More than 60,000 Flee Sudan's City After Seizure by Rapid Support Forces Militia, United Nations Reports

Displaced people fleeing conflict in Sudan
Many seek to get to the settlement of Tawila but experience intimidation, extortion and abuse from armed men along the way

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

There have been summary killings and atrocities as paramilitary forces took control of the city after an extended siege marked by starvation and heavy bombardment.

The exodus of those escaping 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 spokesperson.

Refugees were narrating horrendous stories of violence, such as sexual violence, and the agency was having trouble to locate enough accommodation and nourishment for them.

Each child was suffering from malnutrition, she added.

Calculations indicate that over 150,000 individuals are currently stranded in el-Fasher, which had been the army's remaining fortress in the western region of Darfur.

The Rapid Support Forces has rejected broad allegations that the deaths in el-Fasher are based on ethnic factors and resemble a pattern of the Arab militia groups targeting non-Arab populations.

However the paramilitary group has arrested one of its militiamen, Abu Lulu, who has been accused of extrajudicial killings.

The organization shared footage revealing the militiaman's apprehension after verification that he was responsible for the death of several non-combatants in the vicinity of el-Fasher.

Video sharing service has acknowledged that it has removed the account associated with Lulu. Uncertainty exists whether he had controlled the profile in his identity.

Sudan was thrown into a domestic fighting in April 2023 following a brutal contest for control began between its military and the RSF.

The conflict has resulted in a food crisis and claims of genocide in the Darfur area.

Over 150,000 individuals have died in the conflict across the country, and about 12 million have abandoned their homes in what the United Nations has described as the world's largest humanitarian crisis.

The capture of el-Fasher reinforces the geographic split in the country, with the Rapid Support Forces now in command of western Sudan and a large portion of neighbouring Kordofan to the south, and the army occupying the capital, Khartoum, the center and east along the coastal region.

The two warring rivals had been collaborators - coming to power together in a seizure of power in 2021 - but fell out over an globally supported initiative to move towards democratic governance.

Crystal Hartman
Crystal Hartman

A software engineer and tech writer passionate about AI ethics and open-source projects, with over a decade of industry experience.