More than 60,000 Flee Sudan's City Following Capture by RSF Paramilitary Group, United Nations Says

Refugees fleeing violence in Sudan
Many are trying to get to the town of Tawila but experience intimidation, extortion and abuse from armed men along the way

According to the UNHCR, more than 60,000 people have escaped the Sudanese city of el-Fasher, which was seized by the militia Rapid Support Forces during the weekend.

Reports indicate multiple executions and atrocities as RSF fighters took control of the city after an year-and-a-half encirclement featuring famine and sustained attacks.

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

They were narrating horrendous tales of atrocities, including sexual violence, and the organization was having trouble to find enough housing and food for them.

All children was experiencing malnutrition, she added.

Calculations indicate that in excess of 150,000 residents are still stranded in el-Fasher, which had been the military's remaining bastion in the western part of Darfur.

The RSF has rejected broad claims that the killings in el-Fasher are based on ethnic factors and mirror a practice of the Arab militia groups focusing on ethnic minorities.

Nevertheless the RSF has detained one of its militiamen, Abu Lulu, who has been charged with on-the-spot executions.

The organization released recordings showing the militiaman's apprehension subsequent to verification that he was behind the killing of multiple unarmed men near el-Fasher.

Digital platform has confirmed that it has removed the channel linked to Lulu. It is not clear whether he had operated the account in his identity.

Sudan was plunged into a internal conflict in April 2023 when a intense contest for control erupted between its army and the RSF.

The conflict has led to a starvation emergency and accusations of mass killing in the western Sudan.

More than 150,000 persons have lost their lives in the war across the country, and approximately 12 million have left their homes in what the UN has described as the biggest global humanitarian emergency.

The capture of el-Fasher strengthens the geographic split in the country, with the RSF now in dominance of western Sudan and significant areas of bordering Kordofan to the southern area, and the army occupying the main city, Khartoum, central and eastern regions along the Red Sea.

The two warring rivals had been allies - taking over together in a seizure of power in 2021 - but fell out over an internationally backed initiative to move towards civilian leadership.

Natalie Jackson DDS
Natalie Jackson DDS

Lena is a digital productivity coach and writer with over a decade of experience helping professionals streamline their workflows.