In excess of 60,000 Escape Sudanese City After Takeover by Rapid Support Forces Paramilitary Group, UN Reports

Displaced people escaping violence in the region
Many are trying to reach the settlement of Tawila but experience harassment, extortion and mistreatment from fighters 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 crimes against humanity as RSF fighters entered the city after an year-and-a-half siege featuring famine and heavy bombardment.

The exodus of those fleeing the conflict towards the town of Tawila, roughly 80km (50 miles) to the west of el-Fasher, had increased in the recent days, according to UNHCR representative.

Refugees were telling shocking stories of violence, such as sexual violence, and the agency was struggling to secure sufficient accommodation and food for them.

Each child was experiencing undernourishment, she added.

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

The Rapid Support Forces has disputed widespread accusations that the killings in el-Fasher are ethnically motivated and follow a practice of the Arab militia groups focusing on non-Arab communities.

Nevertheless the paramilitary group has detained one of its militiamen, Abu Lulu, who has been accused of summary executions.

The force released recordings depicting the fighter's detention after verification that he was involved in the execution of numerous civilians close to el-Fasher.

Digital platform has verified that it has removed the account associated with Lulu. The status remains unclear whether he had operated the profile in his identity.

Sudan was entered a domestic fighting in April 2023 following a brutal struggle for power broke out between its army and the Rapid Support Forces.

This has caused a famine and allegations of mass killing in the western Sudan.

In excess of 150,000 persons have died in the fighting around the country, and about 12 million have left their residences in what the UN has described as the world's largest humanitarian crisis.

The capture of el-Fasher solidifies the regional separation in the country, with the Rapid Support Forces now in command of the western region and much of bordering Kordofan to the southern area, and the military controlling the capital, Khartoum, central and eastern regions along the coastal region.

The competing factions had been collaborators - coming to power together in a coup in 2021 - but disagreed over an globally supported initiative to transition to civilian leadership.

Stacy Clark
Stacy Clark

Elara is a seasoned lifestyle writer and wellness coach with a passion for exploring global cultures and sustainable living.