More than 60,000 Run from Sudanese City After Capture by Rapid Support Forces Paramilitary Group, UN Says

Displaced people escaping violence in the region
Many are trying to get to the settlement of Tawila but experience intimidation, demands for money and mistreatment from militiamen during their journey

According to the UNHCR, in excess of 60,000 civilians have fled the city in Sudan of el-Fasher, which was captured by the paramilitary RSF recently.

There have been mass executions and crimes against humanity as paramilitary forces stormed the city after an 18-month siege characterized by starvation and sustained attacks.

The exodus of those escaping the fighting towards the community of Tawila, roughly 80km (50 miles) west of el-Fasher, had grown in the last several days, as stated by UNHCR representative.

Refugees were telling horrendous stories of violence, such as sexual violence, and the humanitarian group was struggling to locate sufficient shelter and nourishment for them.

Each child was suffering from nutritional deficiencies, she added.

Estimates suggest that more than 150,000 individuals are still unable to leave in el-Fasher, which had been the military's final fortress in the western part of Darfur.

The RSF has rejected widespread allegations that the executions in el-Fasher are ethnically motivated and mirror a practice of the Arab militia groups targeting ethnic minorities.

However the paramilitary group has detained one of its members, Abu Lulu, who has been charged with summary executions.

The force distributed footage depicting the fighter's apprehension after identification that he was responsible for the execution of multiple non-combatants in the vicinity of el-Fasher.

Social media platform has verified that it has removed the profile connected to Lulu. The status remains unclear whether he had operated the account in his name.

Sudan was thrown into a civil war in April 2023 following a vicious power struggle broke out between its military and the RSF.

The conflict has resulted in a famine and accusations of mass killing in the western Darfur region.

Over 150,000 people have been killed in the war across the country, and roughly 12 million have fled their dwellings in what the UN has described as the biggest global humanitarian emergency.

The capture of el-Fasher solidifies the territorial division in the country, with the Rapid Support Forces now in dominance of western Sudan and significant areas of bordering Kordofan to the south, and the military occupying the main city, Khartoum, the center and east along the coastal region.

The two warring rivals had been partners - taking over together in a coup in 2021 - but fell out over an globally supported proposal to move towards civilian rule.

Kimberly Stark
Kimberly Stark

Elara is a seasoned explorer and writer, sharing insights from her global adventures to inspire others.