In excess of 60,000 Flee Sudanese City Following Capture by Rapid Support Forces Militia, United Nations Reports

Displaced people escaping conflict in Sudan
Many are trying to get to the town of Tawila but encounter harassment, extortion and mistreatment from fighters during their journey

Per the UN refugee agency, over 60,000 people have escaped the city in Sudan of el-Fasher, which was taken over by the paramilitary RSF over the weekend.

Reports indicate mass executions and human rights violations as militia members took control of the city after an 18-month blockade marked by starvation and intense shelling.

The movement of those fleeing the conflict towards the community of Tawila, approximately 80km (50 miles) to the west of el-Fasher, had increased in the last several days, per United Nations refugee agency spokesperson.

Refugees were telling shocking accounts of abuses, featuring sexual violence, and the humanitarian group was finding it difficult to find sufficient shelter and food for them.

Every child was experiencing malnutrition, she commented.

Calculations indicate that over 150,000 people are still unable to leave in el-Fasher, which had been the military's last stronghold in the western part of Darfur.

The RSF has rejected broad accusations that the executions in el-Fasher are driven by ethnicity and resemble a trend of the Arab fighters focusing on non-Arab communities.

Yet the paramilitary group has custodied one of its fighters, Abu Lulu, who has been implicated in on-the-spot executions.

The group released video revealing the member's arrest after confirmation that he was behind the execution of several civilians close to el-Fasher.

Digital platform has confirmed that it has suspended the account connected to Lulu. Uncertainty exists whether he had managed the profile in his identity.

Sudan was thrown into a internal conflict in April 2023 after a brutal power struggle erupted between its army and the Rapid Support Forces.

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

Over 150,000 people have lost their lives in the conflict throughout the country, and roughly 12 million have fled their homes in what the United Nations has termed the biggest global humanitarian emergency.

The takeover of el-Fasher reinforces the territorial division in the country, with the Rapid Support Forces now in command of western Sudan and a large portion of neighbouring Kordofan to the southern area, and the army occupying the main city, Khartoum, the center and east along the Red Sea.

The competing factions had been partners - gaining control together in a takeover in 2021 - but disagreed over an globally supported plan to advance to democratic governance.

Sarah Jackson
Sarah Jackson

A Berlin-based tech journalist and software developer with over 8 years of experience in digital innovation and cybersecurity.