and sustained attacks.

The movement of those running from the violence towards the town of Tawila, roughly 80km (50 miles) to the west of el-Fasher, had increased in the past few days, as stated by United Nations refugee agency representative.

Survivors were telling shocking accounts of violence, featuring sexual violence, and the agency was finding it difficult to secure enough accommodation and supplies for them.

Each child was affected by malnutrition, she noted.

Calculations indicate that over 150,000 residents are currently stranded in el-Fasher, which had been the military's last stronghold in the western region of Darfur.

The Rapid Support Forces has disputed widespread allegations that the deaths in el-Fasher are driven by ethnicity and resemble a pattern of the Arab paramilitaries focusing on non-Arab populations.

Nevertheless the paramilitary group has arrested one of its militiamen, Abu Lulu, who has been implicated in extrajudicial killings.

The force distributed video revealing the fighter's apprehension subsequent to verification that he was responsible for the killing of several civilians near el-Fasher.

Digital platform has confirmed that it has banned the channel linked to Lulu. Uncertainty exists whether he had managed the account in his identity.

Sudan was thrown into a internal conflict in April 2023 when a intense struggle for power began between its army and the RSF.

This has caused a famine and claims of ethnic cleansing in the western Sudan.

In excess of 150,000 persons have lost their lives in the war across the country, and approximately 12 million have abandoned their homes in what the UN has termed the most extensive humanitarian emergency.

The capture of el-Fasher solidifies the regional separation in the country, with the RSF now in command of western Sudan and much of adjacent Kordofan to the southern area, and the army controlling the capital, Khartoum, the center and east along the coastal region.

The competing factions had been collaborators - coming to power together in a takeover in 2021 - but disagreed over an globally supported initiative to move towards democratic governance.

Anna Peters
Anna Peters

Maya Sterling is a leadership coach and innovation strategist with over 15 years of experience helping organizations and individuals achieve transformative growth.