In a devastating turn of events, over 60,000 people have fled the Sudanese city of el-Fasher after it was captured by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This recent escalation in violence follows an 18-month siege that saw the region endure starvation and relentless bombardment, according to the United Nations refugee agency.
The UNHCR’s Eujin Byun reported an alarming increase in the number of displaced individuals seeking refuge in the town of Tawila, located approximately 80 kilometers west of el-Fasher. Many fleeing the chaos have recounted horrific experiences of atrocities, including reports of rape and mass executions. The agency is currently struggling to meet the urgent needs for shelter and food, with every child exhibiting signs of malnutrition.
As the humanitarian crisis deepens, it is estimated that over 150,000 individuals remain trapped in el-Fasher, once seen as the army's last stronghold in the western region of Darfur. The RSF has faced accusations of perpetrating ethnically motivated violence, but they have denied these allegations, insisting on their commitment to law and order.
Concurrently, a militiaman known as Abu Lulu has been detained by the RSF for alleged summary executions, which was captured on video. The exploration of social media in addressing these incidents has gained traction, demonstrating the impact of technology on reporting human rights abuses.
This ongoing civil strife began in April 2023, ignited by a power struggle between the army and the RSF, plunging Sudan into chaos and creating the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, with more than 150,000 lives claimed and around 12 million people displaced nationwide.
As the RSF consolidates control over western Sudan and the Kordofan region, while the army maintains its presence in the capital Khartoum, the conflict reflects a significant geopolitical division within the Sudanese state. The two factions, once allies during the 2021 coup, have now become embroiled in a struggle that threatens to deteriorate further.
